hough their works are most diverse.

38. Think not that because Noah built an altar, you may do likewise;
but follow the faith of Noah, who thought it right to show his
merciful Savior that he understood his beneficent gifts, and was
grateful for them. Follow Abraham, not in slaying your son, but in
believing the promises of God, and in obeying his commandments. The
epistle to the Hebrews fitly refers the deeds and acts of the fathers
to their faith, setting forth that we should follow their faith.

B. NOAH'S SACRIFICE.

1. Whether Noah was commanded to offer a sacrifice and in what way
sacrificing is justified 39-41.

* Have monks divine command to support their order 40.

* Shall we find fault with the works of saints, for which they
apparently had no command 41.

* How in all works we should have respect for God's command 42.

* Lyra's unfounded thoughts on the words, "Be fruitful" etc. 43.

* Why Moses said so much about their leaving the ark 44.

2. Noah's sacrifice proves Moses did not originate the idea of
sacrifice 45-46.

3. Why Noah's sacrifice was pleasing to God 47-48.

* The meaning of "sweet savor" 47-48.

4. How it can be said God "smelled the sweet savor", and why this
form of speech used 49-50.

B. NOAH'S SACRIFICE.

39. The objection under consideration can be invalidated by the
rejoinder that Noah did have a command to erect an altar and offer
sacrifices. God approved the rite of sacrifice by ordering that more
of the clean animals--suitable for sacrifice--should be taken into the
ark. Nor was Noah permitted to cast aside the office of the
priesthood, which had been established by the Word before the flood
and had come down to him by the right of primogeniture. Adam, Seth,
Enoch and others had been priests. From them Noah possessed the office
of the priesthood as an inheritance.

40. Therefore Noah, as priest and prophet, was not only at liberty to
offer sacrifice, but he was under obligation to do so by virtue of his
calling. Since his calling was founded on God's Word, in harmony with
that Word and by God's command he built an altar and offered
sacrifices. Therefore let a monk prove it is his office and calling to
wear a cowl, to worship the blessed Virgin, to pray the rosary and do
like things, and we will commend his life. But since the call is
lacking, the Word is not the authority and the office does not exist,
th