ntion of this
flood, and of this ark; among whom is Berosus the Chaldean. For when he
is describing the circumstances of the flood, he goes on thus: "It is
said there is still some part of this ship in Armenia, at the mountain
of the Cordyaeans; and that some people carry off pieces of the bitumen,
which they take away, and use chiefly as amulets for the averting of
mischiefs." Hieronymus the Egyptian also, who wrote the Phoenician
Antiquities, and Mnaseas, and a great many more, make mention of the
same. Nay, Nicolaus of Damascus, in his ninety-sixth book, hath a
particular relation about them; where he speaks thus: "There is a
great mountain in Armenia, over Minyas, called Baris, upon which it is
reported that many who fled at the time of the Deluge were saved; and
that one who was carried in an ark came on shore upon the top of it; and
that the remains of the timber were a great while preserved. This might
be the man about whom Moses the legislator of the Jews wrote."

7. But as for Noah, he was afraid, since God had determined to destroy
mankind, lest he should drown the earth every year; so he offered
burnt-offerings, and besought God that nature might hereafter go on in
its former orderly course, and that he would not bring on so great a
judgment any more, by which the whole race of creatures might be in
danger of destruction: but that, having now punished the wicked, he
would of his goodness spare the remainder, and such as he had hitherto
judged fit to be delivered from so severe a calamity; for that otherwise
these last must be more miserable than the first, and that they must be
condemned to a worse condition than the others, unless they be suffered
to escape entirely; that is, if they be reserved for another deluge;
while they must be afflicted with the terror and sight of the first
deluge, and must also be destroyed by a second. He also entreated God to
accept of his sacrifice, and to grant that the earth might never again
undergo the like effects of 'his wrath; that men might be permitted
to go on cheerfully in cultivating the same; to build cities, and live
happily in them; and that they might not be deprived of any of those
good things which they enjoyed before the Flood; but might attain to the
like length of days, and old age, which the ancient people had arrived
at before.

8. When Noah had made these supplications, God, who loved the man for
his righteousness, granted entire success to his prayers, a