Again, There was no inconvenience in the shape assumed, or any considerable impediment that might disturb that performance in the common form of a Serpent. For whereas it is conceived the woman must needs be afraid thereof, and rather flie than approach it; it was not agreeable unto the condition of Paradise and state of innocency therein; if in that place as most determine, no creature was hurtful or terrible unto man, and those destructive effects they now discover succeeded the curse, and came in with thorns and briars. And therefore _Eugubinus_ (who affirmeth this Serpent was a Basilisk) incurreth no absurdity, nor need we infer that _Eve_ should be destroyed immediately upon that Vision. For noxious animals could offend them no more in the Garden, than _Noah_ in the Ark: as they peaceably received their names, so they friendly possessed their natures: and were their conditions destructive unto each other, they were not so unto man, whose constitutions then were antidotes, and needed not fear poisons. And if (as most conceive) there were but two created of every kind, they could not at that time destroy either man or themselves; for this had frustrated the command of multiplication, destroyed a species, and imperfected the Creation. And therefore also if Cain were the first man born, with him entred not only the act, but the first power of murther; for before that time neither could the Serpent nor _Adam_ destroy _Eve_; nor _Adam_ and _Eve_ each other; for that had overthrown the intention of the world, and put its Creator to act the sixt day over again. Moreover, Whereas in regard of speech, and vocal conference with _Eve_, it may be thought he would rather assume an humane shape and organs, then the improper form of a serpent; it implies no material impediment. Nor need we to wonder how he contrived a voice out of the mouth of a Serpent, who hath done the like out of the belly of a Pythonissa, and the trunk of an Oak; as he did for many years at _Dodona_. [Sidenote: _Why_ Eve _wondered not at the serpents speaking_.] Lastly, Whereas it might be conceived that an humane shape was fitter for this enterprise; it being more than probable she would be amazed to hear a Serpent speak; some conceive she might not yet be certain that only man was priviledged with speech; and being in the novity of the Creation, and inexperience of all things, might not be affrighted to hear a Serpent speak. Beside she might be ignorant of their natures, who was not versed in their names, as being not present at the general survey of Animals, when _Adam_ assigned unto every one a name concordant unto its nature. Nor is this my opinion, but the determination of _Lombard_ and _Tostatus_; and also the reply of _Cyril_ unto the objection of _Julian_, who compared this story unto the fables of the _Greeks_. CHAPTER V Of the Picture of _Adam_ and _Eve_ with Navels.