Lastly (although we rely not thereon) we will not omit that conceit urged by learned men, that _Adam_ was elder then _Methuselah_; inasmuch as he was created in the perfect age of man, which was in those days 50 or 60 years, for about that time we read that they begat children; so that if unto 930 we add 60 years, he will exceed _Methuselah_. And therefore if not in length of days, at least in old age he surpassed others; he was older then all, who was never so young as any. For though he knew old age, he was never acquainted with puberty, youth or Infancy; and so in a strict account he begat children at one year old. And if the usual compute will hold, that men are of the same age which are born within compass of the same year, _Eve_ was as old as her husband and parent _Adam_, and _Cain_ their son coetaneous unto both. Now that conception, that no man did ever attain unto a thousand years, because none should ever be one day old in the sight of the Lord, unto whom according to that of _David_, A thousand years are but one day, doth not advantage _Methuselah_. And being deduced from a popular expression, which will not stand a _Metaphysical_ and strict examination, is not of force to divert a serious enquirer. For unto God a thousand years are no more then one moment, and in his sight _Methuselah_ lived no nearer one day then _Abel_, for all parts of time are alike unto him, unto whom none are referrible; and all things present, unto whom nothing is past or to come. And therefore, although we be measured by the Zone of time, and the flowing and continued instants thereof, do weave at last a line and circle about the eldest: yet can we not thus commensurate the sphere of _Trismegistus_; or sum up the unsuccessive and stable duration of God. CHAPTER IV That there was no Rain-bow before the Flood.