Chapter XIV.
It happened during the spring time that the Flood occurred, so that people were more tormented by it; and in the six hundredth year of Noah, in order to coincide with the creation of humanity, the destruction of humanity occurred. Likewise, the Flood signifies the disruption of the mind and body through the bursting forth of the fountains of the deep and the cataracts of the sky.
48. There is also that thorough consideration, that in the six hundredth year of Noah, in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the flood occurs. It is not doubted that this time is in the second month of spring, when births increase, the fields give birth, and the offspring of both the earth and animals pour forth. Therefore, the flood happened when the pain of those who were being punished in their abundance was greater, then vengeance was more terrible, as if speaking the words of God: Behold, all things have been generated richly according to the grace of divine providence, everything has germinated on the earth more fertile for the use of humans, crops are seen, the fields are filled with wheat and barley, the branches of trees are adorned with future fruits through flowers: the earth does not lack in its duties, the animals do not lack in their gifts, which are paid regularly in births, so that nothing is lacking for humans. Only humans lack in their duties, they do not know their creator from whom all things are provided for them, they neglect their maker. The man despises his reward, when God has not despised his work. Let all things perish with man, on account of whom all things were born. Let the man be consumed in his own riches, when he dies with his wealth. The earth had committed no crime before man, it erred in no fruits: it recognizes in man alone that it has degenerated, bearing thorns and thistles instead of fruits. The only admirable gift, the chief of the mind has perished. Therefore, why are all those things preserved? Therefore, water is not poured over the gathered crops, so that the land does not feel more of a benefit than a flood. Finally, in the springtime among the Egyptians, but in a different month, the Nile overflows so that the earth may soften for sowing seeds, and the seeds that are cast may be received in a gentler lap, in a more gracious embrace. But the fact that the flood occurs in the six hundredth year of Noah seems to show that Adam was created on the sixth day. The same number, that is, the one that is called 'pair', is maintained both in the creator and in the restorer, because the source of the sixtieth and the six hundredth is the number of the sixth. However, it is said that it is both the first and the seventh month. But we must pay more attention to the first; because after the flood, in the springtime, the care of cultivating the fields is restored, and the fertility of the peaceful and fertile soil begins to progress. By this it is signified that God would never have brought destruction upon mankind in that number or time in which He made the beginning, unless He had been offended by monstrous crimes. At the same time, the reason for the forgiveness of time and number is promised; because, even when He is angry, He is reminded by the preceding causes of His benefits, not to completely destroy the substance of those whom He Himself has given.
49. And all the fountains of the deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened (Gen. VII, 11). The force of the deluge is appropriately expressed in the Scriptures, which say that both the sky and the earth were moved, from which elements this world's entire beginning consists. Therefore, the human race, enclosed on all sides by the rushing masses of water, is overwhelmed. This is according to the literal sense. But as for the deeper meaning, the symbol of the sky represents the human mind, and the designation of the earth represents the body and senses. Great therefore are the shipwrecks, when the whirlwind and storm of both the mind and the body and all the senses are mixed together. Let us carefully consider what has been said. The deceit of the mind and its cunning often exercise their own poison, but nevertheless the sobriety of the body and self-control overshadow the wickedness of the mind. Often the slippery mind is uncertain of its faith and opinion, but nevertheless the flesh is free from delights and luxury, so that frugality may excuse the error of the mind, just as there are many heretics who claim to have the self-control of the body in order to acquire the testimony of their sober flesh for the faith of their assertion: although they are slippery in perception, they are considered somewhat more excusable insofar as they are less shameful. But when the poisons of the mind and the corrupting contagions of bodily obscenity confuse every sense and power, and the soul, slippery with uncertain motion, reeks with the foul ink of malice, inflamed with the fury of cruelty, it is also incited to bodily vices. Even the greedy longing for wealth, impatient of moderate means, is precipitated into the desire for the destruction of another's well-being; then there is a great flood of passions overflowing all alike. Then folly, injustice, recklessness, depravity, and treachery seem to pour forth from the higher part of the mind like a cascade. From there burst forth from the earthly source of the body desire, drunkenness, lust, and finally the downfall of various crimes, which thoroughly weaken both the strength of the body and the vigor of the mind.