As Augustine teaches,
there are two things to be observed in questions
of this kind. First, that the
truth of Scripture be inviolably
maintained. Second, since Divine
Scripture may be explained
in many ways, that no one cling to any particular
exposition with such pertinacity that, if what he supposed to be the teaching of Scripture
should turn out to be plainly
false, he would nevertheless presume to put it forward; lest thereby Sacred Scripture
should be exposed to the derision
of unbelievers, and the way of salvation should be closed to them.
Aquinas,
On the Work of the Second
Day