Crow And Dove

Cumque transissent quadraginta dies, aperiens Noe fenestram arcæ, quam fecerat, dimisit corvum... Quod post dies quadraginta emissus corvus non est reversus, aut aquis utique interceptus, aut aliquo supernatante cadavere illectus, significat homines immunditia cupiditatis teterrimos, et ob hoc ad ea quae foris sunt in hoc mundo ire: aut rebaptizari, quasi aut praeter arcam, id est praeter Ecclesiam, baptismus prosit, ut occidant et seducant, docere et tenere. Quod columba emissa, non inventa requie, reversa est, ostendit per Novum Testamentum requiem sanctis in hoc mundo non esse promissam. Post quadraginta enim dies emissa est; qui numerus vitam quae in hoc mundo agitur significat. Sanctus Isidorus Hispalensis, Mysticorum Expositiones Sacramentorum Seu Quaestiones In Vetus Testamentum, In Genesin, Caput VII Source: Migne PL 83.233c-d

When forty days had passed, Noah opened the window on the ark which he had made, and sent forth a crow... 1 When after forty days the crow that was sent out did not return, either it was seized by the waters, or it was allured by some corpse floating on the waters, which signifies men most repulsive because of vile desires, and because of this they go to those things which are outside in this world, and are rebaptized, as if outside the ark, that is, except for the Church, baptism profits, so that they might destroy and seduce and teach and hold. That the dove was sent out and found nowhere to rest and returned, shows through the New Testament that rest is not promised to the holy in this world. 2 For it was sent out after forty days, which number signifies the span of life in this world. Saint Isidore of Seville, Expositions of Sacred Mysteries or Questions on the Old Testament, On Genesis, Chapter 7 1 Gen 8.6 2 cf Jn 14.27, Mt 8.20