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his first Book of holy Scripture, called Genesis, which signifieth birth or beginning, was written by Moyses, when he was designed by God to instruct and rule the children of Israel: As also the other foure books following. The Authour and authority of al which fiue books were euer acknowledged by the faithful both of the old and new Testament: and so accounted 'and esteemed by tradition, til Christ and his Apostles: who also confirmed them by their testimonies and allegations of the same, as of holy Scriptures. From the creation vntil Moyses writ (which was aboue two thousand and foure hundred yeares) the Church exercised Religion by reuelations made to certaine Patriarchs, and by Traditions from man to man, without any Scriptures or Law written. But the peculiar people of God being more visibly separated from other nations, and many errours abounding in the world, God would for correction and confutation thereof haue his wil made further knowen to his children, and so remaine amongst them in written record, by his faithful seruant and Prophet Moyses. Who therefore declareth the Authour and beginning of al things, that is, How al creatures were made by God, and of him haue their being, and by him only are conserued. He teacheth expresly that there is one only God, against those that imagined and brought into the phantasies of men many Gods. That the whole or vniuersal substance of heauen and earth, with their ornaments and accidents, were made in time; against those that thought the first foundation thereof had euer been. That God doth gouerne the same; against those that say, al is ruled by destiny or by the starres, and not by the continual prouidence of God. That God is a rewarder of the good, and a punisher of euil, which sinners seem either not to know, or grosly to forget. And that God created al for mans vse and benefit, which should make vs grateful. Wherefore holy Moyses more particularly describeth the beginning of man; what he was at first; how he fel; how al mankind is come of one man: deducing the Genealogy of Adam, especially to Noe. Then how men being more and more defiled vpon the earth. with wicked, especially carnal sinnes, were by Gods iust wrath drowned with a vniuersal floud.

Againe, how a few reserued persons multiplied the world anew. But this offspring also falling into many sinnes, especially Idolatry and spiritual fornication, as those of the first Age did to carnal offences, God stil conserued some faithful and true seruants. Of which Moyses specially pursueth the line of Noe by Sem his first begotten sonne. Then describeth the particular vocations, liues, manners, notable sayings, and noble facts, with sincere religion of Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Ioseph, and other holy Patriarchs: who liued before the written law. Likewise vpon what occasion, and in what manner Iacob, otherwise called Israel, with al his progeny, descended from the Land of Canaan into Aegypt, and were there entertained. So this book containeth the history of two thousand three hundred and odde yeares. And it may be diuided into eight parts. The first containeth the Rh