Page:The Holy Bible faithfvlly translated into English ovt of the authentical Latin, diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greek, & other Editions in diuers languages.pdf/15

Rh , and sent the Holy-Ghost, to teach al truth. For if any thing more then others, assuredly one chief and most necessary point is, to know and declare which Books are Gods holy word, being of most singular importance.

as it is distinguished from the new.

otwithstanding the subject, and general argument of both Testaments is one and the same in substance, as is already said, yet they differ in time, in manner of uttering of Mysteries, in variety of precepts and promises, also in meanes to observe the things exacted, and to attaine to the end proposed. In regard whereof S. Hierom saith: ''Lex Moysi and omne vetus instrumentum elementa mundi intelliguntur, quibus quasi elementis et Religionis exordiis Deum diseimus. The law of Moyses and al the old Testament are understood the elements of the world, by which, as by first rudiments and beginnings, we learne to know God. For that in it we have first the law of nature, and afterwards a law written, with promises of temporal rewards; as long life, and land flowing with milke and hony, and the like; but it brought nothing to perfection, as S. Paul saith, when guifts and hostes were offered, which could not according to conscience make the observer perfect''. For the helps of that time were but infirma et egena elementa: weake and poore elements. Likewise in general, touching the punishements that sometimes happened to the people of the old Testament, when they transgressed, the same Apostle affirmeth, that al the same chanced to them in figure, and are written for our correption, upon whom the ends of the world are come. So that the old Testament or Law, was but our pedagogue in Christ. Yet it setteth forth to us the whole course of Gods Church, for the space of foure thousand yeares, that is, from the beginning of the world until Christ our redeemer, which Divines divide into six Ages, wherein was variety and change of her state, three under the Law of nature, and three others under the written Law. The seventh and last Age being this time of grace (wherein we now are) from Christ, to the day of general Judgement: as the world was made in six days, and in the seventh God is said to have rested, and therefore sanctified it, in other sort then the former six. The eight wil be after the Resurrection, during for al eternity.

$a$ Which six Ages of the ancient Church and old Testament, are thus distributed. The first from the Creation to Noes floud, conteined the space of 1656. yeares. The second from the floud to the going of Abraham out of his country, 368. or counting Cainan (Gen. 11. juxta 72. and Luc. 3) 398. yeares. The third from Abraham his going forth of his country, to the parting of the children of Israel out of Ægypt. Which some count to have continued 720. yeares, others (whom we folow) but 430. And thus farre in the law of nature before the Rh