1 Esdras — Argument of the Books of Esdras (Modern Spelling)

ESDRAS a holy Priest and Scribe, of the stock of Aaron, by the line of Eleazar, wrests the history of Gods people, in, and presently after their captivity in Babylon: Which Nehemias another godly Priest prosecutes, whose book is also called the second of Esdras, because in the Hebrew and Greek they are but one book, relating the acts of them both. The other two books called the third and fourth of Esdras, touching the same matter, are not in the Hebrew, nor received into the Canon of holy Scripture, though the Greek Church hold the third book as Canonical, and places it first, because it contains things done before the other.

In the two here following, which are undoubtedly holy Scripture S. Jerom says, that Esdras and Nehemias (to wit the Helper, and Comforter from God) restored the Temple, and built the walls of the city; adding that all the troop of the people returning into their country, also the description of Priests, Levites, Israelites, Proselytes, and the works of walls and towers divided by several families, aliud in cortice praeferunt, aliud in medulla retinent, show one thing in the bark, keep another thing in the marrow: signifying that this history has both a literal, and a mystical sense. According to the letter, this first book shows the reduction of Gods people from Babylon; In the first six chapters. In the other four, their instruction by Esdras after their return.

Marginal notes (printed p. 943)

• 2 Esdras 7. (left margin, beside the opening "Esdras")
• The two books of Esdras and Nehemias are but one in the Hebrew. (right margin)
• The third and fourth are not canonical. (right margin)
• Epist. ad Paulin. (left margin, beside "S. Jerom says")
• This history has also a spiritual sense. (right margin)
• First book divided into two parts. (right margin)