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

ESDRAS a holy Priest and Scribe,¹ of the stock of Aaron,² by the line of Eleazar, wresteth the history of Gods people, in, and presently after their captivity in Babylon: Which Nehemias another godly Priest prosecuteth, 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 same³ 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 placeth it first, because it conteyneth things done before the other.

In the two here following,⁴ which are undoubtedly holy Scripture S. Jerom saith,⁵ 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, shew one thing in the bark, keep another thing in the marrow: signifying that this history hath both a literal, and a mystical sense. According to the letter, this first book sheweth the reduction of Gods⁶ people from Babylon; In the first six chapters. In the other four, their instruction by Esdras after their return.