The First Book of Moses, Called Genesis.

Genesis: This word signifieth the beginning and generation of the creatures.

The Argument.

MOSES in effect declareth the things, which are here chiefly to be considered: First, that the world and all things therein were created by God, and that man being placed in this great tabernacle of the world to behold God’s wonderful works, and to praise his Name for the infinite graces, wherewith he had endued him, fell willingly from God through disobedience: who yet for his own mercies’ sake restored him to life, and confirmed him in the same by his promise of Christ to come, by whom he should overcome Satan, death, and hell.  Secondly, that the wicked, unmindful of God’s most excellent benefits, remained still in their wickedness, and so falling most horribly from sin to sin, provoked God, (who by his preachers called them continually to repentance,) at length to destroy the whole world.  Thirdly, he assureth us by the examples of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest of the Patriarchs, that his mercies never fail them, whom he chooseth to be his Church, and to profess his Name in earth, but in all their afflictions and persecutions he ever assisteth them, sendeth comfort, and delivereth them.  And because the beginning, increase, preservation, and success thereof might be only attributed to God, Moses sheweth by the example of Cain, Ishmael, Esau, and others, which were noble in man’s judgment, that this Church dependeth not on the estimation and nobility of the world: and also, by the fewness of them, which have at all times worshipped him purely according to his word, that it standeth not in the multitude, but in the poor and despised, in the small flock and little number, that man in his wisdom might be confounded, and the Name of God ever more praised.

The Second Book of Moses, Called Exodus.

[Exodus: This word signifieth the way out.]

The Argument.

AFTER that Jacob by God’s commandment, Gen. 46.3, had brought his family into Egypt, where they remained for the space of four hundred years, and of seventy persons grew to an infinite number, so that the King and the country grudged and endeavored both by tyranny and cruel slavery to suppress them, the Lord according to his promise, Gen. 15.14, had compassion of his Church and delivered them, but plagued their enemies in most strange and sundry sorts.  And the more that the tyranny of the wicked enraged against his Church, the more did his heavy judgments increase against them, till Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the same Sea, which gave an entry and passage to the children of God.  But as the ingratitude of man is great, so did they immediately forget God’s wonderful benefits; and albeit he had given them the Passover to be a sign and memorial of the same, yet they fell to distrust, and tempted God with sundry murmurings and grudgings against him and his ministers: sometimes moved with ambition, sometime for lack of drink or meat to content their lusts, sometime by idolatry, or such like.  Wherefore God visited them with sharp rods and plagues that by his corrections they might seek to him for remedy against his scourges and earnestly repent them for their rebellions and wickedness.  And because God loveth them to the end, whom he hath once begun to love, he punished them not according to their deserts [deservings], but dealt with them in great mercies, and ever with new benefits labored to overcome their malice: for he still governed them and gave them his word and Law, both concerning the manner of serving him, and also the form of judgments and civil policy: to the intent that they should not serve God after their own inventions, but according to that order, which his heavenly wisdom had appointed.

The Third Book of Moses, Called Leviticus.

Leviticus: Because in this book is chiefly intreated of the Levites, and of things pertaining to their office.

The Argument.

AS God daily by most singular benefits declared himself to be mindful of his Church, so he would not that they should have any occasion to trust in themselves, or depend upon others for lack of temporal things, or ought [anything] that belonged to his divine service and religion.  Therefore he ordained divers kinds of oblations and sacrifices, to assure them of forgiveness of their offenses, (if they offered them in true faith and obedience.)  Also he appointed their Priests and Levites, their apparel, offices, conversation, and portion: he shewed what feasts they should observe, and in what times.  Moreover he declared by these sacrifices and ceremonies that the reward of sin is death, and that without the blood of Christ the innocent Lamb there can be no forgiveness of sins.  And because they should give no place to their own inventions (which thing God most detesteth as appeareth by the terrible example of Nadab and Abihu,) he prescribed even to the least things, what they should do, as what beasts they should offer and eat; what diseases were contagious and to be avoided; what order they should take for all manner of filthiness and pollution; whose company they should flee; what marriages were lawful; and what politic laws were profitable.  Which things declared, he promised favour and blessing to them that kept his Laws, and threatened his curse to them that transgressed them.

The Fourth Book of Moses, Called Numbers.

Numbers: So called because of the diversity and multitude of numberings which are here chiefly contained.

The Argument.

FOrasmuch as God hath appointed that his Church in this world shall be under the cross, both because they should learn not to put their trust in worldly things, and also feel his comfort, when all other help faileth: he did not straightway bring his people, after their departure out of Egypt, into the land which he promised them: but led them to and fro for the space of forty years, and kept them in continual exercises before they enjoyed it, to try their faith, and to teach them to forget the world and to depend on him.  Which trial did greatly profit to discern the wicked and the hypocrites from the faithful and true servants of God, who served him with pure heart, whereas the other preferring their carnal affections to God’s glory, and making religion to serve their purpose, murmured when they lacked to content their lusts, and despised them whom God had appointed rulers over them.  By reason whereof they provoked God’s terrible judgments against them, and are set forth as a most notable example for all ages to beware how they abuse God’s word, prefer their own lusts to his will, or despise his ministers.  Notwithstanding God is ever true in his promise, and governeth his, by his holy Spirit, that either they fall not to such inconveniences, or else return to him quickly by true repentance: and therefore he continueth his graces toward them, he giveth them ordinances and instructions, as well for religion as outward policy: he preserveth them against all craft and conspiracy, and giveth them manifold victories against their enemies.  And to avoid all controversies that might arise, he taketh away the occasions, by dividing among all the tribes, both the land, which they had won, and that also which he had promised, as seemed best to his godly wisdom.

The Fifth Book of Moses, Called Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy: That is, a second law: so called, because the Law which God gave in mount Sinai is here repeated, as though it were a new Law and this book is a commentary or exposition of the ten commandments.

The Argument.

THe wonderful love of God toward his Church is lively set forth in this book.  For albeit through their ingratitude and sundry rebellions against God, for the space of forty years, Deut. 9.7, they had deserved to have been cut off from the number of his people, and forever to have been deprived of the use of his holy word, and sacraments; yet he did ever preserve his Church even for his own mercies’ sake, and would still have his Name called upon among them.  Wherefore he bringeth them into the land of Canaan, destroyeth their enemies, giveth them their country, towns, and goods, and exhorteth them by the example of their fathers (whose infidelity, idolatry, adultery, murmurings, and rebellion, he had most sharply punished,) to fear and obey the Lord, to embrace and keep his law without adding thereunto or diminishing therefrom.  For by his word he would be known to be their God, and they his people: by his word he would govern his Church, and by the same they should learn to obey him: by his word he would discern the false Prophet from the true, light from darkness, error from knowledge, and his own people from all other nations and infidels: teaching them thereby to refuse and detest, destroy and abolish whatsoever is not agreeable to his holy will, seem it otherwise never so good or precious in the eyes of man.  And for this cause God promised to raise up Kings and governours for setting forth of this word and preservation of his Church; giving unto them an especial charge for the exercising thereof: whom therefore he willeth to exercise themselves diligently in the continual study and meditation of the same, that they might learn to fear the Lord, love their subjects, abhor covetousness and vice, and whatsoever offendeth the majesty of God.  And as he had [here]tofore instructed their fathers in all things appertaining both to his spiritual service and also for the maintenance of that society which is between men, so he prescribeth here anew, all such laws and ordinances which either concern his Divine service, or else are necessary for a commonwealth: appointing unto every estate and degree their charge and duty; as well how to rule and live in the fear of God, as to nourish friendship toward their neighbours, and to preserve that order which God hath established among men; threatening withal, most horrible plagues to them that transgress his commandments, and promising all blessings and felicity to such as observe and obey them.