AS the Lord is euer merciful vnto his Church, and doeth not puniſh them, but to the intent they ſhoulde ſe their owne miſeries, and be exerciſed vnder the croſſe, that they might contemne the worlde and aſpire vnto the heauens. ſo after that he had viſited the Iewes and kept thẽ now in bondage ſeuentie yeres in a ſtrange countrey among infideles and idolaters, he remembred his tendre mercies and their infirmities, and therefore for his owne ſake raiſed them vp a deliuerer, and moued bothe the heart of the chief ruler to pitie them, and alſo by him puniſhed ſuche, which had kept them in ſeruitude. Notwithſtanding leſt they ſhoulde growe into a contempt of Gods great benefite, he kepeth them ſtil in exerciſe, and raiſeth domeſtical enemies, which endeuour as muche as they can to hindre their moſte worthie enterpriſes: yet by the exhortacion of the Prophetes they went forward by litle and litle til their worke was finiſhed. The autor of this boke was Ezrá, who was Prieſt, and ſcribe of the Law, as chap. 7, 6. he returned to Ieruſalém the ſixt yere of Darius, who ſucceded Cyrus, that is, more then fourtie yeres after the returne of the firſt vnder Zerubbabél, when the Temple was buylt He broght with him a great companie, and muche treaſures, with letters to the Kings officers for all ſuche things as ſhoulde be neceſſarie for the Temple: and at his cõming he redreſſed that which was amiſſe, and ſet the things in good ordre.