God doeth in all ages and at all times ſet vp worthy perſones for the commoditie and profite of his Church, as now within the compaſſe of ſeuentie yeres he raiſed vp diuers excellent men for the preſeruation of his people, after their returne from Babylon, as Zerubbabél, Ezrá, and Nehemiáh. Whereof the firſt was their captaine, to bring them home, and prouided that the Temple was buylded: the ſeconde reformed their maners and planted religion: & the third buylded vp the walles, deliuered the people from oppreſsion, and prouided that the Law of God was put in execution among them. He was a godlie man and in great autoritie with the King, ſo that the King fauoured him greatly, and gaue him moſte ample letters for the accompliſhement of all things which he colde deſire. This boke is alſo called of the latins the ſeconde of Ezrá, becauſe he was the writer thereof.