admit the innocent and iust into the Kingdome of heauen, which is euerlasting ioy and perfect felicitie.
Church euer visible.
Succession of Patriarchs.Thus we see the face and briefe summe of Religion in the beginning of the world, til the floud: and the state of the Church, which was alwayes Visible, consisting of men good and bad, with a continual Succession of Rulers, as wel spiritual as temporal. For the first-borne were both Priests and Princes in euerie familie. And amongst the same one euer chief of al. One supreme head of the Church.From which ranke Cain was excluded, or rather excluded himselfe, by Gen. 4, 16.
Gen. 5.Going forth from the face of our Lord. Wherupon holy Moyses reciteth this Monarchical succession of one chiefe, and Supreme Head, from Adam by the line of Seth, Enos, Cainan, Malaleel, Iared, Enoch. Mathusala, Lamech, and Noe. Gen. 4. 17.
S. Aug. l. de pastore. c. 8. & 20.Neuertheles he setteth downe also the progenie of Cain, the first beginner of a worldlie, schismatical, and heretical conuenticle, opposite to the Citie of God. Cains negatiue doctrine.He denied Gods prouidence (as Thargum Hierosolomitanum testifieth) protesting to Abel, That there was no Iustice nor Iudge, nor other world then this, no reward for vertue, nor punishment for sinne, and so desperately he killed Abel. Of these negatiue principles proceeded other like detestable opinions, and most wicked life, sauage and barbarous crueltie, and al kind of impietie. True faith stil remained in manie
Some also iust and perfect.And in processe of time albeit manie remained in true faith and vnitie of the Church, yet by conuersation with such miscreants, especially by occasion of Mariages between the faithful and infidels, Gen. 6.almost the whole world was corrupted in manners. But Noe was iust and perfect. Interruptions of heretical Sinagogues.In punishment therefore of so great and enormious sinnes, God sent the general floud, wherby al Cains progenie, and al other infidels were wholly destroyed and extinguished, and the true Church notably purged; onlie iust Noe and his familie reserued. Continuance of the Church.By whom the same true Church was continued, and the world againe replenished with men.
CHAP. VIII.
The second Age of the world.The waters diminishing by litle & litle, 6. Noe sendeth forth a crow, 8. after him a doue, thrise: 18. lastly goeth forth with al that were with him in the arke, 20. erecteth an Altar, and offereth Sacrifice.
The third part of this book.AND God remembred Noe, and al the beasts, and al the cattle which were with him in the arke, and brought a wind vpon the earth, and the waters decreased. Of the new increase & multiplication of the world.2And the fountaines of the depth and the floud-gates of heauen were shut vp: and the rayne from heauen was stayd. 3And the waters returned from the earth going & comming:
