De politia judaica, tam civili quam ecclesiastica, jam inde a suis primordiis, hoc est ab orbe condito, repetita

Heb. 11.4

are handed down to us before the Flood, namely, the custom of sacrificing and the distinction between clean and unclean animals: both of which pertain to external Ecclesiastical polity. For since the Apostle says that Abel sacrificed by faith, it is necessary that the expressed word of God preceded it, because true faith cannot be directed elsewhere. Moreover, the distinction between clean and unclean animals, that is, which it was lawful or unlawful to slaughter, could not have been understood from any other source than the voice of God himself. And since it is said that the sacrifice of Noah, performed with this Law observed, pleased God, it is again concluded that His command preceded it, because no ἐθελοθρησκεία will-worship/self-invented religion has ever pleased God. But come, let us explain all these things at greater length, and indeed, beginning with Ecclesiastical polity.

CAP.