4. The scope/goal of the book is set forth.
Which individual things have this scope prefixed, that the governors of the people, and the people also, might hold piety and religion dear to an exceptional degree, and that they might learn righteousness, having been warned, and not to despise the Deity:[1] and so that the uncertain and remarkable vicissitude of human affairs might be set before the eyes: and, finally, so that the altogether complete holiness, perfection and righteousness, and solicitude in making provision, of the only true spiritual King of Israel, Jesus Christ, whose progenitors according to the flesh were the Kings of Judah, whom therefore it was fitting to trace more carefully, might shine more brightly to all the pious.
[1] Virgil, Æneid, book 6, line 620.