0 Saint Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, who from being a publican, that is, a taxgatherer, was called by our Saviour to the Apostleship: in that profession his name is Levi. (Luke 5.27, and Mark 2.14.) He was the first of the Evangelists that wrote the gospel, and that in Hebrew or Syro-Chaldaic which the Jews in Palestine spoke at that time. The original is not now extant; but it was translated in the time of the Apostles into Greek, that version was of equal authority. He wrote about six years after the Lord's Ascension.
1 The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a virgin.
2 The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the massacre of the Innocents.
3 The preaching of John: Christ is baptized.
4 Christ's fast of forty days: He is tempted. He begins to preach, to call disciples to him, and to work miracles.
5 Christ's sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.
6 A continuation of the sermon on the mount.
7 The third part of the sermon on the mount.
8 Christ cleanses the leper, heals the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many others: he stills the storm at sea, drives the devils out of two men possessed, and suffers them to go into the swine.
9 Christ heals one sick of palsy: calls Matthew: cures the issue of blood: raises to life the daughter of Jairus: gives sight to two blind men: and heals a dumb man possessed by the devil.
10 Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of miracles. The lessons he gives them.
11 John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens.
12 Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees, and confutes their attributing his miracles to Satan.
13 The parables of the sower and the cockle: of the mustardseed, etc.
14 Herod puts John to death. Christ feeds five thousand in the desert. He walks upon the sea, and heals all the diseased with the touch of his garment.
15 Christ reproves the Scribes. He cures the daughter of the woman of Canaan: and many others: and feeds four thousand with seven loaves.
16 Christ refuses to shew the Pharisees a sign from heaven. Peter's confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing Christ's passion. All his followers must deny themselves.
17 The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child: foretells his passion; and pays the didrachma.
18 Christ teaches humility, to beware of scandal, and to flee the occasions of sin: to denounce to the church incorrigible sinners, and to look upon such as refuse to hear the church as heathens. He promises to his disciples the power of binding and loosing: and that he will he in the midst of their assemblies. No forgiveness for them that will not forgive.
19 Christ declares matrimony to be indissoluble: he commends the making of one's-self an eunuch for the kingdom of heaven; and parting with all things for him. He shews the danger of riches, and the reward of leaving all to follow him.
20 The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The ambition of the two sons of Zebedee. Christ gives sight to two blind men.
21 Christ rides into Jerusalem upon an ass. He casts the buyers and sellers out of the temple, curses the fig tree and puts to silence the priests and scribes.
22 The parable of the marriage feast. Christ orders tribute to be paid to Caesar. He confutes the Sadducees, shews which is the first commandment in the law and puzzles the Pharisees.
23 Christ admonishes the people to follow the good doctrine, not the bad example of the scribes and Pharisees. He warns his disciples not to imitate their ambition and denounces divers woes against them for their hypocrisy and blindness.
24 Christ foretells the destruction of the temple, with the signs that shall come before it and before the Last judgment. We must always watch.
25 The parable of the ten virgins and of the talents. The description of the last judgment.
26 The Jews conspire against Christ. He is anointed by Mary. The treason of Judas. The last supper. The prayer in the garden. The apprehension of our Lord. His treatment in the house of Caiphas.
27 The continuation of the history of the passion of Christ. His death and burial.
28 The resurrection of Christ. His commission to his disciples.
0 St. Mark, the disciple and interpreter of St. Peter (saith St. Jerome), according to what he heard from Peter himself, wrote at Rome a brief Gospel at the request of the Brethren, about ten years after our Lord's Ascension; which when Peter had heard, he approved of it and with his authority published it to the church to be read.
Baronius and others say that the original was written in Latin: but the more general opinion is that the Evangelist wrote it in Greek.
1 The preaching of John the Baptist. Christ is baptized by him. He calls his disciples and works many miracles.
2 Christ heals the sick of the palsy. He calls Matthew and excuses his disciples.
3 Christ heals the withered hand. He chooses the twelve. He confutes the blasphemy of the Pharisees.
4 The parable of the sower. Christ stills the tempest at sea.
5 Christ casts out a legion of devils: he heals the issue of blood, and raises the daughter of Jairus to life.
6 Christ teaches at Nazareth: he sends forth the twelve apostles: he feeds five thousand with five loaves; and walks upon the sea.
7 Christ rebukes the Pharisees. He heals the daughter of the woman of Chanaan; and the man that was deaf and dumb.
8 Christ feeds four thousand. He gives sight to a blind man. He foretells his passion.
9 Christ is transfigured. He casts out the dumb spirit. He teaches humility and to avoid scandal.
10 Marriage is not to be dissolved. The danger of riches. The ambition of the sons of Zebedee. A blind man is restored to his sight.
11 Christ enters into Jerusalem upon an ass. He curses the barren fig tree and drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple.
12 The parable of the vineyard and husbandmen. Caesar's right to tribute. The Sadducees are confuted. The first commandment. The widow's mite.
13 Christ foretells the destruction of the temple and the signs that shall forerun the day of judgment.
14 The first part of the history of the passion of Christ.
15 The continuation of the history of the passion.
16 Christ's resurrection and ascension.
0 St. Luke was a native of Antioch, the capital of Syria. Heas by profession a physician; and some ancient writers say, that he was very skillful in painting. He was converted by St. Paul and became his disciple and companion in his travels, and fellow-labourer in the ministry of the Gospel. He wrote in Greek, about twenty-four years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 The conception of John the Baptist, and of Christ. The visitation and canticle of the Blessed Virgin. The birth
of the Baptist and the canticle of Zachary.
2 The birth of Christ. His presentation in the temple. Simeon's prophecy. Christ at twelve years of age, is found amongst the doctors.
3 John's mission and preaching. Christ is baptized by him.
4 Christ's fasting and temptation. He is persecuted in Nazareth. His miracles in Capharnaum.
5 The miraculous draught of fishes. The cure of the leper and of the paralytic. The call of Matthew.
6 Christ excuses his disciples. He cures upon the sabbath day, chooses the twelve and makes a sermon to them.
7 Christ heals the centurion's servant. He raises the widow's son to life, answers the messengers sent by John and absolves the penitent sinner.
8 The parable of the seed. Christ stills the storm at sea, casts out the legion, heals the issue of blood and raises the daughter of Jairus to life.
9 Christ sends forth his apostles, feeds five thousand with five loaves, is transfigured and casts out a devil.
10 Christ sends forth and instructs his seventy-two disciples. The good Samaritan.
11 Christ teaches his disciples to pray. He casts out a dumb devil, confutes the Pharisees, and pronounces woes against them for their hypocrisy.
12 Christ warns us against hypocrisy, the fear of the world and covetousness. He admonishes all to watch.
13 The necessity of penance. The barren fig tree. The cure of the infirm woman. The journey to Jerusalem.
14 Christ heals the dropsical man. The parable of the supper. The necessity of renouncing all to follow Christ.
15 The parables of the lost sheep and of the prodigal son.
16 The parable of the unjust steward and of the rich man and Lazarus.
17 Lessons of avoiding scandal and of the efficacy of faith. The ten lepers. The manner of the coming of Christ.
18 We must pray always. The Pharisee and the publican. The danger of riches. The blind man is restored to sight.
19 Zacheus entertains Christ. The parable of the pounds. Christ rides upon an ass and weeps over Jerusalem.
20 The parable of the husbandmen. Of paying tribute to Caesar and of the resurrection of the dead.
21 The widow's mites. The signs that should forerun the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world.
22 The treason of Judas. The last supper. The first part of the history of the passion.
23 The continuation of the history of the passion.
24 Christ's resurrection and manifestation of himself to his disciples.
0 St. John the Apostle and Evangelist was the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother to James the Greater. He was called the Beloved disciple of Christ and stood by at his Crucifixion. He wrote the Gospel after the other Evangelists, about sixty-three years after our Lord's Ascension. Many things that they had omitted were supplied by him. The original was written in Greek; and by the Greeks he is titled: The Divine. St. Jerome relates that, when he was earnestly requested by the brethren to write the Gospel, he answered he would do it, if by ordering a common fast, they would all put up their prayers together to the Almighty God; which being ended replenished with the clearest and fullest revelation coming from Heaven, he burst forth into that preface: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD.
1 The divinity and incarnation of Christ. John bears witness of him. He begins to call his disciples.
2 Christ changes water into wine. He casts the sellers out of the temple.
3 Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. John's testimony.
4 Christ talks with the Samaritan woman. He heals the ruler's son.
5 Christ heals on the sabbath the man languishing thirty-eight years. His discourse upon this occasion.
6 Christ feeds five thousand with five loaves. He walks upon the sea and discourses of the bread of life.
7 Christ goes up to the feast of the tabernacles. He teaches in the temple.
8 The woman taken in adultery. Christ justifies his doctrine.
9 He gives sight to the man born blind.
10 Christ is the door and the good shepherd. He and his Father are one.
11 Christ raises Lazarus to life. The rulers resolve to put him to death.
12 The anointing of Christ's feet. His riding into Jerusalem upon an ass. A voice from heaven.
13 Christ washes his disciples' feet. The treason of Judas. The new commandment of love.
14 Christ's discourse after his last supper.
15 A continuation of Christ's discourse to his disciples.
16 The conclusion of Christ's last discourse to his disciples.
17 Christ's prayer for his disciples.
18 The history of the passion of Christ.
19 The continuation of the history of the Passion of Christ.
20 Christ's resurrection and manifestation to his disciples.
21 Christ manifests himself to his disciples by the sea side and gives Peter the charge of his sheep.
0 This Book, which, from the first ages, hath been called, The ACTS OF The APOSTLES, is not to be considered as a history of what was done by all the Apostles, who were dispersed into different nations; but only a short view of the first establishment of the Christian Church. A part of the preaching and action of St. Peter are related in the first twelve chapters; and a particular account of St. Paul's apostolical labours in the subsequent chapters.
It was written by St. Luke the Evangelist, and the original in Greek. Its history commences from the Ascension of Christ our Lord and ends in the year sixty-three, being a brief account of the Church for the space of about thirty years.
1 The ascension of Christ. Matthias is chosen in place of Judas.
2 The disciples receive the Holy Ghost. Peter's sermon to the people. The piety of the first converts.
3 The miracle upon the lame man, followed by the conversion of many.
4 Peter and John are apprehended. Their constancy. The church is increased.
5 The judgment of God upon Ananias and Saphira. The apostles are cast into prison.
6 The ordination of the seven deacons. The zeal of Stephen.
7 Stephen's speech before the council. His martyrdom.
8 Philip converts the Samaritans and baptizes the eunuch.
9 Paul's conversion and zeal. Peter heals Eneas and raises up Tabitha to life.
10 Cornelius is received into the church. Peter's vision.
11 Peter defends his having received the Gentiles into the church.
12 Herod's persecution. Peter's deliverance by an angel. Herod's punishment.
13 Saul and Barnabas are sent forth by the Holy Ghost. They preach in Cyprus and in Antioch of Pisidia.
14 Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium and Lystra. Paul heals a cripple. They are taken for gods. Paul is stoned.
They preach in Derbe and Perge.
15 A dissension about circumcision. The decision and letter of the council of Jerusalem.
16 Paul visits the churches. He is called to preach in Macedonia. He is scourged at Philippi.
17 Paul preaches to the Thessalonians and Bereans. His discourse to the Athenians.
18 Paul founds the church of Corinth and preaches at Ephesus and in other places. Apollo goes to Corinth.
19 Paul establishes the church at Ephesus. The tumult of the silversmiths.
20 Paul passes through Macedonia and Greece. He raises a dead man to life at Troas. His discourse to the clergy of Ephesus.
21 Paul goes up to Jerusalem. He is apprehended by the Jews in the temple. Paul declares to the people the history of his conversion. He escapes scourging by claiming the privilege of a Roman citizen.
22 Paul declares to the people the history of his conversion. He escapes scourging by claiming the privilege of a Roman citizen.
23 Paul defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the faith to him.
24 Paul defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the faith to him.
25 Paul appeals to Caesar. King Agrippa desires to hear him.
26 Paul gives an account to Agrippa of his life, conversion and calling.
27 Paul is shipped for Rome. His voyage and shipwreck.
28 Paul, after three months' stay in Melita, continues his voyage and arrives at Rome. His conference there with the Jews.
0 St. Paul wrote this epistle at Corinth, when he was preparing to go to Jerusalem with the charitable ontributions collected in Achaia and Macedonia for the relief of the Christians in Judea; which was about twenty-four years after Our Lord's Ascension. It was written in Greek; but at the same time translated into Latin, for the benefit of those who did not understand that language. And though it is not the first of his Epistles in the order of time, yet it is first placed on account of sublimity of the matter contained in it, of the preeminence of the place to which it was sent, and in veneration of the Church.
1 He commends the faith of the Romans, whom he longs to see. The philosophy of the heathens, being void of faith and humility, betrayed them into shameful sins.
2 The Jews are censured, who make their boast of the law and keep it not. He declares who are the true Jews.
3 The advantages of the Jews. All men are sinners and none can be justified by the works of the law, but only by the grace of Christ.
4 Abraham was not justified by works done, as of himself, but by grace and by faith. And that before he was circumcised. Gentiles, by faith, are his children.
5 The grounds we have for hope in Christ. Sin and death came by dam, grace and life by Christ.
6 The Christian must die to sin and live to God.
7 We are released by Christ from the law and from the guilt of sin, though the inclination to it still tempts us.
8 There is no condemnation to them that, being justified by Christ, walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Their strong hope and love of God.
9 The apostle's concern for the Jews. God's election is free and not confined to their nation.
10 The end of the law is faith in Christ. which the Jews refusing to submit to, cannot be justified.
11 God hath not cast off all Israel. The Gentiles must not be proud but stand in faith and fear.
12 Lessons of Christian virtues.
13 Lessons of obedience to superiors and mutual charity.
14 The strong must bear with the weak. Cautions against judging and giving scandal.
15 He exhorts them to be all of one mind and promises to come and see them.
16 He concludes with salutations, bidding them beware of all that should oppose the doctrine they had learned.
0 St. Paul, having planted the faithful in Corinth, where he had preached a year and a half and converted a great many, went to Ephesus. After being there three years, he wrote this first Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it by the same persons, Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus, who had brought their letter to him. It was written about twenty-four years after our Lord's Ascension and contains several matters appertaining to faith and morals and also to ecclesiastical discipline.
1 He reproveth their dissensions about their teachers. The world was to be saved by preaching of the cross, and not by human wisdom or eloquence.
2 His preaching was not in loftiness of words, but in spirit and power. And the wisdom he taught was not to be understood by the worldly wise or sensual man, but only by the spiritual man.
3 They must not contend about their teachers, who are but God's ministers and accountable to him. Their works shall be tried by fire.
4 God's ministers are not to be judged. He reprehends their boasting of their preachers and describes the treatment
the apostles every where met with.
5 He excommunicates the incestuous adulterer and admonishes them to purge out the old leaven.
6 He blames them for going to law before unbelievers. Of sins that exclude from the kingdom of heaven. The evil of fornication.
7 Lessons relating to marriage and celibacy. Virginity is preferable to a married state.
8 Though an idol be nothing, yet things offered up to idols are not to be eaten, for fear of scandal.
9 The apostle did not make use of his power of being maintained at the charges of those to whom he preached, that he might give no hindrance to the gospel. Of running in the race and striving for the mastery.
10 By the example of the Israelites, he shews that we are not to build too much upon favours received but to avoid their sins and fly from the service of idols and from things offered to idols.
11 Women must have a covering over their heads. He blameth the abuses of their love feasts and upon that occasion treats of the Blessed Sacrament.
12 Of the diversity of spiritual gifts. The members of the mystical body, like those of the natural body, must mutually cherish one another.
13 Charity is to be preferred before all gifts.
14 The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of speaking strange tongues.
15 Christ's resurrection and ours. The manner of our resurrection.
16 Of collection of alms. Admonitions and salutations.
0 In this Epistle St. Paul comforts those who are now reformed by his admonitions to them in the former and absolves the incestuous man on doing penance, whom he had before excommunicated for his crime. Hence he treats of true penance and of the dignity of the ministers of the New Testament. He cautions the faithful against false teachers and the society of infidels. He gives an account of his sufferings and also of the favours and graces which God hath bestowed on him. This second Epistle was written in the same year with the first and sent by Titus from some place in Macedonia.
1 He speaks of his troubles in Asia. His not coming to them was not out of levity. The constancy and sincerity of his doctrine.
2 He grants a pardon to the incestuous man upon his doing penance.
3 He needs no commendatory letters. The glory of the ministry of the New Testament.
4 The sincerity of his preaching. His comfort in his afflictions.
5 He is willing to leave his earthly mansion to be with the Lord. His charity to the Corinthians.
6 He exhorts them to a correspondence with God's grace and not to associate with unbelievers.
7 The apostle's affection for the Corinthians. His comfort and joy on their account.
8 He exhorts them to contribute bountifully to relieve the poor of Jerusalem.
9 A further exhortation to almsgiving. The fruits of it.
10 To stop the calumny and boasting of false apostles, he set forth the power of his apostleship.
11 He is forced to commend himself and his labours, lest the Corinthians should be imposed upon by the false apostles.
12 His raptures and revelations, His being buffeted by Satan. His fear for the Corinthians.
13 He threatens the impenitent, to provoke them to penance.
0 The Galatians, soon after St. Paul had preached the Gospel to them, were seduced by some false teachers, who had been Jews and who were for obliging all Christians, even those who had been Gentiles, to observe circumcision and the other ceremonies of the Mosaical law. In this Epistle, he refutes the pernicious doctrine of those teachers and also their calumny against his mission and apostleship. The subject matter of this Epistle is much the same as that to the Romans. It was written at Ephesus, about twenty-three years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 He blames the Galatians for suffering themselves to be imposed upon by new teachers. The apostle's calling.
2 The apostle's preaching was approved of by the other apostles. The Gentiles were not to be constrained to the observance of the law.
3 The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham cometh not by the law, but by faith.
4 Christ has freed us from the servitude of the law. We are the freeborn sons of Abraham.
5 He exhorts them to stand to their Christian liberty. Of the fruits of the flesh and of the spirit.
6 He exhorts to charity, humility and all virtue. He glories in nothing but in the cross of Christ.
0 Ephesus was the capital of Lesser Asia, and celebrated for the temple of Diana, to which the most part of the people of the East went frequently to worship. But St. Paul having preached the Gospel there, for two years the first time and afterwards for about a year, converted many. He wrote this Epistle to them when he was a prisoner in Rome; and sent it by Tychicus. He admonishes them to hold firmly the faith which they had received and warns them, and also those of the neighbouring cities, against the sophistry of philosophers and doctrine of false teachers who were come among them. The matters of faith contained in this Epistle are exceedingly sublime, and consequently very difficult to be understood. It was written about twenty-nine years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 The great blessings we have received through Christ. He is the head of all the church.
2 All our good comes through Christ. He is our peace.
3 The mystery hidden from former ages was discovered to the apostle, to be imparted to the Gentiles. He prays that they may be strengthened in God.
4 He exhorts them to unity, to put on the new man, and to fly sin.
5 Exhortations to a virtuous life. The mutual duties of man and wife, by the example of Christ and of the Church.
6 Duties of children and servants. The Christian's armour.
0 The Philippians were the first among the Macedonians converted to the faith. They had a great veneration for St. Paul and supplied his wants when he was a prisoner in Rome, sending to him by Epaphroditus, by whom he sent this Epistle; in which he recommends charity, unity and humility and warns them against false teachers, whom he calls dogs and enemies of the cross of Christ. He also returns thanks for their benefactions. It was written about twenty-nine years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 The apostle's affection for the Philippians.
2 He recommends them to unity and humility, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
3 He warneth them against false teachers. He counts all other things loss, that he may gain Christ.
4 He exhorts them to perseverance in all good and acknowledges their charitable contributions to him.
0 Colossa was a city of Phrygia, near Laodicea. It does not appear that St. Paul had preached there himself, but that the Colossians were converted by Epaphras, a disciple of the Apostles. However, as St. Paul was the great Apostle of the Gentiles, he wrote this Epistle to the Coloss when he was in prison, and about the same time that he wrote to the Ephesians and Philippians. The exhortations and doctrine it contains are similar to that which is set forth in his Epistle to the Ephesians.
1 He gives thanks for the grace bestowed upon the Colossians and prays for them. Christ is the head of the church and the peacemaker through his blood. Paul is his minister.
2 He warns them against the impostures of the philosophers and the Jewish teachers, that would withdraw them from Christ.
3 He exhorts them to put on the old man and to put on the new. The duties of wives and husbands, children and servants.
4 He recommends constant prayer and wisdom. Various salutations.
0 Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which St. Paul, having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews and a great number of the Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews, envying his success, raised such a commotion against him that he, and his companion, Sylvanus were obliged to quit the city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he heard that the converts in Thessalonica were under a severe persecution, ever since his departure; and lest they should lose their fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them in their sufferings. In the meantime St. Paul came to Corinth, where he wrote this first Epistle, and also the second to the Thessalonians, both in the same year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension. These are the first of his Epistles in the order of time.
1 He gives thanks for the grace bestowed on the Thessalonians.
2 The sincerity of the apostle's preaching the gospel to them and of their receiving it.
3 The apostle's concern and love for the Thessalonians.
4 He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity. He treats of the resurrection of the dead.
5 The day of the Lord shall come when least expected. Exhortations to several duties.
0 In this Epistle St. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to beonstant in the faith of Christ and not to be terrified by the insinuations of false teachers telling them that the day of judgment was near at hand, as there must come many signs and wonders before it. He bids them to hold firm the traditions received from him, whether by word, or by epistle, and shews them how they may be certain of his letters by the manner he writes.
1 He gives thanks to God for their faith and constancy and prays for their advancement in all good.
2 The day of the Lord is not to come till the man of sin be revealed. The apostle's traditions are to be observed.
3 He begs their prayers and warns them against idleness.
0 St. Paul writes this Epistle to his beloved Timothy, being then bishop of Ephesus, to instruct him in the duties of a bishop, both in respect to himself and to his charge; and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals of those on whom he was to impose hands: Impose not hands lightly upon any man. He tells him also how he should behave towards his clergy. This epistle was written about thirty-three years after our Lord's Ascension; but where it was written is uncertain. The more general opinion is, that it was in Macedonia.
1 He puts Timothy in mind of his charge and blesses God for the mercy he himself had received.
2 Prayers are to be said for all men, because God wills the salvation of all. Women are not teach.
3 What sort of men are to be admitted into the clergy. The church is the pillar of truth.
4 He warns him against heretics, and exhorts him to the exercise of piety.
5 He gives him lessons concerning widows, and how he is to behave to his clergy.
6 Duties of servants. The danger of covetousness. Lessons for the rich.
0 In this Epistle, the Apostle again instructs and admonishes Timothy in what belonged to his office, as in the former; and also warns him to shun the conversation of those who had erred from the truth, describing at the same time their character, He tells him of his approaching death and desires him to come speedily to him. It appears from this circumstance that he wrote this second Epistle in the time of his last imprisonment at Rome and not long before his martyrdom.
1 He admonishes him to stir up the grace he received by his ordination and not to be discouraged at his sufferings,
but to hold firm the sound doctrine of the gospel.
2 He exhorts him to diligence in his office and patience in suffering. The danger of the delusions of heretics.
3 The character of heretics of latter days. He exhorts Timothy to constancy. Of the great profit of the knowledge of the scriptures.
4 His charge to Timothy. He tells him of his approaching death and desires him to come to him.
0 St. Paul, having preached the faith in the island of Crete, he ordained his beloved disciple and companion, Titus, bishop, and left him there to finish the work which he had begun. Afterwards the Apostle, on a journey to Nicopolis, a city of Macedonia, wrote this Epistle to Titus, in which he directs him to ordain bishops and priests for the different cities, shewing him the principal qualities necessary for a bishop. He also gives him particular advice for his own conduct to his flock, exhorting him to hold to strictness of discipline, but seasoned with lenity. It was written about thirty-three years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 What kind of men he is to ordain priests. Some men are to be sharply rebuked.
2 How he is to instruct both old and young. The duty of servants. The Christian's rule of life.
3 Other instructions and directions for life and doctrine.
0 Philemon, a noble citizen of Colossa, had a servant named Onesimus, who robbed him and fled to Rome, where he met St. Paul, who was then a prisoner there the first time. The apostle took compassion on him and received him with tenderness and converted him to the faith; for he was a Gentile before. St. Paul sends him back to his master with this Epistle in his favour: and though he beseeches Philemon to pardon him, yet the Apostle writes with becoming dignity and authority. It contains divers profitable instructions and points out the charity and humanity that masters should have for their servants.
1 He commends the faith and charity of Philemon; and sends back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.
0 St. Paul wrote this Epistle to the Christians in Palestine,he most part of whom being Jews before their conversion, they were called Hebrews. He exhorts them to be thoroughly converted and confirmed in the faith of Christ, clearly shewing them the preeminence of Christ's priest above the Levitical, and also the excellence of the new law above the old. He commends faith by the example of the ancient fathers: and exhorts them to patience and perseverance and to remain in fraternal charity. It appears from chap. 13 that this Epistle was written in Italy, and probably at Rome, about twenty-nine years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 God spoke of old by the prophets, but now by his Son, who is incomparably greater than the angels.
2 The transgression of the precepts of the Son of God is far more condemnable than of those of the Old Testament given by angels.
3 Christ is more excellent than Moses. Wherefore we must adhere to him by faith and obedience.
4 The Christian's rest. We are to enter into it through Jesus Christ.
5 The office of a high priest. Christ is our high priest.
6 He warns them of the danger of falling by apostasy and exhorts them to patience and perseverance.
7 The priesthood of Christ according to the order of Melchisedech excels the Levitical priesthood and puts an end both to that and to the law.
8 More of the excellence of the priesthood of Christ and of the New Testament.
9 The sacrifices of the law were far inferior to that of Christ.
10 Because of the insufficiency of the sacrifices of the law, Christ our high priest shed his own blood for us, offering up once all the sacrifice of our redemption. He exhorts them to perseverance.
11 What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the fathers.
12 Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the graces of the New Testament.
13 Divers admonitions and exhortations.
0 This Epistle is called Catholic or Universal, as formerly were also the two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St. John and that of St. Jude, because they were not written to any peculiar people or particular person, but to the faithful in general. It was written by the apostle St. James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of our Lord, being his kinsman (for cousins german with the Hebrews were called brothers). He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. In this Epistle are set forth many precepts appertaining to faith and morals; particularly, that faith without good works will not save a man that true wisdom is given only from above. In the fifth chapter he publishes the sacrament of anointing the sick. It was written a short time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 Against respect of persons. The danger of transgressing one point of the law. Faith is dead without works.
2 Of the evils of the tongue. Of the difference between the earthly and heavenly wisdom.
3 The evils that flow from yielding to concupiscence and being friends to this world. Admonitions against pride, detraction and the like.
4 A woe to the rich that oppress the poor. Exhortations to patience and to avoid swearing. Of the anointing the sick, confession of sins and fervour in prayer.
5 The first Epistle of St. Peter, though brief, contains much doctrine concerning Faith, Hope, and Charity, with divers instructions to all persons of what state or condition soever. The Apostle commands submission to rulers and superiors and exhorts all to the practice of a virtuous life in imitation ,of Christ. This Epistle is written with such apostolical dignity as to manifest the supreme authority with which its writer, the Prince of the Apostles, had been vested by his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. He wrote it at Rome, which figuratively he calls Babylon, about fifteen years after our Lord's Ascension.
0 The first Epistle of St. Peter, though brief, contains much doctrine concerning Faith, Hope, and Charity, with divers instructions to all persons of what state or condition soever. The Apostle commands submission to rulers and superiors and exhorts all to the practice of a virtuous life in imitation ,of Christ. This Epistle is written with such apostolical dignity as to manifest the supreme authority with which its writer, the Prince of the Apostles, had been vested by his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. He wrote it at Rome, which figuratively he calls Babylon, about fifteen years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 He gives thanks to God for the benefit of our being called to the true faith and to eternal life, into which we are to enter by many tribulations. He exhorts to holiness of life, considering the holiness of God and our redemption by the blood of Christ.
2 We are to lay aside all guile and go to Christ the living stone, and, as being now his people, walk worthily of him, with submission to superiors and patience under sufferings.
3 How wives are to behave to their husbands. What ornaments they are to seek. Exhortations to divers Virtues.
4 Exhortations to cease from sin, to mutual charity, to do all for the glory of God, to be willing to suffer for Christ.
5 He exhorts both priests and laity to their respective duties and recommends to all humility and watchfulness.
0 In this Epistle St. Peter says (chap, 3): Behold this second Epistle I write to you: and before (chap. 1,): Being assured that the laying away of this my tabernacle is at hand. This shews, that it was written a very short time before his martyrdom, which was about thirty-five years after our Lord's Ascension. In this Epistle he admonishes the faithful to be mindful of the great gifts they received from God and to join all other virtues with their faith. He warns them against false teachers, by describing their practices and foretelling their punishments. He describes the dissolution of this world by fire and the day of judgment.
1 He exhorts them to join all other virtues with their faith, in order to secure their salvation.
2 He warns them against false teachers and foretells their punishment.
3 Against scoffers denying the second coming of Christ. He declares the sudden dissolution of this world and exhorts to holiness of life.
0 The same vein of divine love and charity towards our neighbour, which runs throughout the Gospel written by the beloved disciple and Evangelist, St. John, is found also in his Epistles. He confirms the two principal mysteries of faith: The mystery of the Trinity and the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The sublimity and excellence of the evangelical doctrine he declares: And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother (chap. 4,21). And again: For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments, and: His commandments are not heavy (chap. 5,3). He shews how to distinguish the children of God from those of the devil: marks out those who should be called Antichrists: describes the turpitude and gravity of sin. Finally, he shews how the sinner may hope for pardon. It was written, according to Baronius' account, sixty-six years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 He declares what he has seen and heard of Christ who is the life eternal, to the end that we may have fellowship with God and all good through him. Yet so if we confess our sins.
2 Christ is our advocate. We must keep his commandments and love one another. We must not love the world nor give ear to new teachers, but abide by the spirit of God in the church.
3 Of the love of God to us. How we may distinguish the children of God and those of the devil. Of loving one another and of purity of conscience.
4 What spirits are of God, and what are not. We must love one another, because God has loved us.
5 Of them that are born of God, and of true charity. Faith overcomes the world. Three that bear witness to Christ. Of faith in his name and of sin that is and is not to death.
0 The Apostle commends Electa and her family for their steadfastness in the true faith and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward of their labours. He exhorts them to love one another. but with heretics to have no society, even not to salute them. Although this Epistle is written to a particular person, yet its instructions may serve as a lesson to others, especially to those who, from their connections, situation, or condition in life, are in danger of perversion.
1 He recommends walking in truth, loving one another and to beware of false teachers.
0 St. John praises Gaius for his walking in truth and for his charity, complains of the bad conduct of Diotrephes and gives a good testimony to Demetrius.
1 St. John praises Gaius for his walking in truth and for his charity, complains of the bad conduct of Diotrephes and gives a good testimony to Demetrius.
0 St. Jude, who wrote this Epistle, was one of the twelve Apostles and brother to St. James the Less. The time it was written is uncertain: only it may be inferred from verse 17 that few or none of the Apostles were then living, except St. John. He inveighs against the heresies an wicked practices of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics, describing them and their leaders by strong epithets and similes, He exhorts the faithful to contend earnestly for the faith first delivered to them and to beware of heretics.
1 He exhorts them to stand to the faith first delivered to them and to beware of heretics.
0 In the first, second, and third chapters of this Book are contained instructions and admonitions which St. John was commanded to write to the seven bishops of the churches in Asia. And in the following chapters, to the end, are contained prophecies of things that are to come to pass in the Church of Christ, particularly towards the end of the world, in the time of Antichrist. It was written in Greek, in the island of Patmos, where St. John was in banishment by order of the cruel emperor Domitian, about sixty-four years after our Lord's Ascension.
1 St. John is ordered to write to the seven churches in Asia. The manner of Christ's appearing to him.
2 Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus and Thyatira.
3 Directions what to write to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
4 The vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients and the four living creatures.
5 The book sealed with seven seals is opened by the Lamb, who thereupon receives adoration and praise from all.
6 What followed upon opening six of the seals.
7 The number of them that were marked with the seal of the living God and clothed in white robes.
8 The seventh seal is opened. The angels with the seven trumpets.
9 Locusts come forth from the bottomless pit. The vision of the army of horsemen.
10 The cry of a mighty angel. He gives John a book to eat.
11 He is ordered to measure the temple. The two witnesses.
12 The vision of the woman clothed with the sun and of the great dragon her persecutor.
13 Of the beast with seven heads and of a second beast.
14 Of the Lamb and of the virgins that follow him. Of the judgments that shall fall upon the wicked.
15 They that have overcome the beast glorify God. Of the seven angels with the seven vials.
16 The seven vials are poured out. The plagues that ensue.
17 The description of the great harlot and of the beast upon which she sits.
18 The fall of Babylon. Kings and merchants lament over her.
19 The saints glorify God for his judgments on the great harlot. Christ's victory over the beast and the kings of the earth.
20 Satan is bound for a thousand years. The souls of the martyrs reign with Christ in the first resurrection. The last attempts of Satan against the church. The last judgment.
21 The new Jerusalem described.
22 The water and tree of life. The conclusion.
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