02.09. General Account of the New Testament

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE BOOKS CONTAINED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

"Whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope," Romans 15:4.

I come now to consider the writings of the New Covenant, which were the effect of this revelation of Jesus Christ, and the mission of his apostles; and shall divide them into four classes: -- I. The historical books: including the four gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles.

II. The thirteen epistles of St. Paul.

III. The catholic or general epistles: viz., of James, Peter, John, and Jude.

IV. The Apocalypse, or book of the Revelation. Of these different books I shall endeavor to point out the author, the time when written, and the chief subject of each.