An Attempt to Date
Sections of the Bible
July 20, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
The seven sections of the Bible are researched to determine their first appearance in the English language. The following citations are courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. References after the year 1800 have been omitted and secondary sources are in red.
the law
The system of moral and ceremonial precepts contained in the Pentateuch; also in a narrower sense applied to the ceremonial portion of the system considered separately. More explicitly, the law of Moses, the Mosaic or Jewish law , etc.
c1000 Ælfric O.T. in Grein Ags. Prosa I. 5
God him sette æ, þæt ys open lagu, þam folce to steore.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1962,
& tatt wass ned tatt ȝho wass þa Wiþþ godess laȝhe weddedd.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2500,
I þe munt of Synai þer Moyses fatte þe lahe et ure lauerd.
c1250 O. Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
Þo dede he somoni alle þo wyse clerekes þet kuþe þe laghe.
c1330 Spec. Gy Warw. 358
At þe mount of Synay..þar god him ȝaf þe firste lawe.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ix. xxvi. 363
Alway in the Saterdaye preestes declaryd and expownyd the lawe to the peple.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6451 (heading)
Tell i sal of moyses law.
a1400–50 Alexander 1546 Iustis of iewry & iogis of the lawe.
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 54
They read in the Booke of the Lawe.
1611 Bible (King James) Rom. ii. 14
The Gentiles which haue not the Law, doe by nature the things contained in the Law.
In expressed or implied opposition to the Gospel: The Mosaic dispensation; also, the system of Divine commands and of penalties imposed for disobedience contained in the Scriptures, considered apart from the offer of salvation by faith in Christ.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gal. iii. 11
No man is iustified in the lawe anentis God.
1529 J. Frith Pistle Christen Reader sig. Aiijv,
The lawe was geven us, that we might know what to do and what to eschew.
a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 180
The Canon of the Law is laide on him.
1758 S. Hayward Seventeen Serm. i. 2
To guard the Galatians against a dependence on the law.
The Pentateuch as distinguished from the other portions of the Old Testament Scriptures.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) John viii. 5 Moses in the lawe comaundide vs for to stoone siche.
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Aiii,
O very messyas, promysed in the lawe for mannes redempcion.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. xv. 9
Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
A ‘dispensation’. the old law: the Mosaic dispensation, the ‘Old Covenant’; also, the books of the Old Testament. the new law: the Gospel dispensation.
c1000 Ælfric Past. Ep. xl, in B. Thorpe Anc. Laws Eng. (1840) II. 380
Nu is seo ealde lagu geendod æfter Cristes to-cyme.
a1175 Cott. Hom. 235
Þas fif cheðen beoð fif laȝan for þan þe god is þurh þesen ȝecnowe.
c1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 7
Aiðer ðurh ðare ealde laȝwe and iec ðurh ðare niewe.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 3
Aduent bitocneð þre time, on þe was bi-fore þe old laȝe, þe oðer was on þe holde laȝe, and þe þridde was on þe newe laȝe.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 47
Forþi wes ihaten on godes laȝe þet put were iwriȝen eauer.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxviii. 99,
I vndirstode bettire þan þe docturs of þe alde laghe.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21644
Þe licknes o þis tre sa tru, In þe ald lagh was be-for þe neu.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21285
Tuin axils er tuin laghs.
c1450 Compendious olde treat. (Arb.) 172
As kinge Antioche came in the ende wellnygh of ye olde lawe, and brent the bokes of gods lawe..So now Antichrist..brenneth nowe nygh thende of ye new lawe theuangely of Christe.
1542 T. Becon Potacion for Lent sig. I.iijv,
Christ the true lyght of the worlde is come, therfore those ceremonies of the olde law are nowe no more necessary.
c1000 Ælfric O.T. in Grein Ags. Prosa I. 5
God him sette æ, þæt ys open lagu, þam folce to steore.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1962,
& tatt wass ned tatt ȝho wass þa Wiþþ godess laȝhe weddedd.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2500,
I þe munt of Synai þer Moyses fatte þe lahe et ure lauerd.
c1250 O. Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
Þo dede he somoni alle þo wyse clerekes þet kuþe þe laghe.
c1330 Spec. Gy Warw. 358
At þe mount of Synay..þar god him ȝaf þe firste lawe.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ix. xxvi. 363
Alway in the Saterdaye preestes declaryd and expownyd the lawe to the peple.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6451 (heading)
Tell i sal of moyses law.
a1400–50 Alexander 1546 Iustis of iewry & iogis of the lawe.
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 54
They read in the Booke of the Lawe.
1611 Bible (King James) Rom. ii. 14
The Gentiles which haue not the Law, doe by nature the things contained in the Law.
In expressed or implied opposition to the Gospel: The Mosaic dispensation; also, the system of Divine commands and of penalties imposed for disobedience contained in the Scriptures, considered apart from the offer of salvation by faith in Christ.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gal. iii. 11
No man is iustified in the lawe anentis God.
1529 J. Frith Pistle Christen Reader sig. Aiijv,
The lawe was geven us, that we might know what to do and what to eschew.
a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 180
The Canon of the Law is laide on him.
1758 S. Hayward Seventeen Serm. i. 2
To guard the Galatians against a dependence on the law.
The Pentateuch as distinguished from the other portions of the Old Testament Scriptures.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) John viii. 5 Moses in the lawe comaundide vs for to stoone siche.
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Aiii,
O very messyas, promysed in the lawe for mannes redempcion.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. xv. 9
Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
A ‘dispensation’. the old law: the Mosaic dispensation, the ‘Old Covenant’; also, the books of the Old Testament. the new law: the Gospel dispensation.
c1000 Ælfric Past. Ep. xl, in B. Thorpe Anc. Laws Eng. (1840) II. 380
Nu is seo ealde lagu geendod æfter Cristes to-cyme.
a1175 Cott. Hom. 235
Þas fif cheðen beoð fif laȝan for þan þe god is þurh þesen ȝecnowe.
c1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 7
Aiðer ðurh ðare ealde laȝwe and iec ðurh ðare niewe.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 3
Aduent bitocneð þre time, on þe was bi-fore þe old laȝe, þe oðer was on þe holde laȝe, and þe þridde was on þe newe laȝe.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 47
Forþi wes ihaten on godes laȝe þet put were iwriȝen eauer.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxviii. 99,
I vndirstode bettire þan þe docturs of þe alde laghe.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21644
Þe licknes o þis tre sa tru, In þe ald lagh was be-for þe neu.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21285
Tuin axils er tuin laghs.
c1450 Compendious olde treat. (Arb.) 172
As kinge Antioche came in the ende wellnygh of ye olde lawe, and brent the bokes of gods lawe..So now Antichrist..brenneth nowe nygh thende of ye new lawe theuangely of Christe.
1542 T. Becon Potacion for Lent sig. I.iijv,
Christ the true lyght of the worlde is come, therfore those ceremonies of the olde law are nowe no more necessary.
the prophets
In pl. The prophetic writers of the Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures; the books containing their writings.In Jewish usage, the Prophets constitute one of the three canonical divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures (the others being the Law (see law n.1 10c) or Torah (see Torah n.), and the Writings (see writing n.7b), Hagiographa, or Kethubim (see Kethubim n.)), and are in turn subdivided into the Former Prophets, including the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, and the Latter Prophets (or Later Prophets), including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets from Hosea to Malachi.
In Christian usage, the Prophets or Prophetical Books are the Latter Prophets, with the addition of Daniel (which in the Hebrew canon is placed among the Hagiographa); they are subdivided into Major Prophets, namely Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, and Minor Prophets, namely the twelve from Hosea to Malachi. The Old Testament Scriptures or their content are freq. (esp. in the New Testament, though now rarely) referred to as the Law and the Prophets or Moses and the Prophets.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14291
Þa bokess þatt te laferrd crist. Ȝaff gastliȝ tunnderrstanndenn Þeȝȝ wærenn Moysæsess boc. & sallmsang. & profetess.
c1300 Southern Passion (Harl. 2277) 2382 (MED),
In prophetes [a1325 Pepys Alle þing mot neode beo yffolwed and ffolffuld al-so Þat in Moyses lawe and in oþere prophecyes beoþ y-do].
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxii. 40
In these two maundementis hangith al the lawe and prophetis.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xvi. 29
Thei han Moyses and the prophetis; heere thei hem.
a1450 York Plays 206
Moyses lawe he cowde ilke dele, And all þe prophettis.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xiii. 15
After the lectur of the lawe and the prophetes, the ruelers of the synagoge sent vnto them.
1543 T. Becon New Yeares Gyfte sig. E.iijv,
Those thynges that haue ben taught of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before hys commyng, as we maye se in the holy scriptures.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. ii. x. f. 74v,
If I come downe to the latter Prophetes, there wee maye freely walke as in our owne felde.
1604 R. Cudworth in W. Perkins Comm. Fiue First Chapters Epist. Galatians vi. 659
We see the Iewes diuiding the olde testament into 4. parts:..the 3, the later prophets, as Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, and the small prophets.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 3
Saue onely out of the Prophets.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. xv. 9
Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
1648 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum 29
Nebiim Acharonim i. e. the later Prophets; which they reckon up in foure Books also, viz. Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor Prophets.
1660 J. Trapp (title) A commentary or exposition upon the four major prophets.
1733 J. Bland Ess. in Praise of Women v. 139
She so well knows both the Law and the Prophets, that she doth unto all Men as she would they should do unto her.
In Christian usage, the Prophets or Prophetical Books are the Latter Prophets, with the addition of Daniel (which in the Hebrew canon is placed among the Hagiographa); they are subdivided into Major Prophets, namely Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, and Minor Prophets, namely the twelve from Hosea to Malachi. The Old Testament Scriptures or their content are freq. (esp. in the New Testament, though now rarely) referred to as the Law and the Prophets or Moses and the Prophets.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14291
Þa bokess þatt te laferrd crist. Ȝaff gastliȝ tunnderrstanndenn Þeȝȝ wærenn Moysæsess boc. & sallmsang. & profetess.
c1300 Southern Passion (Harl. 2277) 2382 (MED),
In prophetes [a1325 Pepys Alle þing mot neode beo yffolwed and ffolffuld al-so Þat in Moyses lawe and in oþere prophecyes beoþ y-do].
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxii. 40
In these two maundementis hangith al the lawe and prophetis.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xvi. 29
Thei han Moyses and the prophetis; heere thei hem.
a1450 York Plays 206
Moyses lawe he cowde ilke dele, And all þe prophettis.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xiii. 15
After the lectur of the lawe and the prophetes, the ruelers of the synagoge sent vnto them.
1543 T. Becon New Yeares Gyfte sig. E.iijv,
Those thynges that haue ben taught of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before hys commyng, as we maye se in the holy scriptures.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. ii. x. f. 74v,
If I come downe to the latter Prophetes, there wee maye freely walke as in our owne felde.
1604 R. Cudworth in W. Perkins Comm. Fiue First Chapters Epist. Galatians vi. 659
We see the Iewes diuiding the olde testament into 4. parts:..the 3, the later prophets, as Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, and the small prophets.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 3
Saue onely out of the Prophets.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. xv. 9
Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
1648 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum 29
Nebiim Acharonim i. e. the later Prophets; which they reckon up in foure Books also, viz. Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor Prophets.
1660 J. Trapp (title) A commentary or exposition upon the four major prophets.
1733 J. Bland Ess. in Praise of Women v. 139
She so well knows both the Law and the Prophets, that she doth unto all Men as she would they should do unto her.
the psalms
In pl. (chiefly as the Psalms or the Book of Psalms). (The name of) one of the books of the Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally held to have been composed by King David, containing sacred songs used in Jewish and (later) Christian worship.In Luke 24:44, applied to the division of the Old Testament containing the Psalms; = Hagiographa n.
OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Luke xxiv. 44
Necesse est impleri omnia quæ scribta sunt in lege mosi et prophetis et psalmis de me : nedðarf is þætte se gefylledo alle ða awritteno sindon in æ moisi & witgo & salmas of mec.
lOE tr. Alcuin De Virtutibus et Vitiis (Vesp.) in R. D.-N. Warner Early Eng. Homilies (1917) 98
Hit is on sealmen gecweðen, ‘Se heage God gesihð þa eadmedan.’
a1325 (▸c1280) Southern Passion (Pepys 2344) 2109 (MED),
Þat mot ffolffuld beo alle þing þat is Ywrite in Moyses lawe..And in þe psalmes of me.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiv. 44
Alle thingis..whiche ben writun in the lawe of Moyses and in prophetis and in salmes of me.
c1450 (▸a1425) Metrical Paraphr. Old Test. (Selden) 9859 (MED),
He made bokes thre..cantica canticorum..Ecclesiastecen..Proverbes and psalmes þen, as þei com forto be sayd in sere degree.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) To Rdr.,
In the Psalmes we lerne how to resorte onely vnto God in all oure troubles.
1581 Acct.-Bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 117
Another boke of St. Chrysostomes upo' the salmes.
1625 R. Sanderson Serm. I. 115
The abridgement is short, which some have made of the whole book of Psalms but into two words, hosannah, and hallelujah.
1673 R. Allestree Divine Autority & Usefulness Holy Script. 33
God by Christ will at last destroy these Heavens, and this Earth, and change them, according to that saying in the Psalms.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick vii. 126
If the Psalms could be turned into a Rhythmical Poesy, with the Alteration only of a few Verses.
1783 J. Wesley in Wks. (1872) IV. 245
His aggrandizing the Psalms..even above the New Testament.
OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Luke xxiv. 44
Necesse est impleri omnia quæ scribta sunt in lege mosi et prophetis et psalmis de me : nedðarf is þætte se gefylledo alle ða awritteno sindon in æ moisi & witgo & salmas of mec.
lOE tr. Alcuin De Virtutibus et Vitiis (Vesp.) in R. D.-N. Warner Early Eng. Homilies (1917) 98
Hit is on sealmen gecweðen, ‘Se heage God gesihð þa eadmedan.’
a1325 (▸c1280) Southern Passion (Pepys 2344) 2109 (MED),
Þat mot ffolffuld beo alle þing þat is Ywrite in Moyses lawe..And in þe psalmes of me.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiv. 44
Alle thingis..whiche ben writun in the lawe of Moyses and in prophetis and in salmes of me.
c1450 (▸a1425) Metrical Paraphr. Old Test. (Selden) 9859 (MED),
He made bokes thre..cantica canticorum..Ecclesiastecen..Proverbes and psalmes þen, as þei com forto be sayd in sere degree.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) To Rdr.,
In the Psalmes we lerne how to resorte onely vnto God in all oure troubles.
1581 Acct.-Bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 117
Another boke of St. Chrysostomes upo' the salmes.
1625 R. Sanderson Serm. I. 115
The abridgement is short, which some have made of the whole book of Psalms but into two words, hosannah, and hallelujah.
1673 R. Allestree Divine Autority & Usefulness Holy Script. 33
God by Christ will at last destroy these Heavens, and this Earth, and change them, according to that saying in the Psalms.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick vii. 126
If the Psalms could be turned into a Rhythmical Poesy, with the Alteration only of a few Verses.
1783 J. Wesley in Wks. (1872) IV. 245
His aggrandizing the Psalms..even above the New Testament.
the gospels
'The glad tidings (of the kingdom of God)’ announced to the world by Jesus Christ. Hence, the body of religious doctrine taught by Christ and His apostles; the Christian revelation, religion or dispensation. Often contrasted with the Law, i.e. the Old Testament dispensation. Phrase, to preach, †minister the gospel.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. ix. 35
Ðe hælend..bodade god~spell [so c1000 Ags. Gosp., c1160 Hatton Gosp.godspel] rices.
c1275 (▸?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14726
Austin þu scalt..beode þer Godes godd-spel.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1529
Seinte peter..sende seint Marc..vor to preche þen gospel that he adde imaked.
c1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 348
Þei letten hem for to preche, and speciali Cristis gospel.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Acts xx. 24
The gospel of the grace of God.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Eph. i. 13
Whanne ȝe hadden herd the word of treuthe, resceyueden the gospel of ȝoure heelthe.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke ix. 88 b,
Thei had..debarred a certain man from the fraternitee of mynistryng the ghospell.
1550 H. Latimer Serm. Stamford 9 Oct. A vij b,
In the whole multytude that professe the gospell, all be not good.
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare in Wks. III. 170
The Jews saw Christ in the law; the Christians see Christ in the gospel.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Thess. ii. 2.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar ii. xii. 54
The Gospell is therefore a Covenant of grace.
1692 J. Washington tr. Milton Def. People Eng. iii. 52
Let us now consider, whether the Gospel preach up any such Doctrine.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. ii. 208
The advantages we at present enjoy by the gospel.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 342
In strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. ix. 35
Ðe hælend..bodade god~spell [so c1000 Ags. Gosp., c1160 Hatton Gosp.godspel] rices.
c1275 (▸?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14726
Austin þu scalt..beode þer Godes godd-spel.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1529
Seinte peter..sende seint Marc..vor to preche þen gospel that he adde imaked.
c1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 348
Þei letten hem for to preche, and speciali Cristis gospel.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Acts xx. 24
The gospel of the grace of God.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Eph. i. 13
Whanne ȝe hadden herd the word of treuthe, resceyueden the gospel of ȝoure heelthe.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke ix. 88 b,
Thei had..debarred a certain man from the fraternitee of mynistryng the ghospell.
1550 H. Latimer Serm. Stamford 9 Oct. A vij b,
In the whole multytude that professe the gospell, all be not good.
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare in Wks. III. 170
The Jews saw Christ in the law; the Christians see Christ in the gospel.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Thess. ii. 2.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar ii. xii. 54
The Gospell is therefore a Covenant of grace.
1692 J. Washington tr. Milton Def. People Eng. iii. 52
Let us now consider, whether the Gospel preach up any such Doctrine.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. ii. 208
The advantages we at present enjoy by the gospel.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 342
In strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.
the epistles
Any of various books in the New Testament which originated as apostolic letters to Christian communities and individuals.
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xvii. 117
Ðæt he [sc. Paul] cyðde ða he cuæð on his epistolan to Galatum: Hwæðer wille ge ðæt ic cume to eow?
OE Homily (Otho C.i) in Anglo-Saxon Eng. 26 (1997) 218
Eala hu micel yfel seo tunge hafað on hire seolfre, swa hit is geleornad on þæs halgan Iacobes epistole.
c1230 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 179
Þe apostle..seið in his epistle.
c1384 Prol. Catholic Epist. (N.Y. Publ. Lib.) in Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (1850) IV. 594
These epistolis to ther owne ordre..we han ȝolden... If as of hem thei weren mad, so also of interpretouris, or vndoeris, in to Latyn speche thei were turned treuly, neither doute to men redende thei shulde make.
a1425 Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 277
Poul telliþ in þis epistle of fredom of Cristene men.
?a1475 (▸?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl.) (1865) I. 149
To whom Paule did wryte an epistole.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Biiv,
The ordinary glose vpon the first epistle of saynt Poule to the Corinthes dothe expresse, that [etc.].
1578 Gude & Godlie Ball. (1868) 63
The Lordis Supper, as it is writtin in the first Epistil to the Cor. xj. Chap.
c1604 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 106
The Evangiles and Acts, teach us what to beleeve, but the Epistles of the Apostles what to do.
1695 J. Locke Reasonableness Christianity in Wks. (1794) VI. 152,
I answer, that the epistles were written upon several occasions.
1704 R. Nelson Compan. Festivals & Fasts i. xxix. 316
This Epistle..is..an excellent Antidote against the Poison of Gnostick Principles.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man ii. ii. 78
When the Genuineness of the Acts of the Apostles, and of St. Paul's Epistles, is thus deduced, the Truth of the Facts mentioned in them will follow from it.
Freq. with capital initial.
A reading forming part of a church service (esp. the Eucharist), usu. from one of the Epistles of the New Testament.
a1450 Ordination of Nuns (Vesp.) in E. A. Kock Rule St. Benet (1902) 145 (MED),
Þe offece of þe mese sall be ‘Salue, sancta parens.’ Þe Epistil & þe godspel..als þe tyme of þe ȝer askes.
1491 in J. Cooper Cartularium Eccl. St. Nicholai Aberdonensis (1888) I. 256
The epistill of the mes.
a1500 (▸?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (BL Add. 9066) 373
The bere seid the masse; The asse redde the apistille; The Oxe redde the gospell.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxijv,
The priest, or he that is appointed, shall reade the Epistle.
1578 Gude & Godlie Ball. (1868) 63
Ane Ballat of the Epistill on Christinmes Euin.
1655 A. Sparrow Rationale Bk. Common Prayer 44
This Sunday..the Epistle and Gospel treat about the same businesse, the birth of Christ.
1662 Bk. Common Prayer Communion,
Immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict.
Epistler, he who reads the Epistles in a Cathedral Church.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 133
Two desks..on which formerly the epistles and gospels were read.
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xvii. 117
Ðæt he [sc. Paul] cyðde ða he cuæð on his epistolan to Galatum: Hwæðer wille ge ðæt ic cume to eow?
OE Homily (Otho C.i) in Anglo-Saxon Eng. 26 (1997) 218
Eala hu micel yfel seo tunge hafað on hire seolfre, swa hit is geleornad on þæs halgan Iacobes epistole.
c1230 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 179
Þe apostle..seið in his epistle.
c1384 Prol. Catholic Epist. (N.Y. Publ. Lib.) in Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (1850) IV. 594
These epistolis to ther owne ordre..we han ȝolden... If as of hem thei weren mad, so also of interpretouris, or vndoeris, in to Latyn speche thei were turned treuly, neither doute to men redende thei shulde make.
a1425 Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 277
Poul telliþ in þis epistle of fredom of Cristene men.
?a1475 (▸?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl.) (1865) I. 149
To whom Paule did wryte an epistole.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Biiv,
The ordinary glose vpon the first epistle of saynt Poule to the Corinthes dothe expresse, that [etc.].
1578 Gude & Godlie Ball. (1868) 63
The Lordis Supper, as it is writtin in the first Epistil to the Cor. xj. Chap.
c1604 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 106
The Evangiles and Acts, teach us what to beleeve, but the Epistles of the Apostles what to do.
1695 J. Locke Reasonableness Christianity in Wks. (1794) VI. 152,
I answer, that the epistles were written upon several occasions.
1704 R. Nelson Compan. Festivals & Fasts i. xxix. 316
This Epistle..is..an excellent Antidote against the Poison of Gnostick Principles.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man ii. ii. 78
When the Genuineness of the Acts of the Apostles, and of St. Paul's Epistles, is thus deduced, the Truth of the Facts mentioned in them will follow from it.
Freq. with capital initial.
A reading forming part of a church service (esp. the Eucharist), usu. from one of the Epistles of the New Testament.
a1450 Ordination of Nuns (Vesp.) in E. A. Kock Rule St. Benet (1902) 145 (MED),
Þe offece of þe mese sall be ‘Salue, sancta parens.’ Þe Epistil & þe godspel..als þe tyme of þe ȝer askes.
1491 in J. Cooper Cartularium Eccl. St. Nicholai Aberdonensis (1888) I. 256
The epistill of the mes.
a1500 (▸?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (BL Add. 9066) 373
The bere seid the masse; The asse redde the apistille; The Oxe redde the gospell.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxijv,
The priest, or he that is appointed, shall reade the Epistle.
1578 Gude & Godlie Ball. (1868) 63
Ane Ballat of the Epistill on Christinmes Euin.
1655 A. Sparrow Rationale Bk. Common Prayer 44
This Sunday..the Epistle and Gospel treat about the same businesse, the birth of Christ.
1662 Bk. Common Prayer Communion,
Immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict.
Epistler, he who reads the Epistles in a Cathedral Church.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 133
Two desks..on which formerly the epistles and gospels were read.
the apocalpyse
(With capital initial.)
The ‘revelation’ of the future granted to St. John in the isle of Patmos. The book of the New Testament in which this is recorded.
OE Rule St. Benet (Tiber.) xii. 36
Æfter þysum sy gecweden an ræding of apocalipsin gemyndelice butan bec.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 81
Herof seid Seint Johan þe ewangeliste in apocalipsi.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 74
‘Hit isan derne halewi seið sein Iohan þe godspeller in þe apocalipsi.
c1400 Rom. Rose 7395
That sallow horse of hewe, That in the Apocalips is shewed.
a1440 Sir Degrev. 1437
The Pocalyps of Ion.
1581 J. Walker in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iv. sig. Z iiij b,
The Laodicean Councill omitteth Lukes Gospel & the Apocalyps.
1667 Milton Paradise Lost iv. 2
That warning voice, which he who saw Th' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud.
The ‘revelation’ of the future granted to St. John in the isle of Patmos. The book of the New Testament in which this is recorded.
OE Rule St. Benet (Tiber.) xii. 36
Æfter þysum sy gecweden an ræding of apocalipsin gemyndelice butan bec.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 81
Herof seid Seint Johan þe ewangeliste in apocalipsi.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 74
‘Hit isan derne halewi seið sein Iohan þe godspeller in þe apocalipsi.
c1400 Rom. Rose 7395
That sallow horse of hewe, That in the Apocalips is shewed.
a1440 Sir Degrev. 1437
The Pocalyps of Ion.
1581 J. Walker in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iv. sig. Z iiij b,
The Laodicean Councill omitteth Lukes Gospel & the Apocalyps.
1667 Milton Paradise Lost iv. 2
That warning voice, which he who saw Th' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud.
the old and new testaments
The Old and New Testament
II. In Christian Latin use of testāmentum.
Orig. a misuse of the word, arising from the fact that Greek διαθήκη, ‘disposition, arrangement’, was applied both to a covenant (pactum,fœdus) between parties, and to a testament or will (testamentum).
Prob. largely due to the use of διαθήκη (in the sense ‘covenant’) in the account of the Last Supper immediately before Christ's death, and its consequent association with the notion of a last will or testament. See also historical note s.v. covenant n. 7.
4. Scripture. A covenant between God and man: = covenant n. 7. Obs. orarch.
c1315 Shoreham i. 541
Þys hys þe chalis of my blode Of testament newe.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxxxi. 12
If þi sunnys hafe kepid my testament.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Baruch ii. 35
And Y shal sette to them an other testament euere durende.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Acts vii. 8
He ȝaf to him the testament of circumcisioun.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. xi. 25
This cuppe is the newe testament in my blood.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12886
Þe ald testament hir-wit nu slakes, And sua þe neu begining takes.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12718
Quen drightin gan to sprad his grace..þe testament bigan he neu.
c1430 Lydgate Letabundus 248 in Minor Poems In Reioysshyng of Crystes glad comynge; Two testamentys that day wer maad bothe Oon.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xliv. 216
His elect mother and arke of testament, Of holy chyrche the blessed lumynary.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iii. 6
Able ministers of the New Testament [Gk. διακόνους καινῆς διαθήκης: Wyclif, able mynistris of the newe testament, 1881 R.V. ministers of a new covenant].
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iii. 14
In the reading of the old testament [R.V. at the reading of the old covenant].
Hence, through the application of παλαιὰ and καινὴ διαθήκη, in the Itala and Vulgate vetus and novum testamentum, to the Mosaic and Christian ‘covenants’ or ‘dispensations’ (cf. 2 Cor. iii. 6, 14 cited in 4), the term passed in early Christian Latin (and thence in the languages of the West) to the books or records of the old and new covenants.(This transition of sense took place many centuries before the adoption of the word in English, where the name was simply taken over from Latin or French in this transferred use.)
Each of the two main divisions of the Sacred Scriptures or Bible, the Old and the New Testament , consisting of the books of the old or Mosaic and the new or Christian covenant or dispensation respectively.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 120, I sal yow schew wit myn entent Brefli of aiþere testament.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Prol.,
Þe lare of þe ald testament & of þe new.
▸a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 293
In þe olde testament me redeþ... In þe newe testament.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) Introd. 3
As the old testament beryth witnesse.
1532 T. Elyot Let. in Bk. named Gouernour (1880) I. Introd. p. lxxix,
Thei..doo peruse euery daye one chapitre of the New Testament.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 235
A Large window full of fine paintings—the history of the testaments.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 161. ¶4
In the Old Testament we find several Passages more elevated and sublime than any in Homer.
b. The New Testament as distinct from the Old; a copy of the New Testament; a volume containing this. Common in Greek Testament.
1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 148
So quhene, the psalme and testament to reid Wtin this land was nevir hard nor sene.
II. In Christian Latin use of testāmentum.
Orig. a misuse of the word, arising from the fact that Greek διαθήκη, ‘disposition, arrangement’, was applied both to a covenant (pactum,fœdus) between parties, and to a testament or will (testamentum).
Prob. largely due to the use of διαθήκη (in the sense ‘covenant’) in the account of the Last Supper immediately before Christ's death, and its consequent association with the notion of a last will or testament. See also historical note s.v. covenant n. 7.
4. Scripture. A covenant between God and man: = covenant n. 7. Obs. orarch.
c1315 Shoreham i. 541
Þys hys þe chalis of my blode Of testament newe.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxxxi. 12
If þi sunnys hafe kepid my testament.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Baruch ii. 35
And Y shal sette to them an other testament euere durende.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Acts vii. 8
He ȝaf to him the testament of circumcisioun.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. xi. 25
This cuppe is the newe testament in my blood.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12886
Þe ald testament hir-wit nu slakes, And sua þe neu begining takes.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12718
Quen drightin gan to sprad his grace..þe testament bigan he neu.
c1430 Lydgate Letabundus 248 in Minor Poems In Reioysshyng of Crystes glad comynge; Two testamentys that day wer maad bothe Oon.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xliv. 216
His elect mother and arke of testament, Of holy chyrche the blessed lumynary.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iii. 6
Able ministers of the New Testament [Gk. διακόνους καινῆς διαθήκης: Wyclif, able mynistris of the newe testament, 1881 R.V. ministers of a new covenant].
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iii. 14
In the reading of the old testament [R.V. at the reading of the old covenant].
Hence, through the application of παλαιὰ and καινὴ διαθήκη, in the Itala and Vulgate vetus and novum testamentum, to the Mosaic and Christian ‘covenants’ or ‘dispensations’ (cf. 2 Cor. iii. 6, 14 cited in 4), the term passed in early Christian Latin (and thence in the languages of the West) to the books or records of the old and new covenants.(This transition of sense took place many centuries before the adoption of the word in English, where the name was simply taken over from Latin or French in this transferred use.)
Each of the two main divisions of the Sacred Scriptures or Bible, the Old and the New Testament , consisting of the books of the old or Mosaic and the new or Christian covenant or dispensation respectively.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 120, I sal yow schew wit myn entent Brefli of aiþere testament.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Prol.,
Þe lare of þe ald testament & of þe new.
▸a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 293
In þe olde testament me redeþ... In þe newe testament.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) Introd. 3
As the old testament beryth witnesse.
1532 T. Elyot Let. in Bk. named Gouernour (1880) I. Introd. p. lxxix,
Thei..doo peruse euery daye one chapitre of the New Testament.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 235
A Large window full of fine paintings—the history of the testaments.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 161. ¶4
In the Old Testament we find several Passages more elevated and sublime than any in Homer.
b. The New Testament as distinct from the Old; a copy of the New Testament; a volume containing this. Common in Greek Testament.
1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 148
So quhene, the psalme and testament to reid Wtin this land was nevir hard nor sene.
the apocrypha
A writing or statement of doubtful authorship or authenticity; spec.those books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate versions of the Old Testament, which were not originally written in Hebrew and not counted genuine by Jews, and which, at the Reformation, were excluded from the Sacred Canon by the Protestant party, as having no well-grounded claim to inspired authorship.
a1400 Childh. Jesus in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 74 327
Here bigynnys the Romance of the childhode of Jhesu Criste þat clerkys callys Ipokrephum.
1539 Bible (Great) Apocrypha Pref.,
The other [bookes] folowynge, which are called apocripha.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxx. 547
The Iewes account those bookes for Apocriphase.
1597 Hooker V.xx. (1841) i. 483
We hold not the apocrypha for sacred.
1704 London Gaz. mmmmxxii/3
The Contents of each Chapter in the Bible, and Apocryphy.
1733 Pope Impertinent 16
What's now Apocrypha, my Wit, In time to come, may pass for Holy Writ.
a1400 Childh. Jesus in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 74 327
Here bigynnys the Romance of the childhode of Jhesu Criste þat clerkys callys Ipokrephum.
1539 Bible (Great) Apocrypha Pref.,
The other [bookes] folowynge, which are called apocripha.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxx. 547
The Iewes account those bookes for Apocriphase.
1597 Hooker V.xx. (1841) i. 483
We hold not the apocrypha for sacred.
1704 London Gaz. mmmmxxii/3
The Contents of each Chapter in the Bible, and Apocryphy.
1733 Pope Impertinent 16
What's now Apocrypha, my Wit, In time to come, may pass for Holy Writ.
citations in chronological order
The above citations with secondary sources omitted:
OE Æfter þysum sy gecweden an ræding of apocalipsin gemyndelice...
OE ...mosi et prophetis et psalmis de me :... & salmas of mec.
950c Ðe hælend..bodade god~spell [so c1000 Ags. Gosp., c1160 Hatton Gosp.godspel] rices.
1000c God him sette æ, þæt ys open lagu, þam folce to steore.
1175a Þas fif cheðen beoð fif laȝan for þan þe god is þurh þesen ȝecnowe.
1175c Herof seid Seint Johan þe ewangeliste in apocalipsi.
1200?c & tatt wass ned tatt ȝho wass þa Wiþþ godess laȝhe weddedd.
1200?c Þa bokess þatt te laferrd crist. Ȝaff gastliȝ tunnderrstanndenn Þeȝȝ wærenn Moysæsess boc. & sallmsang. & profetess.
1200c Aduent bitocneð þre time, on þe was bi-fore þe old laȝe, þe oðer was on þe holde laȝe, and þe þridde was on þe newe laȝe.
1225a I þe munt of Synai þer Moyses fatte þe lahe et ure lauerd.
1250c Þo dede he somoni alle þo wyse clerekes þet kuþe þe laghe.
1297 Seinte peter..sende seint Marc..vor to preche þen gospel that he adde imaked.
1300a I sal yow schew wit myn entent Brefli of aiþere testament.
1330c At þe mount of Synay..þar god him ȝaf þe firste lawe.
1340a I vndirstode bettire þan þe docturs of þe alde laghe.
1340a Þe lare of þe ald testament & of þe new.
1400a ... callys Ipokrephum.
1400a–50 Iustis of iewry & iogis of the lawe.
1400c That sallow horse of hewe, That in the Apocalips is shewed.
1440a The Pocalyps of Ion.
1450a Moyses lawe he cowde ilke dele, And all þe prophettis.
1450c ...f ye olde lawe, ... ye new lawe theuangely of Christe.
1526 After the lectur of the lawe and the prophetes, the...
1526 ... the first epistle of saynt Poule ...
1526 O very messyas, promysed in the lawe for mannes redempcion.
1529 The lawe was geven us, that we might ...
1535 To Rdr., In the Psalmes we lerne how to resorte onely vnto God in all oure troubles.
1539 The other [bookes] folowynge, which are called apocripha.
1542 ...the olde law are nowe no more necessary.
1543 ... of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before ...
1548 Thei had..debarred a certain man from the fraternitee of mynistryng the ghospell.
1549 ... shall reade the Epistle.
1550 In the whole multytude that professe the gospell, ...
1561 If I come downe to the latter Prophetes, ...
1565 The Jews saw Christ in the law;... the gospel.
1585c They read in the Booke of the Lawe.
1587 ...for Apocriphase.
1604 We see the Iewes diuiding the olde testament into 4. parts:..the 3, the later prophets, as Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, and the small prophets.
1611
1611 Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
1611 The Gentiles which haue not the Law, doe by nature the things contained in the Law.
1611 Saue onely out of the Prophets.
1625 The abridgement is short, which some have made of the whole book of Psalms but into two words, hosannah, and hallelujah.
1648 Nebiim Acharonim i. e. the later Prophets; which they reckon up in foure Books also, viz. Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor Prophets.
1649 The Gospell is therefore a Covenant of grace.
1655 This Sunday..the Epistle and Gospel treat about the same businesse, the birth of Christ.
1660 A commentary or exposition upon the four major prophets.
1662 Immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle.
1667 That warning voice, which he who saw Th' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud.
1673 God by Christ will at last destroy these Heavens, and this Earth, and change them, according to that saying in the Psalms.
1692 Let us now consider, whether the Gospel preach up any such Doctrine.
1704 The Contents of each Chapter in the Bible, and Apocryphy.
1704 This Epistle..is..an excellent Antidote against the Poison of Gnostick Principles.
1706 If the Psalms could be turned into a Rhythmical Poesy, with the Alteration only of a few Verses.
1711 In the Old Testament we find several Passages...
1721 Epistler, he who reads the Epistles in a Cathedral Church.
1733 She so well knows both the Law and the Prophets, ...
1733 What's now Apocrypha, my Wit, In time to come, may pass for Holy Writ.
1749 ... and of St. Paul's Epistles, is thus deduced...
1757 Two desks..on which formerly the epistles and gospels were read.
1758 To guard the Galatians against a dependence on the law.
1782 The advantages we at present enjoy by the gospel.
1785 In strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.
OE Æfter þysum sy gecweden an ræding of apocalipsin gemyndelice...
OE ...mosi et prophetis et psalmis de me :... & salmas of mec.
950c Ðe hælend..bodade god~spell [so c1000 Ags. Gosp., c1160 Hatton Gosp.godspel] rices.
1000c God him sette æ, þæt ys open lagu, þam folce to steore.
1175a Þas fif cheðen beoð fif laȝan for þan þe god is þurh þesen ȝecnowe.
1175c Herof seid Seint Johan þe ewangeliste in apocalipsi.
1200?c & tatt wass ned tatt ȝho wass þa Wiþþ godess laȝhe weddedd.
1200?c Þa bokess þatt te laferrd crist. Ȝaff gastliȝ tunnderrstanndenn Þeȝȝ wærenn Moysæsess boc. & sallmsang. & profetess.
1200c Aduent bitocneð þre time, on þe was bi-fore þe old laȝe, þe oðer was on þe holde laȝe, and þe þridde was on þe newe laȝe.
1225a I þe munt of Synai þer Moyses fatte þe lahe et ure lauerd.
1250c Þo dede he somoni alle þo wyse clerekes þet kuþe þe laghe.
1297 Seinte peter..sende seint Marc..vor to preche þen gospel that he adde imaked.
1300a I sal yow schew wit myn entent Brefli of aiþere testament.
1330c At þe mount of Synay..þar god him ȝaf þe firste lawe.
1340a I vndirstode bettire þan þe docturs of þe alde laghe.
1340a Þe lare of þe ald testament & of þe new.
1400a ... callys Ipokrephum.
1400a–50 Iustis of iewry & iogis of the lawe.
1400c That sallow horse of hewe, That in the Apocalips is shewed.
1440a The Pocalyps of Ion.
1450a Moyses lawe he cowde ilke dele, And all þe prophettis.
1450c ...f ye olde lawe, ... ye new lawe theuangely of Christe.
1526 After the lectur of the lawe and the prophetes, the...
1526 ... the first epistle of saynt Poule ...
1526 O very messyas, promysed in the lawe for mannes redempcion.
1529 The lawe was geven us, that we might ...
1535 To Rdr., In the Psalmes we lerne how to resorte onely vnto God in all oure troubles.
1539 The other [bookes] folowynge, which are called apocripha.
1542 ...the olde law are nowe no more necessary.
1543 ... of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before ...
1548 Thei had..debarred a certain man from the fraternitee of mynistryng the ghospell.
1549 ... shall reade the Epistle.
1550 In the whole multytude that professe the gospell, ...
1561 If I come downe to the latter Prophetes, ...
1565 The Jews saw Christ in the law;... the gospel.
1585c They read in the Booke of the Lawe.
1587 ...for Apocriphase.
1604 We see the Iewes diuiding the olde testament into 4. parts:..the 3, the later prophets, as Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, and the small prophets.
1611
1611 Comforting them out of the law, and the prophets.
1611 The Gentiles which haue not the Law, doe by nature the things contained in the Law.
1611 Saue onely out of the Prophets.
1625 The abridgement is short, which some have made of the whole book of Psalms but into two words, hosannah, and hallelujah.
1648 Nebiim Acharonim i. e. the later Prophets; which they reckon up in foure Books also, viz. Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor Prophets.
1649 The Gospell is therefore a Covenant of grace.
1655 This Sunday..the Epistle and Gospel treat about the same businesse, the birth of Christ.
1660 A commentary or exposition upon the four major prophets.
1662 Immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle.
1667 That warning voice, which he who saw Th' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud.
1673 God by Christ will at last destroy these Heavens, and this Earth, and change them, according to that saying in the Psalms.
1692 Let us now consider, whether the Gospel preach up any such Doctrine.
1704 The Contents of each Chapter in the Bible, and Apocryphy.
1704 This Epistle..is..an excellent Antidote against the Poison of Gnostick Principles.
1706 If the Psalms could be turned into a Rhythmical Poesy, with the Alteration only of a few Verses.
1711 In the Old Testament we find several Passages...
1721 Epistler, he who reads the Epistles in a Cathedral Church.
1733 She so well knows both the Law and the Prophets, ...
1733 What's now Apocrypha, my Wit, In time to come, may pass for Holy Writ.
1749 ... and of St. Paul's Epistles, is thus deduced...
1757 Two desks..on which formerly the epistles and gospels were read.
1758 To guard the Galatians against a dependence on the law.
1782 The advantages we at present enjoy by the gospel.
1785 In strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.