II. CATHOLICK, or Canonical Epistles. They are seven in number, namely, that of S. James, two of S. Peter, three of S. John, and that of S. Jude. They are called Catholick, because they are directed to all the Faithful, and not to any particular Church; and Canonical, because they contain excellent rules of Faith and Morality. There is some difference with relation to the order, wherein these Epistles stand at present in our Bibles, and that wherein they were placed formerly among the Greeks1. As to this particular, the Reader may consult our general Preface to these Epistles. The Ancients were divided about the number of them. Some received all the seven; others three only, and rejected the second of S. Peter, the second and third of S. John, and that of S. Jude2. The principal design of these seven Epistles is to confute the Heresies of Simon, Nicholas, Cerinthus, and other primitive and arch- Hereticks: who abusing the liberty which the Gospel hath procured for us, denied the Necessity of good Works3.
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