PREFACE. With heartiest pleasure I recommend to the clergy and laity of the United States the book which a most estimable and devoted priest of England has compiled and edited under the title "The Divine Armory of Holy Scripture." This book is the result of very many years spent in the earnest study, devout meditation, serious and deep reading of the Holy Bible. The author during the time has been engaged upon what was not so much a task to be accomplished, as on what was a labor of love. It is therefore more apt to partake of characteristics and features that demand sincerest appreciation. There is not the slighest doubt but that an intimate acquaintance with the exact import of the words of Holy Writ and their application to various subjects that receive our attention, is the best means of fostering and developing a healthy spirit of piety. Father Vaughan, by his diligent labor in classifying the Sacred Text, has contributed to render the study of the Scriptures at the same time easy, delightful, and profitable to the reader. And I am sure that incalculable advantage will accrue to both clergy and people from the use of his book. Though larger, more developed, and complete, it is based on the Theologia Scripturæ Divinæ, issued some two centuries ago. I am reminded of a little work in the same tenor which was brought to my notice about two years ago, written in French by Father J. B. St. Jure, S.J., and entitled " Christ, Our Teacher." I was so much impressed by its merit and usefulness that I had it translated, as there was not to my knowledge anything like it in the English language. But I now welcome the Divine Armory as superior in scope and extent, and better able to accomplish the good I anticipated from the smaller book. I venture to predict for Father Vaughan's book the honest appreciation of all lovers of the Sacred Text; and in their name I congratulate him upon the happy and successful termination of this life-work of his, and I thank him in advance for all the spiritual gifts and graces of which, through him, we shall be made participators. J. CARDINAL GIBBONS, Cardinal's Residence, Baltimore, Md. November 17, 1893. Archbishop of Baltimore. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. The compilation of this SCRIPTURE TEXT-BOOK was suggested by a small volume which first appeared two hundred years ago, entitled Theologia Scripturæ Divinæ, Auctore Henrico Marcellio, S.J.; and upon the idea and plan of that work it is to some extent based. But it has been so greatly amplified that it may be regarded as in reality a new work, modified in plan, and containing six times more matter than the original. In putting together this Scripture Text-Book, use has been freely made of the Roman Ritual, of the Paradisus Anime, and, with due authority, of several modern compilations of Scripture texts. A grateful acknowledginent is especially due to the distinguished disciple and student of St. Thomas, the Rev. Dr. Gildea, for the Introductions to the five Books and their several Parts, which, with only two or three exceptions, are the work of his pen These Introductions contain in a brief form the essence of theological teaching; and though treating often of abstruse and difficult subjects, they are written in so clear and easy a style as to be intelligible to any crdinary mind. An acknowledgment is also due for much assistance rendered by the Rev. Henry M. Bayley, B.A. Cantab., in drawing up the Calendar of Scripture Saints: a Calendar which will serve to bring the reader into a closer union of mind and heart with those great Saints whose lives are recorded or referred to in Holy Writ. That this Scripture Text-Book may help to show forth more clearly the Divine Scriptural character of the teaching and liturgy of the Holy Church, and that it may increase in those who use it a knowledge and love of the Sacred Book from which it is compiled, is the earnest hope and prayer of the compiler, Feast of St. Jeremias the Prophet, KENELM VAUGHAN. ANALYTICAL CONTENTS. 03ook I. INTRODUCTION. ON GOD, ONE IN NATURE AND THREE IN PERSONS, AUTHOR OF ALL THINGS; AND ON THE PRINCIPAL WORKS OF HIS HANDS IN GENERAL AND IN PARTICULAR, p. 1. 3. His Simplicity and Incorporeality, 2 25. His Mercy, 19 26. Why He has mercy upon us, 20 His Love for all-even sinners, 21 God loves sinners, not as sinners, but because ransomed by Christ's Precious Blood. For this reason 31. Our Lord wills all men to be saved, 23 16. His Knowledge, whereby He knows Himself, all things created, to be 35. 17. His Omniscience denied by the wicked that they may sin more freely. His 36. All-seeing Eye keeps the godly 19. Punishment willed by God, 13 Election, Predestination, and Voca- Election to glory, which precedes Pre- destination, the work of God's pure God rewards men according to merit, 37. His special love towards the just, 27 38. The certainty of Predestination, 28 40. Causes and effects of positive reproba- INTRODUCTION. 12. Power of the bad angels directed 21. Man's miseries in body and soul, 55 against the Church and the faithful, 22. Man's ignorance, 55 23. His want of courage to do good, 57 13. Conversion of unbelievers hindered 24. His littleness in God's sight, 57 THE MESSIAH, OR CHRIST, THE REDEEMER OF THE HUMAN RACE. 1. The Messiah promised to the world, 13. Christ's redemption of sinners by Christ appointed by God, Judge No one will be able to resist the i vocable judgment of Christ. 67 8. His voluntary poverty, 63 9. Christ as High-Priest and Mediator 10. Christ's love of suffering and perfect 11. His victory and triumph on the Cross, 9. Our Lord the Man of Sorrows. 28. 10. The Rsurrection of our Lord 29. 23. The worship of our Lord, 113 24. The Parables of our Lord, 114 25. Parables, Visions, etc., in the Old 26. The Miracles of our Lord, Visions, 118 132 ON MARY THE VIRGIN-MOTHER OF JESUS; ST. JOSEPH, HIS FOSTER-FATHER; AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, HIS PRECURSOR, 133. 1. The noble lineage of the Blessed Virgin. Her parents. Her Imma- culate Conception. Her Nativity. 6. 2. The Angel Gabriel announces to her! the Incarnation. Her visit to her cousin St. Elizabeth. Her song of 7. her Son. Her wonderment at His Her power with her Son at Cana of when preaching in Galilee. Her She stands by the Cross. Jesus com- Her prayer with the Disciples in the Upper Chamber at Pentecost. Her characteristics and virtues-viz. her fortitude and humility, 142 Prophetic types and figures of the INTRODUCTION. |