The Library
1780 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
201–300
2 works
251
Latin
De Lapsis
Cyprian of Carthage · c. 210–258
After the Decian persecution, an unsparing analysis of why so many complied so quickly, and a refusal to let confessors hand out forgiveness in place of the bishop and a period of penance.
c. 250
Latin
De Spectaculis
Novatian · c. 200 – c. 258
Against believers who defended going to the games by pointing out that scripture nowhere forbids it — and who cited David dancing and Elijah's chariot as precedent. Novatian answers that idolatry is the mother of all the shows, whatever has since been built on top of it.
401–500
1 work
c. 385–465
Coptic
Shenoute of Atripe · c. 348 – c. 465
The vast output of the abbot of the White Monastery, who ruled thousands of monks and nuns for eight decades: sermons against pagan landowners and their household shrines, letters disciplining his own communities, and rules enforced by beating.
501–600
1 work
c. 525–550
Latin
Finnian · 6th century
A tariff of penances matching each sin with its remedy, and prescribing that contraries be cured by contraries — the greedy to give, the angry to be patient.
701–800
1 work
c. 740–760
Latin
Egbert of York · d. 766
A northern English tariff of penances covering perjury, theft, violence, sexual sin, and the eating of blood, with reductions for the poor and the ill.
901–1000
1 work
c. 906
Latin
Libri Duo de Synodalibus Causis
Regino of Prüm · c. 840–915
A handbook for bishops on visitation, with the questions to be put to each parish, and a famous canon dismissing as delusion the belief that women ride out at night with Diana.
1001–1100
1 work
c. 1049
Latin
Liber Gomorrhianus
Peter Damian · c. 1007–1072
An unsparing denunciation addressed to the pope concerning sexual misconduct among the clergy and the practice of confessors absolving their own partners.
1501–1600
2 works
1541
French
John Calvin · 1509–1564
Four orders of ministry — pastors, teachers, elders, deacons — with a consistory of ministers and lay elders charged with the discipline of the whole city.
1560
Scots
John Knox and five others
Drafted in four days for the Scottish parliament, warm and narrative in style, defining the marks of the true church as the word preached, the sacraments rightly used, and discipline exercised.
9 of 1780 works