Reference Material
Front and back matter from the original Douay-Rheims Bible: prefaces, approvals, historical tables, glossaries, and liturgical calendars.
Old Testament
Front Matter
- Title Page Title page of the 1609 Douay Old Testament.
- Approbatio Latin approval from three Douay theology professors.
- Preface to the Old Testament The translators’ preface defending the vernacular translation from the Vulgate.
- Censura Latin certification of fidelity to the Catholic faith.
- Privilege French royal privilege granting exclusive printing rights.
Back Matter
- Historical Table: The First Age From the Creation to the Great Flood.
- Historical Table: The Second Age From the Flood to the call of Abraham.
- Historical Table: The Third Age From Abraham to the Egyptian period.
- Historical Table: The Third Age (cont.) Continuation of the Third Age.
- Historical Table: The Fourth Age From the Law at Sinai to the early kings.
- Historical Table: The Fifth Age The kingdoms of Israel and Judah through the captivity.
- Historical Table: The Sixth Age From the restoration to the birth of Christ.
- Table of Epistles Old Testament readings appointed for Catholic feast days.
- Glossary Index of principal theological and historical topics in the Old Testament.
New Testament
Front Matter
- Title Page Title page of the 1582 Rheims New Testament.
- Censure Ecclesiastical approval statements certifying the translation’s orthodoxy.
- Preface to the New Testament On the translation of Scripture into the vulgar tongues and the principles of this translation.
- The Authority of Scripture On the authority and infallibility of Scripture and the Church’s role in interpretation.
- Explication of Words Glossary of ecclesiastical and theological terms used in the translation.
Back Matter
- The Apostles’ Creed The twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed.
- The Evangelical History Chronological harmony of the four Gospels from the Incarnation to the Ascension.
- Table of Catholic Truths Catholic doctrines derived from Scripture, arranged alphabetically.
- Table of Corruptions Alleged mistranslations in Protestant English Bibles of 1562–1580.
- Table of Epistles and Gospels Liturgical calendar of readings for Sundays, feasts, and special occasions.
- Table of St. Paul Chronological table of St. Paul’s apostolic life and journeys.
- Table of St. Peter Chronological table of St. Peter’s apostolic life and martyrdom.