The Argument of the Second Epistle of S. Paul to the Thessalonians

The second to the Thessalonians hath in the title as the first: Paul and Silvanus and Timothee, and so forth. And therefore it seemeth to have been written in the same place, to wit, at Corinth, where they remained ✱a year and six months, and straight upon their answer to the first epistle. [✱ Act. 18. v. 11.]

First he thanketh God for their increase, and perseverance (comforting them again in those persecutions) and prayeth for their accomplishment. Secondly he assureth them, that the day of Judgement is not at hand, putting them in remembrance what he told them thereof by word of mouth, when he was present (as therefore he biddeth them afterward to hold his Traditions ✱unwritten, no less than the written) [✱ c. 2. v. 15.] to wit, that all those persecutions and heresies, raised then, and afterward against the Catholic Church, were but the mystery of Antichrist, and not Antichrist himself. but that there should come at length a plain Apostasy, and then (the whole forerunning mystery being once perfectly wrought) should follow the revelation of Antichrist himself in person (as after all the mysteries of the old Testament, Christ Jesus our Lord came himself in the fullness of time.) And then at length after all this, the day of Judgement and second coming of Christ shall be at hand, and not before, whatsoever pretence of vision, or of some speech of mine (saith S. Paul) any make to seduce you withal, or of my former epistle, or any other. For which cause also, in the end of this epistle, he biddeth them to know his hand, which is a sign in every epistle.

Lastly he requesteth their prayers, and requireth them to keep his commandments and Traditions, namely that the poor which are able, get their own living with working, as he also gave them example, though he were not bound thereto.