8. Concerning the writers of the divine books.

D. By what method do we recognize the writers of the divine books? M. In three ways: either from titles and prefaces, as the prophetic books and the letters of the apostle, or from titles only, as the evangelists, or from the tradition of the ancients, as Moses is traditionally said to have written the first five books of history, although the title does not say this, nor does he report, "The Lord said to me," but as if about another, "The Lord said to Moses" (Ex 4:19). Similarly, too, the book of Joshua is traditionally said to have been written by him from whom it is named. And Samuel is held to have written the first book of Kings.

[2] Furthermore, it should be realized that the authors of certain books are completely unknown, such as the book of Judges, and Ruth, and the three last books of Kings, and other similar works; and therefore it should be believed that this has been divinely disposed, in order that other divine books also, not by the merit of the authors, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit, may be perceived to have reached so great a pinnacle of authority.