But by degrees the customs of the different Churches were levelled. Before the end of the 4th century all the Catholic Epistles were accepted as canonical in Europe, and in a large part of the Christian world which lay beyond Europe. This leads us to inquire why these Epistles bear the name of Catholic. The answer seems to be that the name Catholic or General was given to the more important of the seven, because they were addressed to the Church Universal, or to groups of Churches, and not to individuals or to single Churches. The words Catholic Epistles therefore signify Circular or Encyclical Letters. Origen gives the name of Catholic to 1 Peter, 1 John, and Jude. By the 4th century the name was applied to all the seven. There can be little doubt that 2 and 3 John are not Catholic in the sense of being Circular or Encyclical. But they were numbered with the others for the sake of convenience, being naturally associated with the first and more important letter by St. John. {222} The following table gives an idea of the gradual incorporation of the Catholic Epistles into the Canon. An * denotes a direct quotation or the expression of almost no doubt; a ? notes that the writer is aware of decided doubts, a () marks an uncertain reference. 1 2 J P P 1 2 3 a e e J J J J m t t o o o u e e e h h h d s r r n n n e I. COUNCILS-- Laodicea, A.D. 363 . . . . . . . * * * * * * * Rome, A.D. 382 . . . . . . . . . * * * * * * * Carthage, A.D. 397 . . . . . . . * * * * * * * II. EASTERN LISTS-- (a) _Syria._ Ephraim, A.D. 370 . . . . . * * * * * * * Chrysostom, A.D. 400 . . . . * * * Peshitta version, ? A.D. 410 * * * Junilius, A.D. 550 . . . . . ? * ? * ? ? ? John of Damascus, A.D. 750 * * * * * * * Ebed Jesu, A.D. 1300 . . . . * * * (b) _Palestine._ Eusebius, A.D. 330 . . . . . ? * ? * ? ? ? Cyril, A.D. 348 . . . . . . * * * * * * * (c) _Alexandria._ Clement, A.D. 190 . . . . . * * * * Origen, A.D. 220 . . . . . . * * ? * ? ? * Athanasius, A.D. 367 . . . . * * * * * * * (d) _Asia Minor._ Polycarp, A.D. 110 . . . . . * * Amphilochius, A.D. 380 . . . * * ? * ? ? ? Gregory Nazianzen, A.D. 380 * * * * * * *