OSEE born in Belomoth (as writeth S. Epiphanius [De vita & interitu prophetar.]) of the tribe of Issachar, prophesied in the reign of Ozias (otherwise called Azarias) Joathan, Achaz, Ezechias, Kings of Juda, and of Jeroboam the son of Joas King of Israel; and of the residue of the Kings of Israel, even to their captivity, which happened in the sixth year of Ezechias King of Juda. [4. Reg. 17.] This Prophet taking by God's commandment a fornicatrix to wife, and having children that became also fornicators, by these figures, and by a widow long expecting another husband, and the like parables, and other preaching, admonisheth both the Kingdoms of Israel and Juda, that for their obstinacy in sins, they shall fall, first the one and afterwards the other, into miserable captivity. [S. Jero. Ep. ad Paulin.] Exhorteth them to repentance; foreshoweth their release; and the coming of Christ our Redeemer, with abundance of grace, and benefits to all nations.

JOEL the son of Phatuel, born in Bethoron, of the tribe of Issachar, [S. Epip. de vita Patriar.] prophesied the same time, or part thereof, with Osee, according to S. Jerome's rule, approved by most expositors, that when any of these twelve Prophets expresseth not what time he writ, the same time is understood which the precedent Prophet noteth. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Juda, as appeareth by express mention of Sacrifice, Priests, house of God, Jerusalem, and Sion; but describeth also the whole land of twelve tribes, consumed by the Eruke, Locust, Bruke, and Blast. And after the eversion of the former people, the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the servants of God men and women: the 120 faithful gathered in the chamber in Sion. [S. Jero. Epist. ad Paulin.] Finally foreshowing the general Judgement, and future eternal world.

AMOS a herdsman of Thecua in the tribe of Zabulon, was indued with the spirit of prophecy about the same time with Osee and Joel, in the reign of Ozias King of Juda, and of Jeroboam son of Joas King of Israel, in Metaphors, and other obscure speeches agreeable to his pastoral education, but profound in sense, prophesieth especially against the Kingdom of Israel, and divers Gentiles; partly also against Juda, foreshowing their afflictions for their sins: [S. Jero. Epist. ad Paulin.] but at last the vocation of all Nations to Christ, with abundance of spiritual graces in his Church.

ABDIAS born in Sichem, of the tribe of Ephraim, prophesied the same time with Amos; so briefly that his prophecy is not parted into chapters: 1. against the Idumeans; foreshowing their destruction, 10. for their perpetual enmity against the Jews, and confederacy with the Chaldees. 17. The captivity and relaxation of the Jews. And redemption of the whole world by Christ. [S. Epiph.]

JONAS the son of Amathi in Geth, of the tribe of Zabulon, in the reign of Jeroboam son of Joas King of Israel, not only in words, but also in his person prophesied, and prefigured Christ; as our Saviour himself testifieth. [Mat. 12. Luc. 11.] And under the name of Ninive announceth salvation to all Gentiles that repent and return to God as Ninive did. [S. Jero. Epist. ad Paulin.]

MICHEAS a Morasthite of the tribe of Ephraim, prophesied part of the time with Isay, and the former five less Prophets [S. Epip. de vita. Prophet.]: against both the Kingdoms of Israel and Juda: foreshowing their captivities, and relaxation of Juda from Babylon: their conversion to Christ near the end of the world: and that in the mean time all other nations shall believe in Christ.

NAHUM born in Elcese a town in Galiley, prophesied shortly after the captivity of the ten tribes, against Ninive, about fifty years after Jonas' preaching, and their repentance; when they became more wicked than before: foreshowing their utter ruin and ignominy. [S. Jero. Epist. ad Paulin.] In figure of the destruction of idolatry in all nations, by Christ evangelizing and announcing peace to all that will believe in him.

HABACUC born in Bezochar prophesied the same time with Nahum, foreshowing the victories of the Chaldees subduing many nations, namely the Kingdom of Juda, destroying Jerusalem and the temple, and carrying the people captive into Babylon, and afterwards the ruin of the same Chaldee, and relaxation of the Jews: at last the coming of Christ, with divers particular Mysteries described in a Canticle from his Incarnation to the general Judgement and eternity of the next world.

SOPHONIAS the son of Chusi born in Sarabatha of the tribe of Simeon, in the reign of Josias King of Juda, somewhat before Jeremie (who began in the 13^th year of the same Josias. After whom followed Ezechiel, in the fifth year of the transmigration of King Joachin, and Baruch in the fifth year after the destruction of Jerusalem: then Daniel three years after him) prophesied the captivity of the two tribes, and their relaxation; likewise the ruin of divers Gentiles; the coming of Christ; conversion of Gentiles, excecation of the Jews, with their general conversion towards the end of the world.

AGGEUS prophesying in the second year of Darius Histaspis King of Persians, that is, in the 18^th year after the relaxation from captivity of Babylon, exhorteth to reedify the Temple, which had been begun and intermitted; promising much prosperity after the building thereof, and finally the coming of Christ desired of all nations; [S. Jerom. Epist. ad Paulin.] who by his presence will glorify this new temple, more than the former built by Salomon; and especially prophesieth the glory of his Catholic Church, which shall much excel the Church of the old Testament.

ZACHARIAS the son of Barachias, and Nephew of Addo, beginning two months after Aggeus, exhorteth also to reedify the Temple: and showeth by divers visions that the Church shall flourish, partly in that time of the old Synagogue, but much more after Christ's coming: whose first and chief promulgators of his Gospel shall be of the Jewish nation: but the far greater number shall be of the Gentiles, the Jews for their obstinacy rejected. [S. Jero. Epist. ad Paulin.] Yet they also in the end shall return to Christ.

MALACHIE (whom S. Jerom, and some others think to be Esdras) prophesied last of the twelve, after that the temple was reedified. He reprehendeth both Priests, and people, for that they did not offer their sacrifices with sincerity [In ca. 2. v. 7. & c. 3. v. 7.]; foreshoweth the rejection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles by Christ. Before whose first coming shall be one Precursor: and an other before his last coming to judge.