Concerning which, there have arisen two ancient doubts, like clouds to obscure the light of the Truth. Some have questioned the authority of this Epistle: others, the Author. 1. For those that have contradicted the Authority of it, excluding it out of the number of the Canonical Books,a Eusebius, bNicephorus, cHierome, andd Gregory, make mention of them. They tell us of some such quarrellers, they tell us not their names: Such there were, but who they were, they do not say. Therefore, let their opinion be buried in the dust with them: for, this Book lives while they are dead. 2. For the Author, some have denied it to be S. Peters: and to this error, the supposed diversity of the stile hath induced them. As if the same Author might not diversify his stile upon due occasion, according to the difference of the matter, or argument upon which, or difference of the person to whom he writes. The Epistle to the Hebrews is of a more accurate stile, than S. Pauls other Epistles: Yet by an universal consent it is agreed upon to be S. Pauls. Certainly, the Author of this must be some grand Impostor, if he were not one of those three Apostles,5 that were present at Christs transfiguration upon the Mount: where he solemnly professeth himself to have been. The three witnesses of Christs Clarification there, were Peter, and James, and John: No man affirms James or John to be the Author of this Epistle, therefore it must be Peter. And if he were not the Author of it, with what impudence should another Secretary call himself Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ? To allege, that Paul, 6writing to the Galatians, doth plainly testify, that he withstood Peter to the face, and that he was to be blamed: therefore it is not likely, that Peter would write so fair an Encomium of Paul, 7& ita admirandum praedicare. Such Critics are far from the sanctified spirit of an Apostle: for they, without respect to their private affections, or particular praises, sought only the truth of the Gospel, and the glory of their Master JESUS CHRIST.
Concerning which, there have arisen two ancient doubts, like clouds to obscure the light of the Truth. Some have questioned the authority of this Epistle: others, the Author. 1. For those that have contradicted the Authority of it, excluding it out of the number of the Canonicall Bookes,a Eusebius, bNicephorus, cHierome, andd Gregorie, make mention of them. They tell us of some such quarrellers, they tell us not their names: Such there were, but who they were, they do not say. Therefore, let their opinion be buried in the dust with them: for, this Booke lives while they are dead. 2. For the Author, some have denyed it to be S. Peters: and to this error, the supposed diversity of the stile hath induced them. As if the same Author might not diversifie his stile upon due occasion, according to the difference of the matter, or argument upon which, or difference of the person to whom he writes. The Epistle to the Hebrewes is of a more accurate stile, than S. Pauls other Epistles: Yet by an universall consent it is agreed upon to be S. Pauls. Certainly, the Author of this must be some grand Impostour, if hee were not one of those three Apostles,5 that were present at Christs transfiguration upon the Mount: where hee solemnely professeth himselfe to have beene. The three witnesses of Christs Clarification there, were Peter, and Iames, and Iohn: No man affirmes Iames or Iohn to be the Author of this Epistle, therefore it must be Peter. And if he were not the Author of it, with what impudence should another Secretary call himselfe Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Iesus Christ? To alledge, that Paul, 6writing to the Galatians, doth plainly testifie, that he withstood Peter to the face, and that hee was to be blamed: therefore it is not likely, that Peter would write so faire an Encomium of Paul, 7& ita admirandum praedicare. Such Critickes are farre from the sanctified spirit of an Apostle: for they, without respect to their private affections, or particular praises, sought only the truth of the Gospell, and the glory of their Master IESVS CHRIST.
- aHist. 3. cap. 25.
- bLib. 2. Hist. cap 46.
- cDe viris illustr. in Petro.
- dHom. 18. in Ezek.
- 5Matth. 17.1.
- 6Gal. 2.11.
- 72 Pet. 3.15.
