A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

2 Bede, with some other, answer; that this may be a Surer word, not simply and absolutely; but in respect of the Gentiles: who might haply calumniate the vision of the Apostles, but durst not the oracles of the Prophets. As if Peter should say; You may perhaps doubt that particular sight we had in secret, but none will contradict the Prophecies manifested in public. Infidels being so well acquainted with Necromancy, might ascribe this voice to magic. As Psaphon was accepted of the Libyans for a great God, because certain birds had been first taught to sing this lesson, and afterwards being let loose into the air, did sing it; Magnus deus Psaphon. Or as Mahomet got the reputation of a great saving prophet, by a Pigeon trained to come to his ear, and there pick out corn, which his credulous followers believed to be the conference of the Holy Ghost: and by a Bull taught and tamed to carry the Alcoran on his horns. To prevent any such suspicion here, the Prophets are brought in, who did fore-tell all these things long before Christ came himself. Nunquid Magus Christus antequam natus? Could Christ be a Magician before he was borne? Thus there was a Celestial Word, whereby believers are confirmed: and a Prophetical Word whereby unbelievers are convinced. But this answer falls also short of satisfaction: for Saint Peter wrote not to Infidels, but to Believers; such as had already embraced the truth of the Gospel.

2 Beda, with some other, answer; that this may be a Surer word, not simply and absolutely; but in respect of the Gentiles: who might haply calumniate the vision of the Apostles, but durst not the oracles of the Prophets. As if Peter should say; You may perhaps doubt that perticular sight we had in secret, but none wil contradict the Prophecies manifested in publike. Infidels being so wel acquainted with Necromancie, might ascribe this voice to magick. As Psaphon was accepted of the Lybians for a great God, because certaine birds had beene first taught to sing this lesson, and afterwards being let loose into the aire, did sing it; Magnus deus Psaphon. Or as Mahomet got the reputation of a great saving prophet, by a Pigeon trained to come to his eare, and there picke out corne, which his credulous followers beleeved to be the conference of the Holy Ghost: and by a Bull taught and tamed to carry the Alchoran on his hornes. To prevent any such suspition here, the Prophets are brought in, who did fore-tell all these things long before Christ came himselfe. Nunquid Magus Christus antequam natus? Could Christ be a Magician before he was borne? Thus there was a Celestiall Word, whereby beleevers are confirmed: and a Propheticall Word whereby unbeleevers are convinced. But this answer falls also short of satisfaction: for Saint Peter wrote not to Infidels, but to Beleevers; such as had alreadie embraced the truth of the Gospell.