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Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (pp. 71-72) <br>

Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (pp. 71-72) <br>

A<small>S</small> to the writings of '''Peter''', one of his epistles called the first, is acknowledged as genuine. For this was anciently used by the [[Apostolic Fathers|ancient fathers]] in their writings, as an undoubted work of the apostle. But in that which is called the second,¹ <ref>Crusé, Valesius, ''footnote'' ¹ Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (p. 71) <br> " ¹ <small>That this Second Epistle of St. '''Peter''' was not at first received in the church of Christ with so universal agreement and consent as the former, may be concluded from this passage in Eusebius. But notwithstanding, there are great and sure evidences of this Epistle being written by the acknowledged author of it ; as, '''1'''. The title of Simon '''Peter''', with the addition of “ an Apostle of Jesus Christ,” chap. i. I. '''2'''. There is a whole passage in this Epistle (chap. i. 16, 17) which doth signally belong to '''Peter''', that of having been on the holy mount with Christ, and hearing those words, “ This is my beloved Son,” &c., which certainly belongs to the [[transfiguration]], Matt. xvii., where only '''Peter''' and James and John were present with Christ. '''3'''. This is said to be a Second Epistle (chap. iii. 1.), written much to the same purpose as the former. '''4'''. St. Jude, speaking (ver. 18) “ of the scoffers that should come,” &c. cites that prediction from “ the apostles of our Lord Jesus,” (ver. 17,) where it is reasonable to believe that this Epistle (chap. iii. 3) is referred to ; for in it those very words are met with, (and are not so in any other apostolic writing,) “ Knowing this first,” &c. Compare Jude 17 and 18 with 2 Pet. iii 3. All this in all copies stands unmoved to secure the authority of this Epistle, and to convince us of the author of it. See Dr. Hammond's preface to the Second Epistle of '''Peter'''. </small>"</ref> we have not indeed understood it to be embodied with the sacred books, ''ενδιαθηκον'', yet as it appeared useful to many, it was studiously read with the other Scriptures. As to that works, however, which is ascribed to him, called “ The Acts,” and the “ Gospel according to '''Peter''',” and that called “ The Preaching and the Revelations of '''Peter''',” we know nothing of their being handed down as Catholic ¹ <ref>Crusé, Valesius, ''footnote'' ¹ Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (p. 72)— <br> " ¹ ''Catholic''. The word here plainly means universally received ; i. e. genuine, s it is happily rendered by Shorting. </small>"</ref> writings. Since neither among the ancient nor the ecclesiastical writers of our own day, has there been one that has appealed to testimony taken from them. But as I proceed in my history, I shall carefully show with the successions of the apostles, what ecclesiastical writers in their times respectively made use of any of the disputed writings, and also what respecting those that were not of this description. These, however, are those that are called '''Peter'''’s epistles, of which I have understood only one epistle to be genuine, and admitted by the ancient fathers. '''...''' <br>

A<small>S</small> to the writings of '''Peter''', one of his epistles called the first, is acknowledged as genuine. For this was anciently used by the [[Apostolic Fathers|ancient fathers]] in their writings, as an undoubted work of the apostle. But in that which is called the second,¹ <ref>Crusé, Valesius, ''footnote'' ¹ Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (p. 71) <br> " ¹ <small>That this Second Epistle of St. '''Peter''' was not at first received in the church of Christ with so universal agreement and consent as the former, may be concluded from this passage in Eusebius. But notwithstanding, there are great and sure evidences of this Epistle being written by the acknowledged author of it ; as, '''1'''. The title of Simon '''Peter''', with the addition of “ an Apostle of Jesus Christ,” chap. i. I. '''2'''. There is a whole passage in this Epistle (chap. i. 16, 17) which doth signally belong to '''Peter''', that of having been on the holy mount with Christ, and hearing those words, “ This is my beloved Son,” &c., which certainly belongs to the [[transfiguration]], Matt. xvii., where only '''Peter''' and James and John were present with Christ. '''3'''. This is said to be a Second Epistle (chap. iii. 1.), written much to the same purpose as the former. '''4'''. St. Jude, speaking (ver. 18) “ of the scoffers that should come,” &c. cites that prediction from “ the apostles of our Lord Jesus,” (ver. 17,) where it is reasonable to believe that this Epistle (chap. iii. 3) is referred to ; for in it those very words are met with, (and are not so in any other apostolic writing,) “ Knowing this first,” &c. Compare Jude 17 and 18 with 2 Pet. iii 3. All this in all copies stands unmoved to secure the authority of this Epistle, and to convince us of the author of it. See Dr. Hammond's preface to the Second Epistle of '''Peter'''. </small>"</ref> we have not indeed understood it to be embodied with the sacred books, ''ενδιαθηκον'', yet as it appeared useful to many, it was studiously read with the other Scriptures. As to that works, however, which is ascribed to him, called “ The Acts,” and the “ Gospel according to '''Peter''',” and that called “ The Preaching and the Revelations of '''Peter''',” we know nothing of their being handed down as Catholic ¹ <ref>Crusé, Valesius, ''footnote'' ¹ Book III, Chapter III Of the Epistles of the Apostles (p. 72)— <br> " ¹ <small>''Catholic''. The word here plainly means universally received ; i. e. genuine, s it is happily rendered by Shorting. </small>"</ref> writings. Since neither among the ancient nor the ecclesiastical writers of our own day, has there been one that has appealed to testimony taken from them. But as I proceed in my history, I shall carefully show with the successions of the apostles, what ecclesiastical writers in their times respectively made use of any of the disputed writings, and also what respecting those that were not of this description. These, however, are those that are called '''Peter'''’s epistles, of which I have understood only one epistle to be genuine, and admitted by the ancient fathers. '''...''' <br>

Book V, Chapter VIII The Statement of Irenæus Respecting the Sacred Scriptures <br>

Book V, Chapter VIII The Statement of Irenæus Respecting the Sacred Scriptures <br>