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| Chapter V.—No less evils have arisen from the same source in the most recent times. The martyrdom of Peter and Paul.
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Chapter V.—No less evils have arisen
from the same source in the most recent times. The martyrdom of Peter and Paul.
But
not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent
spiritual heroes.25
| 25
Literally, “those who have been athletes.” | Let us
take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and
jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have
been persecuted and put to death.26
| 26 Some fill up the lacuna here found in the ms. so as to read, “have
come to a grievous death.” | Let us set before our eyes
the illustrious27
| 27
Literally, “good.” [The martyrdom of St. Peter is all that is
thus connected with his arrival in Rome. His numerous labours were
restricted to the Circumcision.] | apostles. Peter, through
unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when
he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due
to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient
endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity,28
| 28 Seven imprisonments of
St. Paul are not referred to in Scripture. | compelled29
| 29 Archbishop Wake here reads
“scourged.” We have followed the most recent critics in
filling up the numerous lacunæ in this chapter. | to
flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained
the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness
to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west,30
| 30 Some think Rome, others
Spain, and others even Britain, to be here referred to.
[See note at end.] | and suffered martyrdom under the
prefects.31
| 31 That is, under
Tigellinus and Sabinus, in the last year of the Emperor Nero; but some
think Helius and Polycletus referred to; and others, both here and in the
preceding sentence, regard the words as denoting simply the
witness borne by Peter and Paul to the truth of the gospel before
the rulers of the earth. | Thus was he removed from the world,
and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of
patience.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
