CAP. III.
Of the Epistles which the Apostles wrote.
THe Epistle of Peter which is in number the first, hath bene receaued without controuersy.* 1.1 The elders of olde without any doubting, haue alleadged this in their workes, but the lat∣ter Epistle we haue learned, not to be allowed. And yet because it seemed profitable, of ma∣ny it was reade amongest the rest of the Scriptures: but the Actes, which are called Peters, and* 1.2 the Gospell vnder his name, and the preaching of his, published vnder his name, with the reuela∣tion termed his, are no where receaued, as canonical scripture: neither hath any auncient or newe writer alleaged testimonies out of them. but in the processe of our history, we thought good to si∣gnifie, together with the diligent annotation of successions: what ecclestasticall writers there flo∣rished in their seuerall tymes: and what contrary allegations they vsed: and what writinges they lawfully receaued: and what they reiected. But of the writinges attributed to Peter, (whereof we acknowledge one Epistle lawfully receaued, and neuer doubted of, among the auncient fathers)* 1.3 thus much shall suffice. fourtene Epistles of Paul, are manifest and well knowen. but that diuers reiected the Epistle which is vnto the Hebrues, alleadging the contradiction of the Churche of Rome, that it was not Paules: I thinke it requisite to knowe, and what our Predecessors hereof haue thought: I will lay downe when occasion serueth. The Actes which goe vnder the name of Paule, were neuer taken as vndoubted. And because the same Apostle in his Epistle vnto the Ro∣maines, saluteth certayne, and amongest others Hermes: therefore appoynt they the booke called Pastor to be his, which hath bene gaynesayd of many, therefore not to be numbred amonge those bookes, which are for certayne. Others thought this booke very necessary, especially vnto them that haue neede of an elementall introduction, but we haue knowne him to haue bene publikely reade in the Churche, and alleadged of many auncient writers in their workes. let this much be spoken of the holy Scriptures, as well of the generally receaued, as of the doubtfully reiected.