Object. PEter certainly was the most eminent, because he was alwaies first named.
Ans. It is to be observed, that the twelve Patriarckes are not alwayes rehersed in the same manner or order, not in Gen. 49. 3. as in Gen. 27. and Gen. 30. and afterward, Numb. 1. & Deut. 33. yet in all these places Ruben is named first, but not alwayes, for sometimes Judah is named before him, as in Numb. 2. 3.
As then this were but a simple Argument for the prehemi∣nence of Ruben before his Brethren, because he is in the most places named first, being the eldest, so as simply doe they conclude for Peters supremacy before the other Apostles, because he is commonly named the first; which was rather because of his El∣dership then any priority before the rest; neither is he alwaies named in the first place, for Gal. 1. 9. the Apostle James is na∣med before him.
Againe, we doe not read that Peter did ever command his Fel∣lowes* 1.1 in office, but exhorted them; as in 1 Pet. 5. 1. he was also subject to accusation as well as the rest, instance concerning his preaching to Cornelius and his Family, for which being called to question by the rest of the Apostles purged himself, by ac∣quainting them with the whole matter, as we may read, Acts 11. 3. likewise being taxed by Paul for his dissimulation, Gal. 2. 8. by silence confesseth his fault; by all which it doth manifestly appeare, that there was no more superiority in Peter then in the rest of the Apostles.