Lipsius on the Roman Peter-Legend [pp. 265-290]

1876.] ROMAN PETER-LEGEND. 281
fore the last calls to our mind Paul's assertion in Gal. i: 8:
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed." In Recog. iii: 45, there is a record of
Simon's feigned repentance, with which compare Acts viii: 4.
The covert attack upon Paul, as a teacher of Christianity, is
thoroughly exposed by Dr. Lipsius in the Pctrus-sa~e, pp. 34-40,
but the exposition is too long to be translated here. Again,
on page 44, he says: Malicious references to the words and
doctrines of Paul are not wanting. For instance, the story of
the ox (Horn. iv: 4): "Simon, having slain it and given his
disciples to eat of it, infected them with various diseases, and
subjected them to demons." Again, Hom. vi: 3 Peter relates
the story, and gives counsel to those who partook of the
table of devils;" and in chapter viii, repeats his injunctions
and commands to abstain from things offered to idols. These
passages plainly refer to the teaching of Paul (i Cor. x: 20):
"But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they
sacrifice to devils, and not to God; and I would not that ye
should have fellowship with devils." The story of the " new
man," which, made not from earth, but air (Horn. ii: 26; cf.
Recog. ii: 13; iv: 44), is a reference to 2 Cor. v: 17; Gal. vi:
15; cf. Col. iii: lo; Eph. iv: 24). In the same manner, Paul
is meant, when Simon repeatedly appeals to Old Testament
passages, as proving his doctrines (Horn. ii: 39' 40; iii: 3, 9,
etc.); and when Peter, in reply to him, says: "If God is not
faithful to His promises, who shall be trusted?" (Horn. ii:
44; cf. Rom. ii: 33). In Recog. ii: 6~, there is also a reference to 2 Cor. xii: et seq., where Peter ridicules Simon's boast
to ascend in spirit into heaven and gaze upon the things contained there. Moreover, the cardinal doctrine with Paul, justification by faith, is opposed by Peter. "For even the Hebrews
who believe Moses, and do not observe the things spoken by
him, are not saved, unless they observe the things that \vere
spoken to them. For their believing Moses was not of their
will, but of God, who said unto Moses, Behold, I come to thee
in a pillar of cloud, that the people may hear me speaking to
thee, and may believe thee forever (Ex. xix: 9). Since,
therefore, both to the Hebrews and to those who are called
from the Gentiles, believing in the teachers of truth is of God,