Page:Anglo-Saxon version of the Hexameron of St. Basil.djvu/22

Rh on the nativity of one apostle clearly proves, that in Ælfric's estimation (like in that of Bede and of Alfred the Great) St. Paul was esteemed altogether the equal of St. Peter. "Paulus is se ðreotteoða ðyses heapes. he næs na lichamlice on life mid Christe. ac he hine geceas siððan of heofenum. and he is geendebyrd to Petre. for his micclum geearnungum and gedeafum on Godes willan," &c. "Paul is the thirteenth of this company; he was not bodily in life with Christ, but He chose him afterwards from heaven, and he is set in order with Peter for his great merits, and labours, by the Lord's will." Again, in the homily for the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, we read: "Ðonne sceal gehwa him æteowian hwæt he mid ðam punde geteolod hæfð. ðær lætt Petrus se Apostol for ðæt Judeisce folc. Se he ðurh his lare to geleafan gebigde. Paulus. ðeoda lareow. ðær læt for fornean ealne middan eard." "When each shall shew to Him what he hath gained, with the pound; there Peter the Apostle shall lead forth the Jewish people, whom he, through his doctrines, hath reduced to the faith. Paul, the Apostle of the nations shall there lead forth almost all the world," &c. But not only is St. Paul esteemed St. Peter's equal, but St. James, in the homily upon that Apostle's festival, is thus described by Ælfric as succeeding Christ as the head of the Church. "He feng to Christes setle after his ðrowunge. and gymde ðæs halgan hiredes. Se ðam hælende filigde. and ðæra geleaffulra manna ðe on hire gelyfdon." "He succeeded to Christ's seat after His passion, and had charge of the holy family which had followed Jesus, and of the faithful men who believed in Him." So also in the homily upon Pentecost, "Ða Apostoli syððan. ærðam ðe hi toferdon.