Page:Lives of the apostles of Jesus Christ (1836).djvu/254



Jerusalem, and at Antioch, at these times. But this solution is rejected by the more candid Romanists themselves, who agree with the early fathers, asserting that Peter first went to Rome in the reign of Nero. (See Pagi Crit. Bar. ann. 43.)
 * olics, is, that Peter often made long journeys; and he might happen to be at

4. Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans in the year 59, as is supposed. And from this epistle it is almost certain, Peter was not then at Rome; and highly probable he had never been there. Throughout the epistle, Peter's name is not even mentioned; nor is that of Linus or Cletus, his supposed assistants, who always, it is said, supplied his place when he was absent. Indeed, so far as can be gathered from Paul's epistle, the Romish Christians appear not to have had, at that time nor previously, any bishop or any ecclesiastical head. The epistle is addressed "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints." (Rom. i. 7.) It exhorts them to obey magistrates;—but not to reverence and obey their spiritual rulers. (Rom. xiii. 1, &c.) It inculcates on them all, the duty of living in harmony,—of being modest and humble,—of using their different gifts for the common good; (Rom. xii. 3, &c.;) but gives no intimation that they were amenable to any ecclesiastical authorities. It gives them rules for conducting their disciplinary acts, as a popular body, (Rom. xiv. 1, &c.,) but does not refer to any regulations given them by St. Peter and his assistants. It contains salutations to near thirty persons, male and female, whom Paul knew personally, or by hearsay, (chap. xvi.) but neither Peter, nor Linus, nor Cletus is of the number; nor is any one spoken of as bishop, or elder, or pastor, or as clothed with any ecclesiastical authority. Priscilla and Aquila, and several others whom he had known in Greece or Asia, are named; and seem to be the leading persons in the church. Indeed, it would seem that no apostle had, as yet, ever been at Rome. Paul says he had "had a great desire, for many years," to visit them, and he intended to do so as soon as possible. (Rom. xv. 23.) And he tells them why he longed to see them, that he might impart to them "some spiritual gifts;"—that is, some of those miraculous gifts, which none but apostles could confer. (Rom. i. 11.) I may add, that Paul gives them a whole system of divinity in this epistle; and crowds more theology into it, than into any other he ever wrote;—as if he considered this church as needing fundamental instruction in the gospel, more than any other. Now, how could all this be, if Peter had been there fifteen years, with an assistant bishop to aid him; and had completely organized, and regulated, and instructed this central church of all Christendom? What Catholic bishop, at the present day, would dare to address the church of Rome without once naming his liege lord, the pope; and would give them a whole system of theology, and numerous rules and regulations for their private conduct and for their public discipline, without even an intimation that they had any spiritual guides and rulers, to whom they were accountable?

5. Three years after this epistle was written, (that is, A. D. 62,) Paul arrived at Rome, and was there detained a prisoner for two years, or until A. D. 64. Now let us see if we can find Peter there, at or during this period. When it was known at Rome that Paul was approaching the city, the Christians there went twenty miles to meet him, and escort him;—so eager were they to see an apostle of Jesus Christ. Three days after his arrival, "Paul called the chief of the Jews together," to have conversation with them. They had heard nothing against him, and they were glad to see him,—for they wished to hear more about the Christian sect; "for," said they, "as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where spoken against;" and "we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest." (Acts xxviii. 22.) They appointed him a day, when they all assembled for the purpose, and he addressed them "from morning till evening." Now could Peter, the apostle of the circumcision, have been near twenty years bishop of Rome, and so full of business as to employ an assistant bishop, and yet the Jews there be so ignorant of Christianity, and so