the writing is neither by Peter nor by any one else who was inspired by the spirit of God.
The quotation agrees with one from the Gospel according to the Hebrews. See p. 4.
Gregory of Nazianzus, ep. 16. 'A soul in trouble is near unto God', saith Peter somewhere—a marvellous utterance.
(John oF Damascus), Sacred Parallels, A. 12:
Of Peter: Wretched that I am, I remembered not that God seeth the mind and observeth the voice of the soul. Allying myself with sin, I said unto myself: God is merciful, and will bear with thee: and because I was not immediately smitten, I ceased not, but rather despised pardon, and exhausted the long-suffering of God.
ibid. From the Teaching of Peter: Rich is he that hath mercy on many, and he that, imitating God, giveth of that he hath. For God hath given all things unto all, of his own creatures. Understand then, ye rich, that ye ought to minister, for ye have received more than ye yourselves need. Learn that others lack the things ye have in superfluity. Be ashamed to keep things that belong to others. Imitate the fairness (equality) of God, and no man will be poor.
Oecumenius on James, v.16. And that happens to us which blessed Peter says: One building and one pulling down! they gain nought but their labour.
LOST HERETICAL BOOKS
Three such are quoted or described by Epiphanius which may be properly reckoned as New Testament Apocrypha. I exclude the Gospel of Eve and such books as the prophecies of Parchor and other mythical persons, and the book of Elxai.
First is a book called the Birth of Mary.
Epiphanius, Heresy xxvi. 12.
(The Gnostics have a book which they call the Birth (or Descent) of Mary, in which are horrible and deadly things.) For they say that the reason of Zacharias being slain in the Temple was this, because, say they, he saw a vision and in his fear, as he was about to tell the vision, his mouth was stopped. For, say they, he saw at the hour of incense, as he was burning incense, a man standing there who had the form of an ass. And when he went out, they say, and would have said: Woe unto you! what (or whom) do ye worship? he that was seen of him within the Temple shut his mouth, that he might not be able to speak. And when his mouth was opened, so that he could speak, then he revealed it to them and they slew him. And thus, say they, died
