Of the Decretal Epistles forged in the Names of the first holy Martyrs and Bishops of Rome. The first was sent (as they pretend) from S. Clement, by S. Peter's order, to S. James the Bishop of Jerusalem, seven years after he was dead; and by the best Account 27. S. Clement's Recognitions a confessed Forgery.

To stumble in the Threshold is Ominous: If the first of all the Decretals be a Forgery, it is a leading Card to the residue.

Binius his Title, and the Text of the Pontifical, is represented thus.

He made two Epistles that are called Canonical. This man, by the Precept of S. Peter, undertook the Government of the Church; as by Jesus Christ our Lord the Chair was committed to him. In the Epistle which he wrote to S. James, you shall find after what manner the Church was committed from S. Peter. Linus and Cletus are therefore recorded to be before him, because they were made Bishops by the Prince of the Apostles himself, and ordained to the Priest=like Office before him.

He made two Epistles called Canonical.] These words are adapted to the 84th Canon of the Apostles, where two Epistles of Clement, and his eight Books of Ordinations, are made parts of the Canonical Scripture.

In the Epistle which he wrote to S. James.] Here the Pontifical openly voucheth his Epistle to S. James; which Binius afterwards tells you was written to Simeon. If the Pontifical be right, Binius was overseen, in saying, the name of S. James crept by corruption into the Title of the Epistle, for that of Simeon. The Tales do not hang together.

They were made Bishops by the Prince of the Apostles, &c.] You understand here, that S. Peter out of his superabundant care for the Church, made three Bishops of Rome in his own life time: So that Rome had four Popes at once, S. Peter, S. Clement, S. Linus, and S. Cletus. Some think that Linus and Cletus were S. Clement's Adjutants in External Affairs: Some, that they succeeded each other in order: Some, that they presided over the Church together.