Some have doubt whether Peter and Paul suffered death in one day, for some say it was the same one day, but one a year after the other.  And Jerome and all the Saints that treat of this matter accord that it was on one day and one year, and so is it contained in an epistle of Denis, and Leo the pope saith the same in a sermon, saying:  We suppose but that it was not done without cause that they suffered in one day and in one place the sentence of the tyrant, and they suffered death in one time, to the end that they should go together to Jesu Christ, and both under one persecutor to the end that equal cruelty should strain that one and that other.  The day for their merit, the place for their glory, and the persecution overcome by virtue.

Though they suffered both death in one day and in one hour, yet it was not in one place but in diverse within Rome, and hereof saith a versifier in this wise:  Ense coronatus Paulus, cruce Petrus, eodem—­Sub duce, luce, loco, dux Nero, Roma locus.  That is to say, Paul crowned with the sword, and Peter had the cross reversed, the place was the city of Rome.  And howbeit that they suffered death in one day, yet St. Gregory ordained that that day specially should be the solemnity of St. Peter, and the next day commemoration of St. Paul, for the church of St. Peter was hallowed that same day, and also forasmuch as he was more in dignity, and first in conversion, and held the principality at Rome.

THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE

St. Paul the apostle, after his conversion, suffered many persecutions, the which the blessed Hilary rehearseth shortly, saying:  Paul the Apostle was beaten with rods at Philippi, he was put in prison, and by the feet fast set in stocks, he was stoned in Lystra.  In Iconia and Thessalonica he was pursued of wicked people.  In Ephesus he was delivered to wild beasts.  In Damascus he was let by a lepe down of the wall.  In Jerusalem he was arrested, beaten, bound, and awaited to be slain.  In Caesarea he was inclosed and defamed.  Sailing toward Italy he was in peril of death, and from thence he came to Rome and was judged under Nero, and there finished his life.  This saith St. Hilary:  Paul took upon him to be apostle among the Gentiles.  In Lystra was a contract which he lost and redressed.  A young man that fell out of a window and died, he raised to life, and did many other miracles.  At the Isle of Melita a serpent bit his hand, and hurted him not, and he threw it into the fire.  It is said that all they that came of the progeny and lineage of that man that then harbored Paul may in no wise be hurt of no venemous beasts, wherefore when their children be born they put serpents in their cradles for to prove if they be verily their children or no.  In some place it is said that Paul is less than Peter, otherwhile more, and sometimes equal and like, for in dignity he is less, in preaching greater, and in holiness