[Hilgenfeld regards chaps. 27–72 as part of the Jewish-Christian document called Kerygma Petri, of which an outline is given in book iii. 75. This he thinks was of Roman origin. Certainly these chapters bear many marks of an earlier origin than most of the pseudo-Clementine literature. Much of the matter is not found elsewhere in this literature: the tone of the discourse is much superior; the instruction represented as given to Clement, is quite well adapted to his needs as a heathen inquirer; the views presented are not so extravagant as much that occurs in the Homilies; the attempt to adjust the statements to the New-Testament narrative is skilfully made, and there is not lacking a great vraisemblance. It may not be improper to add, that the impressions first given in regard to this passage were made upon the writer of this note quite independently of Hilgenfeld’s theory; some of them committed to writing without a thought of maintaining that theory.—R.]