13. And Peter again afterwards, when he had
overcome Simon, in sowing the doctrine of God among the people, and in
teaching chastity, stirred up the minds of the Gentiles. And when
these sought him, the Christians begged that he would withdraw himself
for a little while. And although he was desirous to suffer, yet
was he moved at the sight of the people praying, for they asked him to
save himself for the instruction and strengthening of his people.
Need I say more? At night he begins to leave the town, and seeing
Christ coming to meet him at the gate, and entering the city,
says: Lord, whither goest Thou? Christ answers: I am
coming to be crucified again. Peter understood the divine answer
to refer to his own cross, for Christ could not be crucified a second
time, for He had put off the flesh by the passion of the death which He
had undergone; since: “In that He died, He died unto sin
once, but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Rom. vi. 10. So Peter understood that Christ
was to be crucified again in the person of His servant. Therefore
he willingly returned; and when the Christians questioned him, told
them the reason. He was immediately seized, and glorified the
Lord Jesus by his cross.