Vol. 2

CHAPTER VI. 377use of, before choosing apostles, bishops, and otherministers, shows plainly, that in this choice we mustdepend upon God. They are the officers of hishousehold, and it is highly just and reasonable, thathe should be the Master of it,be placed therein but by his own hand.and that none shouldIt is a visibleencroachment upon his rights, not to consult him atall in this choice : but it is no other than to mockhim, for men to consult him, when they either havedetermined within themselves, upon reasons altogetherhuman, or are resolved to choose according totheir own fancy." 13. And when it was day, he called unto himhis disciples :he named Apostles:"and of them he chose twelve, whom alsoJesus prays as man, but chooses as God, and assovereign Priest in the name of God. He consultsneither those he chooses, nor those from amongwhom he chooses them; but without any human respectwhatever executes his Father's will. Missionis so essentially necessary to a man's having authorityin the church, that Christ would have his firstministers bear the name of apostles or envoys, to theend their mission might be as well known as theirvery name ;and that all the world might be convinced,that there is no true mission in the church besidesthat which resides in their successors, which is communicatedby them ;and which, through them, runsback even to the apostles, and to Christ himself, byan uninterrupted succession." 14. Simon (whom he also named Peter), andAndrew his brother, James and John, Philip andBartholomew,"