short, this is what we have to remember from these titles which must serve as an
CHAPTER 1: The Calling and Preparation of the Twelve
short, this is what we have to remember from these titles which must serve as an instruction to us, even so that the doctrine which was brought by Peter, by John and by James, is so much more authoritative for us.
However, here we could ask a question, How our Lord Jesus Christ chose Judas Iscariot. If we say that he did not know him, he would therefore have prayed in vain, and would not have been heard by God his Father. That would be an intolerable absurdity. But again we will see below that he knew the man's disloyalty. It was therefore not by mistake or inadvertence that he chose it. And why did he put him in this sacred number, of which he says and pronounces that he chose his apostles to make them as judges and governors over the people of Israel, as if there were twelve princes over the twelve tribes? To put Judas there, a thief and a traitor, even a man who became an embodiment of iniquity, it seems that in this our Lord Jesus Christ appears to have done something astonishing. But let us note first of all: that it was necessary for us to be by this means armed and equipped against the scandals which occur every day. It is true that in general we will also be amazed when we see that God permits wicked people to be who are advanced in his church, and who seem to be like the pillars of Christianity, until their impiety is discovered. And when it is said that he not only permits this, but that he disposes of it thus, who would not want to contradict it if it were lawful for us? Because we think, How? The church is called the temple of God. There must be no defilement in it, but it must be without spot or stain. And must he therefore allow there to be confusions and such pollutions, where there must be no one who does not have an Angelic purity and perfection? That is how we would judge the matter, even according to our imagination. But God wants us to exercise in another way, and wants (as we will see in his place) that his church be like a dragnet, where good and bad are collected, that it be like a threshing floor where chaff is mixed with good grain. Now, in a nutshell, we have indicated something of the reason. But still we would not know the reason, yet we must submit to his ordering even when the reason remains hidden. Because all our objections will gain us nothing. However, let us note (as Paul says when speaking of heresies) that there must be some, so that those who are truly approved by God, may be plainly revealed. And why? When things are well managed, and great and small live in harmony to serve God, even if there are some hypocrites, they will be ashamed and put on a good face: and they will even want to be the most advanced. But when there comes some trouble and scandal, then those who have not had a living root, and the fear of God well rooted in their hearts, will abuse such an opportunity,