The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church established
by the Apostles, according to Christ's command,
7 after the example of Moses.
16 Therefore they who have been duly placed in the
ministry according to their order, cannot without
great sin be put out of it.
THE Apostles have preached to
us from the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ from God.
2 Christ therefore was sent by
God, the Apostles by Christ; so
both were orderly sent, according
to the will of God.
3 For having received their
command, and being thoroughly
assured by the resurrection of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and convinced
by the word of God, with the
fulness of the Holy Spirit, they
went abroad, publishing, That the
kingdom of God was at hand.
4 And thus preaching through
countries and cities, they appointed
the first fruits of their conversion
to be bishops and ministers over
such as should afterwards believe,
having first proved them by the
Spirit.
5 Nor was this any new thing;
seeing that long before it was
written concerning bishops and
deacons.
6 For thus saith the Scripture,
in a certain place; I will appoint
their overseers in righteousness,
and their ministers in faith.
7 And what wonder if they, to
whom such a work was committed
by God in Christ, established such
officers as we before mentioned;
when even that blessed and faithful
servant in all his house, Moses,
set down in the Holy Scriptures
all things that were commanded
him.
8 Whom also all the rest of the
prophets followed, bearing witness
with one consent to those things
that were appointed by him.
9 For he, perceiving an emulation
to arise among the tribes concerning
the priesthood, and that there was
a strife about it, which of them
should be adorned with that glorious
name; commanded their twelve captains
to bring to him twelve rods; every
tribe being written upon its rod,
according to its name,
10 And he took them and bound
them together, and sealed them
with the seals of the twelve princes
of the tribes: and laid them up in
the tabernacle of witness, upon
the table of God.
11 And when he had shut the
door of the tabernacle, he sealed
up the keys of it, in like manner
as he had done the rods; and said
unto them, Men and brethren,
whichsoever tribe shall have its
rod blossom, that tribe has God
chosen to perform the office of a
priest, and to minister unto him
in holy things.
12 And when the morning was
come, he called together all Israel,
six hundred thousand men; and
showed to the princes their seals
and opened the tabernacle of
witness; and brought forth the
rods.
13 And the rod of Aaron was
found not only to have blossomed,
but also to have fruit upon it.
14 What think you, beloved?
Did not Moses before know what
should happen?
15 Yes verily: but to the end
there might be no division, nor
tumult in Israel, he did in this
manner, that the name of the true
and only God might be glorified;
to whom be honour for ever and
ever, Amen.
16 So likewise our Apostles
knew by our Lord Jesus Christ,
that there should contentions arise,
upon account of the ministry.
17 And therefore having a perfect
fore-knowledge of this, they
appointed persons, as we have
before said, and then a gave
direction, how, when they should
die, other chosen and approved men
should succeed in their ministry.
18 Wherefore we cannot think
that those may justly be thrown
out of their ministry, who were
either appointed by them, or
afterwards chosen by other eminent
men, with the consent of the whole
church; and who have with all
lowliness and innocency ministered
to the flock of Church, in peace,
and without self-interest, and
were for a long time commended
by all.
19 For it would be no small sin
in us, should we cast off those
from their ministry, who holily
and without blame fulfil the
duties of it.
20 Blessed are those priests,
who having finished their course
before these times, have obtained
a fruitful and perfect dissolution
for they have no fear, lest any one
should turn them out of the place
which is now appointed for them.
21 But we see how you have
put out some, who lived reputably
among you, from the ministry,
which by their innocence they had
adorned.