ls
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.

CHAPTER XX.

He exerts them to peace from examples out of
the Holy Scriptures,
20 particularly from St. Paul's exhortation to them.

YE are contentious, brethren,
and zealous for things that
pertain not unto salvation.

2 Look into the Holy Scriptures,
which are the true words of the
Holy Ghost. Ye know that there
is nothing unjust or counterfeit
written in them.

3 There you shall not find that
righteous men were ever cast off
by such as were good themselves.

4 They were persecuted, but it
was by the wicked and unjust.

5 They were cast into prison,
but they were cast in by those that
were unholy.

6 They were stoned, but it was
by transgressors.

7 They were killed, but by accursed
men