Page:The ethics of Hobbes (IA ethicsofhobbes00hobb).pdf/389

be heads over the houses of their fathers, and princes of the tribes, and over them that were numbered." And these were every one equal amongst themselves. In like manner our Saviour took unto him twelve apostles, to be next unto him in authority, of whom he saith (Matth. xix. 28), "When the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his majesty, ye which follow me in the regeneration, shall sit also upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel." And concerning the equality of the twelve apostles amongst themselves, our Saviour saith (Matth. xx. 25), "Ye know that the Lords of the Gentiles have domination over them," &c. Verse 26: "But it shall not be so amongst you; but whosoever will be greatest among you, let him be your servant," And Matth. xxiii. 11: "He that is greatest among you, let him be your servant." And a little before, verse 8, "Be not called Rabbi; for one is your doctor, Christ, and all ye are brethren." And Acts i. in choosing of Matthias to be an apostle, though St. Peter used the part of a “prolocutor," yet did no man take upon him the authority of election, but referred the same to lot.

5. Again, Moses had the command of God, Numb. xi. 16: "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest that they are the elders of the people, and governors over them, and bring them unto the tabernacle," &c. And Moses, verse 24, did accordingly. And these were chosen to help Moses in bearing the burthen of the government, as appeareth, verse 17 of the same chapter. And as the twelve princes of the tribes were according to the number of Jacob's children; so were the seventy elders according to the number of the persons that went down with Jacob into Egypt. In like manner our Saviour in his kingdom of Heaven, the church, out of the whole number of those that believed in him, ordained seventy persons, which peculiarly were called the seventy disciples, to whom he gave power to preach the Gospel and baptize.