because our Lord Jesus already had several disciples who willingly followed his
CHAPTER 1: The Calling and Preparation of the Twelve
because our Lord Jesus already had several disciples who willingly followed his doctrine. However, he leaves them as private persons, and takes only twelve. If we wanted to dispute here what greater virtue Peter possessed than another, what nobility there was in James, and what special dignity John possessed, we would be confused. And in fact, all such curiosity is cut off here, when it is said that our Lord Jesus Christ chose those whom it pleased him to choose, to show that it is not for us to call him to account, or ask what moved and induced him to act in this way: but that we must rest in his decree, even when the reason is hidden from us. And in fact, as for the salvation of our souls, it is certain that we cannot know any other cause, other than the good pleasure of God and his free mercy, which he was pleased to exercise. For if we believe that we are worth more than others who are neglected and abandoned, we thereby detract from the gratuitous goodness of God, by which we obtain salvation: and we do this if we want to be something before men and have some degree of reputation. For every mouth must be shut here, and we must know that God has chosen us, not for any value that he has found in us, or because we were better disposed than those whom he rejects, but in order to magnify his free generosity all the more.
So it was also regarding the office of the apostles. For it is certain that if our Lord Jesus Christ had wanted to choose people who were naturally fit and suitable for such an office, not a single one would have been found. Even the angels of heaven could not suffice for this: and how could poor mortal creatures supply what such a charge required? Now it was necessary for our Lord Jesus Christ to minister the mercy of God his Father here, of whom he was a minister. This becomes still clearer, in that he chose poor fishermen, uneducated men, who had never attended the schools, who did not know A from B, as they say. Afterwards, he did not take the others in the city of Jerusalem, or from the priestly order which was then highly prized and honored: but unknown people, who had not previously been in any esteem. We will see below the same of Matthew, as he was called. He sat at the customs post as a tax collector, who was detestable to all the people. Now if we want to know the reason why our Lord Jesus Christ preferred him as an apostle than those who were of higher rank and standing, it is certain that we will be confused, as we have said. Let us therefore attend to Mark's statement that our Lord Jesus Christ took those whom he wanted. By this (as I said) all our speculations and vain curiosities are kept in check, so that we do not presume to know more than is lawful for us about the works of God, and do not intrude too far into his counsel. Let us therefore be satisfied that whatever he does is governed by