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the thoughts which they spoke were higher than their own thoughts, and the ways which they pointed out were truer than those which they had found.
But the Apostles, said Havilah, must have been pure; since their office was not only to speak as God gave them authority, but to reclaim men from infidelity and superstition. Theirs was the highest office next to that of the six revealers of God's dispensations: and though some were more excellent than others, yet all must have been free from great sins; and of their whole number, which our traditions relate to have been three hundred and thirteen, there can have been none so guilty as your Scriptures declare Judas to have been.
Eber replied, God rules in the hearts of all men; and in as far as he has given to any who are wise to make known his will and to convert their brethren, they may be said to be sent by him, and may bear the name of his Apostles: the number of such faithful servants cannot be reckoned by us, or by any men. But of those who were chosen or sent forth by Christ, and w ho in distinction from other men are called Apostles, it is clear that others besides Judas were not altogether sinless. Not
