The Fountain of Life Opened

There were the seventy also, whom Christ sent forth; but none of these were so much with Christ, or so eminent in respect of their place as the twelve. They were Christs family; day and night conversant with him: it was the highest dignity that was conferred upon any: and of this number was Judas. The Ancients have much extolled the Apostolical dignity. Some styled these twelve pedes Christi the feet of Christ, because they as it were carried Christ up and down the world. Others oculi Dei, the very eyes of God; they were his watchmen, that took care for the concernments of his name and Gospel in the world. Others mammae Ecclesiae, the breasts of the Church. They fed, and nourished the children of God by their doctrine. Now to be one of this number, one of the twelve, what a dignity was this?

There were the seventy also, whom Christ sent forth; but none of these were so much with Christ, or so eminent in respect of their place as the twelve. They were Christs family; day and night conversant with him: it was the highest dignity that was conferred upon any: and of this number was Iudas. The Antients have much extolled the Apostolical dignity. Some stiled these twelve pedes Christi the feet of Christ, because they as it were carried Christ up and down the world. Others oculi Dei, the very eyes of God; they were his watchmen, that took care for the concernments of his name and Gospel in the world. Others mammae Ecclesiae, the breasts of the Church. They fed, and nourisht the children of God by their doctrine. Now to be one of this number, one of the twelve, what a dignity was this?

(2.) Yea, he being one of the twelve, was daily conversant with Christ. Often joined with him in prayer, often sate at his feet hearing the gracious words that came forth of his mouth. It was one of Austins three wishes, that he had seen Christ in the flesh, Judas not only saw him, but dwelt with him, travelled with him, eat and drank with him. And during the whole time of his abode with him, all Christs carriages towards him, were very obliging and winning; yea, such was the condescension of Christ to this wretched man; that he washed his feet; and that but a little before he betrayed him.