Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

Is it true therefore that God willeth not iniquitie. Psal. 5.5.

If you vnderstand it simply that God in no sort willeth it,d 1.1 the Scripture gainsaieth. For we read of Herode and Pilate. Acts. 4.28 That they did which the hand and counsell of God had decreed to be done. Also it ouerthroweth the Omnipotencie of God, as though it were done quite against his will. Therefore this case is to be cleered by this explication. That God willeth not sinne by his approuing will or his reueiled will, or voluntate signi, the will which he hath signified to vs: for by this he condemneth, forbiddeth, and punisheth it: But he willeth it by his Secrete will, voluntate arcani siue beneplaciti, which will though hidden, yet is most iust. Further, sinne ought to be distinguished into the action and malice of the action. From the first God can not be excluded, for in him we liue, mooue, and haue our being. Act. 17.28. But it cannot be denied that he is a willing sufferer, and a most wise ordainer, except the wisedome and power of God, be like∣wise denied. For sinne serueth both for the glorie of God, and the

e 1.2 manifestation of his Diuine iustice and mercie, and also for the saluation of the elect, To whom all things worke together for their good, Rom. 8.28. Yea euen sinnes, saith Augustine. Although not of themselues or from them∣selues, but this commeth to passe by accident, and from the goodnesse of GOD, and that in them onely to whom their sinnes are forgiuen, and their sinnes so farre forth as they are sinnes, were ordayned to this purpose, that the Sonne of God by his bloud might make satisfaction for them. Moreouer also he punisheth sinne by sinnef 1.3: therefore he willeth sinne not as sinne, but as it is a punishment or an act of Iustice. For euerie punishment of sinne is iust, and therefore God. So God will not haue incest to be committed as it is a pollution, and violating of the order of Matrimonie, and a transgressing of the lawe: and yet God willingly performeth the office of a Iudge, in as much as hee vseth both that incestuous copulation and o∣ther sinnes of Absalons to exercise his reuenged 1.4.

Notes

• d 1.1

  Isa, 19, 14, Rom 1, 24, 26.
• e 1.2

  Rom. 3.5.
• f 1.3

  Rom. 1, 21
• d 1.4

  2. Sam. 11 12. &. 16, 21, 22.