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.

But why appeared he not to all, or at least to the chiefe Priests and Elders of the people?

1. Because, as the kingdome of Christ is not of this world,a 1.1 so neither doth it depend of mans patronage.

2. As with God there is a time of mercie, so also there is a time of iudgement.

3. Because the resurrection of Christ was foretold by the Pro∣phets, publickly preached by the Apostles, proclaimed to all nati∣ons, and confirmed enough and more then enough by testimonies which followed the ascension, as. First, by the visible giuing of the holy Ghost in the day of Pentecost. 2. By the gift of tongues. 3. By the admirable audacitie and confidence which appeared in the Apostles. 4. By the efficacie of the Gospell in conuerting very many. 5. By the miracles done by the Apostles, by inuocation of Christf 1.2. 6. By the appearance of the Lord himselfe vnto Stephen, when he was stonedg 1.3, and to Paule when he went to Damascush 1.4. 17. By the preseruation of the Church according to Christs pro∣mises. Mat. 16.18. The gates of hell shall not preuaile against it. 8. By Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord ⁱ. 9. Lastly by the feeling of Christ dwelling in the hearts of the godly, and by the earnest of the spirit.

4. Because the condition of Christs kingdome, which is of grace, is this, that it is not manifest to bodily eyes, but to the eies of the minde and faith, according to that, Iohn. 20.29. Blessed are they who haue not seene and beleeue.* 1.5

Notes

• a 1.1

  Io. 18.36
• f 1.2

  Act. 2.2.43. &. 3.6. & 4, 13.31.33,
• g 1.3

  Act. 7, 55
• h 1.4

  Ac••. 9.3. 1 Cor, 15.8.
• * 1.5

  1▪ Rom, 6, 4