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 how doth the ascension of Elias differ from Christs ascension?

As a shadow differeth from a bodie, or a picture from a quicke man.

For 1 Elias was translated into heauen without the panges of death, that God by this publicke testimonie might auow and rati∣fie his doctrine, and by this meanes might reclaime the Israelites from Idolatrie to sincere religion and pietie. But Christ before

he ascended, suffered and died; but he reuiued and manifested the glorie of his resurrection, by ascending, and confirmed also whatsoeuer was said or done by him.

2 Elias ascended by the ministerie of Angels in a fiery chariot,* 1.1 because (as Gregorie saith) Pure man needs the helpe of other things, neither could he ascend into heauen by himselfe, whom the impuritie of his flesh did oppresse and keepe downe. Bvt Christ was caried vp into heauen, not in a chariot, but by his owne power without the mi∣nisterie of Angels, because he who had made all things was by his owne power caried aboue all things.

3 Elias left vnto Eliseus his cloke & the gifts of the spirit doubled vpon him, but Christ compassed his Disciples with his cloke, that is, he put vpon them power from aboue, filling them with the gifts of the holy Ghost, and gaue vnto them power to worke mi∣racles double to his, & greater then his owna 1.2 not in nature, but in number and efficacie, or with greater effect, I say with greater power not of the Disciples, but of their maister who wrought in them: but especially the conuersion of the Gentiles vnto Christ by the preaching of the Gospell.

4 Elias was made a Citizen of heauen, but vnto a Christ alone is giuen a name aboue all names, and he is become so much more excellent then Angels, by how much he hath obtained a more excellent name then they haue. Ephes. 1.21. Phil. 2.9. Heb. 1.4

Notes

• * 1.1

  In homil, as∣censionis.
• a 1.2

  Ioh. 14.12