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.

ƲƲhat are the contraries of faith?

1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Infidelitie, the vnbeleefe of all infidels, who say in their heart. There is no God. Psal. 14.1.

2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that difficultie to beleeue of the Christians, which heare the word, and doe not beleeue it, and which conceiue a faith of God, not according to the Scriptures, but according to the imaginations of their owne hearts.

3 Security of the flesh and contempt of Gods Iustice, wherby sinnes are punished.

4 The Iewes confidence in the fleshb 1.1.

5 Presumption and confidence of our owne strength, workes, merits, righteousnesse and worthines, such as was in the pharisies. Luke. 18.11.12

6 Confidence and trust in the helpe of manc 1.2.

7 That Academicall distrust and doubting of God, of the certaintie of Gods word, of the grace of God, or the for∣giuenesse of sinnes, that so, that selling of workes of supere∣rogation and suffrages for the dead, may the more easily be re∣tained.

8 Desperation.

9 The errrour of the Papists which say that faith is not onely of those things that are reuealed in the Scripture, but likewise also of those that are deliuered by hand without writing.

Also that there is a beginning or bringing cause of all other ver∣tues, for the which we are iustified. That there is a habite formed by Charitie vnto righteousnesse. Moreouer that faith and doubting are not opposites, and that wee can no otherwise determine of the fauour of God towards vs then by morall coniecture. Besides, what the Church beleeues, that is, the Catholicke truth, That faith may remaine in the wic∣ked, and that therefore it doth not iustifie▪ then which no∣thing can be said more slaunderous against sauing faith of which Christ saith: Hee that beleeueth in him shall not perish, but shall haue eternall life. Iohn. 6.40.

Furthermore, that faith is occupied onely in generall pro∣positions, as, Hee that keepeth the commaundements shall enter into life. And Hee that beleeueth and shall bee baptised shall be sa∣ued. But not in these Particulars, I shall enter into life, I shall be saued, or My sinnes are forgiuen mee. For it were a vaine confidence for hope to applie those generall sentences vn∣to particulars and seueralles which yet may bee deceiued, whereas Paule saith directly contrarie. Rom. 5.5. Hope maketh not ashamed. Lastly, they account it impudencie or presumption to hope any thing without desert.

10 The madnesse of certaine fanaticke persons, who doe seuer the internall word as they call it, from the ministrati∣on of the outward word. And finally the madnesse of the Anabaptistes who dreame of the perfection of faith.

Notes

• b 1.1

  Phil. 3.3.
• c 1.2

  Esa. 30.2