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 that discription of faith Heb. 11.1. differing from the rest?

No, forasmuch as therein there is exact mention made both of the forme of faith, which is declared in the words Substance and Euidence, & also of the obiects, namely, things hoped for, and things not seene. For by the word Substance, hee meaneth not a person, as in the article of the Trinitiea 1.1, but the ground, and as it were the prop, whereupon a godly minde must stay and relie it selfe, to signifie that faith is a certain sure & safe possession of those things which are promised vnto vs by God. As Psal. 39.8. My Hypostasis or substance, that is to say, My hope is euen in thee. And Heb. 3.14. We are made partakers of Christ, if we keepe sure vnto the end 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the beginning, wherewith wee are vpholden or vnderpropped. Some translate the word Hypostasis existence or subsistēce because faith in some respect, causeth things to haue a beeing as if they were, which in trueth are not, that is to say, it setteth things before vs as if they were present which onely are in expectation.

Budaeus translateth it Strength or Courage. In which signification it is vsed. 2. Corinth. 9.4. Least wee should bee ashamed 〈…〉〈…〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. In this constant boasting, & Cha. 11.17 By a word deriued from the verbe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is to sustaine, to except, not to giue placc to violence. Hereupon it is that a souldier is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is bolde, and hardie, and turneth not his backe to his enemie, but goeth to meete him and resists him, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 boldnes, whereby a man standeth stoutly to it, and with∣out stirring his foote, receiueth his aduersarie that inuadeth him. And surely this notable signification doth well agree with faith. For in the act of beleeuing, wee haue neede of strength and pati∣ence, we must resist the flesh, we must conquer reason, we must withstand our owne conscience, sinne, the wrath of God, and all other things whereby the consent of faith is hindered and op∣pugned. Wee had neede to be armed with such a strong shield that wee may receiue, and quench all the fyrie darts of the diuell Ephe. 6.16. and ouercome the world. 1. Iohn. 5.4.

As for the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is translated Euidence, it is not a refutation or a reproofe, but an argument & demonstration, that is an assurance, wherby the minde, being conuinced by diuine te∣stimonies, doth most stedfastly embrace the diuine promises.

But by the words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which are hoped for, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which are not seene is vnderstood the Gospel; & those things which, are offered in the Gospel; namely, fellowship with Christ, forgiue∣nesse of sins, iustification, Resurrection and life eternall. For these are the things we hope for, and which doe not appeare, and of themselues are not conformable vnto our reason, and so are they the misteries of saluation in themselues, and in their owne nature inuisible. But those things which we see with our minde, and in hope, we do behold them in the word of God, and doe accompt them as if they were done & accomplished and present before vs.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Heb. 1.3.