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.

Tell me whether beside this Passiue righteousnesse, the Actiue obe∣dience of Christ also, whereby he did fulfill the law, be im∣puted vnto vs by God for righteousnes, that is to say, whether are we iustified for the obedience that he performed vnto the law? Or whether is our sal∣uation only to be ascribed to the death and passion of Christ, or else to his actiue life, and to his inherent holi∣nesse also?

Yes indeed. 1 Because the actuall disobedience of Adam had made vs sinners: And therefore by the contrarie the Ac∣tuall obedience of Christ hath made vs righteous, Rom. 5.19. And verse 10. If when we were enemies, we were reconciled by the death of the sonne, much more being reconciled shall we be saued by his life.

2 Because we did not onely stand in need of a satisfaction for sinne for the taking away of death, but also of the gift of righte∣ousnes to obtaine eternall life, according to the precept and de∣maund of the law, This doe and thou shalt liue. And therefore Christ is not onely called the price of our redemption, but the end also, and perfection of the law to saluation, to euerie one that belee∣ueth. Rom. 10.4. And heereupon saith Ambrose: Hee that beleeueth in Christ hath the perfection of the law.

3 Because Christ did not onely offer himselfe to death for vs, but did also sanctifie himselfe for vs, that we also might be sanctified through the truth. Iohn. 17.19. And he is said, To be made vnto vs of God, wisedome, righteousnesse, sanctification, and re∣demption. 1. Cor. 1.30.

4 Because the Passiue obedience of Christ was not meerely & purely passiue, but his Actiue obedience did chalenge vnto it selfe the preheminēce in the same. Ps. 40.7.8. In the volume of the booke it is written of mee that I should doe thy will O my God, and I said

loe I come. And, He was therfore offered because he would. Esai. 53.7 And as our priest he did offer himself an oblation for sinne; and by his once offering hath he consecrated for euer them that are sancti∣fied. Heb. 10.7.14. the holinesse of Christ his sacrifice being im∣puted vnto them as the Apostle declareth verse. 10 By the which will wee are sanctifyed by the offering of the bodie of Iesus Christ once made.

5 Because whole Christ was geuen vnto vs with his benefits; otherwise if his passiue obedience onely had beene imputed vnto vs, it would followe that onely halfe Christ was geuen vs, namely a suffering Christ and not he that did those thinges that were pleasing to his father, a Christ that only taketh away sinnes and death, and not a Christa 1.1 that bringeth righteousnesse. But he is said to be borne and geuen not for himselfe but for vs, that he might bestow his whole selfe vpon vs, and might doe those thinges that were to be done for vs and might also suffer what was to be suffered for vs.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Isa. 9.6