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.

Seeing that vvhich is good onely in part, cannot satisfie the lavv of God, and therfore that cannot please God, vvhich hath the least imperfection in it, hovv then doe the good vvorks of the regenerate please God?

Not by reason of the worthines of the worke in it selfe, or for the excellency, order, or condition of the man: for they are al∣together vnworthie in themselues to appeare in the sight of God, because they are not the fulfilling of the law. But 1 by meanes of the person by faith reconciled, accepted and pleasing God, and iust thorow C••rist: euen as Gen. 4.4. The Lord had respect to Abell and to his sacrifice, but to Cain and his sacrifice he had no re∣gard. And, Hebr. 11.5. The person of Enoch pleased God, and therefore his works also, and because the person pleaseth GOD by faith, they are imputed vnto righteousnesse, that is, they are esteemed as iust, as it is written of the zeale of Phinebes, when hee thrust thorow the fornicators.b 1.1.

2 They please God, because they are brought into light, in∣to the sight of God, with the couering and vaile of the merite, and most perfect righteousnes of Christ, applied by faith where∣with the blemishes, and defects of our good works are couered.

3 Because God doth mercifully approue, and crowne them, not as they are in themselues, but as the works of his owne spirit in vs, and as the testimonies of our faith.

4 So farre forth as he doth consider them, not as they are in themselues, (but as they are presented in the obedience of Christ our Mediatour) in whom being most seuerely punished, and in his bloud purged, he beholdeth all those things which did make discord betweene vs and him.

5 Our obedience being but begun doth please God, as it were in the children of obedience, not of themselues, or their owne worthines, but thorow Christ according to that, 1. Pet. 2.5. Offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God thorow Christ. For which cause also the regenerate are sometimes called perfect.a 1.2 Saints and vndefiled in the way.b 1.3 Iust, without rebuke, vnblameable, vnreproue∣able.c 1.4.

1 Not legally, but euangelically, not simply and absolutely, but by way of comparison, or comparatiuely, namely so as per∣fect are opposed to rude.

2 By imputation, because the person is accompted iust, holy, vnblameable, perfect before God thorow Christ.

3 Also inchoatiuely, because the new life is begun in them.

4 In affection, not in action: I say in affection vnto godlines, not in the perfect action of godlines in the sight God, vnlesse it be by imputation.

Notes

• b 1.1

  ps. 106.33.
• a 1.2

  gen. 17, 1
• b 1.3

  psa, 119.1
• c 1.4

  Luk. 1.6