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.

Whether is it sufficient, that some worke should be good and agreeable to the law of God, if that it be done according to the law of God, in outward shew?

No, but 1. There is also required the inward synceritie of the minde which proceedeth from faith, whereby the heart is purifieda 1.1.

2 That we be certainely perswaded in our mindes out of his word, that that which we doe pleaseth God. For Rom. 14.23. whatsoeuer is done without faith, (that is whatsoeuer we take in hand, with a doubting conscience, whether it please God, and therefore whether it be commaunded of God, or not) it is a sinn.

3 It is required that we haue respect vnto god, and to his glo∣rie alone, as the cheefe end of a good worke. For the pharisaicall Hypocrite giueth almes, the publican not iustified geueth also: but his is abominable in the sight of God, because he desires to be seene of men.b 1.2. But this mans almes is a good worke not onely because it is commaunded, but also because it is done with sinceritye of the heart, and in faith, to the glorie of God. And ther∣fore vertues are to be discerned from vices not so much by the skill mouing them, as by the ends.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Act. 15.9
• b 1.2

  mat. 6.1.