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.

What call you things indifferent?

Basill calleth them such things as be in our power and indifferent.* 1.1 Na∣zianzene, such things as be placed in the meane. Chrysostome vpon the Rom. calleth them things indifferent. So then things indiffe∣rent are workes or actions which of themselues,* 1.2 and in their owne nature are neyther good nor euil, but are iudged good or euill by the circumstances of the vse of them. Or else those things or acti∣ons are said to be indifferent, which by the law or word of God,

are neyther precisely commaunded, neyther expressely for∣bidden to be done: As to eate flesh, or this kinde of meate, this day, or that day, or not to eate, to weare garments of this fashion or colour, or not to weare them.

For such things which are eyther expressely commaunded in the word of God, or are manifestly contrarie to the word of God, as to be present at Masse, to be partaker in superstitions con∣trarie to the word of God, and repugnant to the benefit of Christ, or else such as be impious, by reason of the opinon of merit or worship ioyned with them, are not middle things, and indif∣ferent.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉