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.

Hovv many are the proper and peculiar meanes ordeined by God for the Elect?

They are sixe, which being referred to Election, or the Prede∣stination of the Elect, are properly the effectes thereof: but com∣pared one with an other, and to the ende of Election, may bee called both the causes and effects. And three are like mediate cau∣ses, the other three like the effects.

The first meanes is Christ, not as the word is singly, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) consubstantiall and equall with the father in all pointes (for so is he the first cause of our Election together with the father and the holy Ghost, and not the second, Iohn 13.18. I knowe whom I haue chosen.) but as hee is the Mediatour, in whome the father might choose, according to that saying of the Apostle, In him wee were chosen, before the foundations of the world were layed, Eph. 1.4. and through whom, being applied to the Elect, God would both re∣mit sinnes, as also impute perfect righteousnesse: by which name Christ himselfe beeing defined, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is called a man as it were appointed, Act. 17.31. and which was ordeined before the foun∣dation of the world, but was declared in the last times for our sakes, 1. Pet. 1.20. Therefore the Father hath ordeined his Sonne, that he might assume an humane nature into the vnitie of his Person, who suffered and was dead for the satisfaction of the Elect, that hee

might redeeme them from iniquitie, and might rise againe for their iustification.a 1.1 Finally, who to the Elect, which apply him to themselues through faith, might be VVisedome, and righteous∣nesse, Sanctification and Redemption, 1. Cor. 1.30. In choosing and appointing which meane, all these miracles of God, saith Ber∣nard, doe at once concurre. 1. Gods iustice, his mercie towards his Elect, as also his iustice in punishing their sinnes in his belo∣ued one. 2. In one and the selfe same person of Christ, God and man. 3. One and the same woman, a mother and a vir∣gin. 4. One and the same Sonne, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) without fa∣ther, without mother. 5. And the same Christ, our Iudge and Aduocate.

The second meane is Vocation, effectuall vnto true repen∣tance, and acknowledging of Christ, through the inspiration of the holy Ghost,b 1.2 Ordinarie in them that are of yeeres, through the preaching of the Gospell: Extraordinarie also, as in Infants that are elected, as namely Iohn Baptist in his mothers wombe,c. 1.3 and in some that are deafe, the meane thereof beeing vnknowne vnto vs.

The third meane is faith in Christ, or the applying of Christ by faith, whereupon our most straight coniunction with him, our vnion, our incorporation, or societie, and ingrafting into him followeth.d 1.4

From these follow three effects, Iustification before God, which consisteth in the imputation of Christs righteousnesse: Iustifica∣tion, by which the Elect hauing the holy Ghost freely bestowed on them are renewed in the spirit of their minde, and are made new men, which by them also worketh good workes, which are pleasing and acceptable to God for Christs sake: and Glorifica∣tion through the same Christ: which very meanes, Gods Prede∣stination ordeyned from the beginning; these and euery of them, God of his meere grace applyeth to euery of the Elect by the effectuall preaching of the Gospell, whensoeuer hee pleaseth, sometime sooner, sometime later, euen as God him∣selfe doth will, and decerne most wisely and most merci∣fully.

And this is the true golden chaine of Saluation; and indisso∣luble knot, which leadeth from the supreme cause, thorough

meanes ordeined and applied to the last effect. The ende there∣fore cannot be hoped for, without the meanes thereof, neither ought th end to be separated from the meanes, neyther may we, omitting the meanes, runne from one end to another.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Rom. 4.25
• b 1.2

  Rom. 8.30 ad Tit. 2.14. &. 3.7.
• c. 1.3

  Luk. 1.44.
• d 1.4

  Iohn. 15.5 & 17.21. Gal. 3.27.28. Ephes. 3.6. 1. Iohn 1.3 Rom. 11.17.