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.

But by what arguments is the faith of the Resurrection confirmed?

1 By fore-warnings and miracles, which were as Praeludia, and examples of the Resurrection: such as was the translating of E∣noch, and the taking vp of Elias into heauena 1.1: also the casting vp of Ionas whole, out of the belly of the fishb 1.2, a particular rai∣sing vp of the dead, as of the Damsell. Math. 9.25. and o∣thers.

2 By the signe and vision giuen to Ezechiell, of the field full of drie bones, which the Lord commaunded to receiue flesh and sinewesc 1.3.

3 By the Sacraments, for Baptisme is a seale of our double re∣surrectiond 1.4, namely, of the soule from sinne, and of the bodie from the dust, or graue: as also the Lords Supper is a most cer∣taine seale of spirituall grace, and of a perpetuall life to be heare∣after obtained in Christ.

4 By signes and similies expressed in nature, but first aboue all other in the Phoenix a bird of Arabia, of whom it is written, that waxing old, and being laid as it were on a funerally pile, built of the young twigs of Frankencense and Cinnamon, wherewith she hath filled her nest, albeit she is consumed into ashes, short∣ly after being watered from heauen, shee becommeth aliue.

2 In many small birdes, who in the Winter time lie hidd

in deepe fennes, and other places, as it were buried and dead: but in the spring time they come forth again aliue. 3. In trees & plants, which as it were dead in the winter, loosing all their brauerie, re∣uiue againe in Sommer.e 1.5. 4. In the seed, that is cast into the earth, and dieth, and afterward reuiueth.f 1.6. Whereupon saith Augustine, He that quickeneth the dead and rotten graines of seede, whereby thou liuest in this world, much more shall raise thee vp, that thou mayest liue for euer. 5. In the entercourse of thinges, the setting and rising of one & the same sun, sleepe & waking, labour & rest night and day, the day is deade in the night, and yet it with his brightnesse is renued to the whole word, saith. Tert. l. de Resur. carnis. Hereupon Iob. 17.12. After darknesse I hope for light. 5. The Resurrection is also proued by naturall arguments, An vnperfect thing is not capable of perfect happinesse: The soule loosed from the bodie, is as it were lame and maimed: Therefore it ought a∣gaine to be ioyned to it owne body in regard of happinesse. 2. That is not perpetuall, which is against nature: but for the soule to be seperated from the humane bodie, is against the nature thereof, because it is the beautie and subsisting 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the perfection of mans bodie, and which preserueth the personage or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 subsi∣stence of man departed, and gladly desireth to put on it owne bo∣die againe: Therefore, the soule shall not for euer bee separated from the body.

6. By the hand-writing of God written in the hearts of men, that is, by the testimonie of the conscience, of the reward of the good, and punishment of the bad: which is most of all felt euen at the point of death, as well of the vngodly, whose conscience is then more tormented with the thought of their life wickedly led, as of the godly, who reioyce in the spirit vehemently, that at length they are come to the desired hauen.

7 By the consent of al saints, before and after Christ exhibited in the flesh. For the holy fathers being as it were strangers here, ther∣upon confessed that they sought for a citie to comea 1.7. And being so earnestly carefull of buriall, professed that a new life was prepa∣red for their bodies laid in graueb 1.8. Also the martyrs would neuer haue susteined most grieuous torments with so stout a courage, if they had not hoped for the rewardes of their confession, their bo∣dies being raised vp in the life to come.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Gen. 5.28. Heb. 11.5 &. 2. Reg. 1.11
• b 1.2

  Ion. 2.11
• c 1.3

  EZech. 37.7
• d 1.4

  Col. 2.12.
• e 1.5

  Ioh. 14.7
• f 1.6

  1. Cor. 15.36
• a 1.7

  Heb. 11.13
• b 1.8

  Gen. 2••.4 19. &. 47.3••.