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 are, 1. Antiquitie, 2. Multitude of followers of some one doctrine. 3. Succession in some one companie of Bishops, chiefly of Rome. 4. Miracles. 5. Continuance. 6. Vnitie and concord. 7. Efficacie of doctrine. 8. Holines of life in the Authors and Fathers of the religion. 9. The gift of prophesy. 10. Temporall felicitie. 11. The title of Church Apostolicall, or that it is one, holy, Catho∣licke, Apostolicke Church, these the notes of a true Church?

No, 1 Because the names without the substance are not of force.

2 From names proceed not a true and Apodeicticall, but a false, demonstration of the matter.

3 These Notes are common vnto Turkes and Heretikes also: for they may vsurpe these titles, by which they may confirme that their rowts are and haue beene the true Churches of God, which is absurd.

4 Neither haue all those notes begun with the Church.

5 Neyther are they perpetuall and proper euerie way, nor, Essentiall, which are alwaies naturally in the thing it selfe, be∣ing vnchangeable, and the causes of that thing whereof they are notes; but the most part seperable accidents, and these notes themselues ought to bee examined according to the word of God.

Moreouer. 1 The Church which now is ancient, in time past was new. And Ezech. 20.18.19. ƲƲalke ye not in the ordinances of your fathers, I am the Lord, vvalke in my Sta∣tutes. And Tertull. Lib. de praescriptionibus. Euerie first thing truest. And Ignatius, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Christ is to mee the old Church, whom not to obey, is manifest destru∣ction; and Cyprian, custome vvithout truth, is the antiquitie of errour.

2 The broad way leadeth to destruction, and many there bee which goe in thereat, Math. 7.13.

3 Hierome saith, They are not the sonnes of the Saints, which pos∣sesse their places, but which doe their workes. And, succession auai∣leth not, where there is no succession of faith and doctrine: nei∣ther is succession to be tied vnto one seate, vnto one place,

or vnto one Church: for God can raise vp Pastors diuers waies, and in diuers places, as shal seeme best to himself. Moreouer they succeed the Apostles, who being lawfully thereunto called, doe discharge their dutie in the Church faithfully, although not in a continuall succession from the Apostles. Besides God is wont, when the Church is in a desperate estate, to raise vp ministers after an extraordinarie manner. And Tertul. lib. de praescriptionibus saith, that faith ought not to be tried by the persons, but the persons by faith. And Ambrose, de poenit. lib. 1. cap. 1. They haue not Peters inheri∣tance, which haue not the faith of Peter.

4 Miracles are to be iudged, by Doctrine, not Doctrine by mi∣racles, also there are some to be throwen into hell, which haue wrought miracles in Christ name, Math. 7.23.

5 Also the diuel hath a Church, euen frō Cain to the worlds end.

6 Neither is vnitie, of it selfe a note of the Church, except it be ioined with faith and true doctrinea 1.1, for as there is one Church of God, so is there one Babylon of the diuels, saith Augustine: the godly also may in some points disagreeb 1.2.

7 The Apostle, 2. Thess. 2.9. saith that Antichrist shall come by the effectuall working of Sathan, and that God will send an effectuall working of errour, to those that loue not the truth, that they should beleeue lies.

8 Doctrine is the onely witnesse of holinsse: Euen Sathan can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light, and true holinesse, floweth from a true faith. 2. Cor. 11.14. Act. 15.9. Although an An∣gell, or a Saint come downe from heauen, and bring not true Do∣ctrine, he is to be reiected, Gal. 1.8. And that saying of Christ, by their fruits ye shall know them, Math, 7.20. The fathers will not haue to be vnderstood of manners, but of false opinions, and false interpretations.

9 But the gife of prophecying is not perpetuall in the Church: for that place of Ioel cap. 2.18. Doth describe the state of the Church what it should be in the time of the Apostles, and of the Primitiue Church onely, Act. 2.17.18. And diuels also, and false Prophets may foretell some things to comec 1.3.

10 Temporall felicitie, was rather woont to bee contrarie vnto the Churchd 1.4.

11 True Doctrine is the cause that there is one holy Apo∣stolicke,

and Catholicke Church.

12 Christ shewed no signe of them, but said said expresly. My sheepe heare my voyce, Iohn. 10.27.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Eph. 4.3
• b 1.2

  Act. 11 2
• c 1.3

  1. Sam. 18 19 Deut. 13.2. Num. 33 7 & 24.3 Ioh. 11.51
• d 1.4

  2, Tim. 3 12