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.

With what titles are the ministers of the word adorned in the Scriptures?

With many and sundry, wherby they are admonished of the dignity and duety of their charge, for they are called.

1. Angelsa 1.1, because being sent vnto vs by God, they declare vn∣to vs the will of God.

2. Seersb 1.2 and Prophets, because they foretell of things to come, concerning the saluation of the beleeuers, and the damnation of the reprobates: they expound vnto vs the Oracles of God, pro∣pound nothing of their owne, but onely that that God hath spo∣ken vnto them.

3. Bishops or ouerseers and watchmenc 1.3, because they are set as Centinels and scoutwatches, that they may watch for the sal∣uation of the people.

4. Embassadorsd 1.4, because they ought onely to deliuer those things which they haue in commandement from God and not their owne.

5. The seruants of Gode 1.5, and seruants of Iesus Christf 1.6, because they must regard and doe those things that are Gods, and not their owne.

i 1.76. Gods witnessesg 1.8, because they haue beene vnto God truely, vndoubtedly, conscionably, and faithfully, a sure witnesse, ap∣proued by the word of God, and that not in words onely, but in life and death, yea and with their bloud if neede be.

7. Preachersh 1.9, because they preach and proclaime the Gospell, concealing nothing thereof.

* 1.108. Faithfull disposers and Stewards of the mysteries of God, because they giue euery one their portion in due season, andk 1.11 dispose all things according to the will of their Lord: that which the Lord hath committed vnto them they deliuer from hand to hand; And because they haue receiued the keyes from the Lord, wherby they open the kingdome of heauen to the beleeuers, and shut it to the vnbeleeuers ^l.

9. The light of the worlem 1.12, because they should shine before o∣thers in doctrine and manners.

10. The salt of the earth ⁿ, because they should not be themselues

foolish and vnsauorie, but ought to season others with the salt of Doctrine and life.

11. Husbandmeno 1.13 and sowersp 1.14, and planters, and reapers, because they shouldq 1.15 plow vp the hearts of men by the preaching of the lawe, and fit them for the receiuing of the seede of Gods word, and throw this seede into mens hearts, the force and increase whereof is onely from God alone.

12. Leaders, andr 1.16 Sheepheards of soules, because they must feede nourish, and refresh the flocke of Christ with heauenly foode, gouerne them with the sheepehooke of Ecclesiasticall discipline, and take care that the sheepe be not deuoured of the wolues, nor infected with the poyson of peruerse Doctrine, nor with the con∣tagion of euill manners.

13. Priests, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not in that they offer vnto God either Christ or any other propitiatorie sacrifice, but because by the ministery of the Gospell they withdrawe men from the profanenesse of the world, and offer and present them before God, and set them v∣pon the Altar Christ Iesus, by whose obedience they are iustified, and by whose spirit they are sanctified, to the end, their oblation may be made holy and acceptable before God through Christ. Rom. 15.16.

14. Begetters and Fathersa 1.17, for honours sake, in respect of them whom they teach, and Sauioursb 1.18, in which sence they are said to remit sinnes, which otherwise is proper to God aloned 1.19: but in∣strumentally, because the spirit of God in the preaching of the word is powerfull in the regeneratinge 1.20 of the elect.

15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fellow workers with God, ministers, andf 1.21 builders.

16 The trumpetg 1.22 of God, because they must proclaime perpetual warre to the wicked, and must stirre men vp to warre against the deuill and sinne.

17. The voice of Godh 1.23.

18. Fishers of meni 1.24.

19. The feete of those that bring the glad tidings of peace and good thingsk 1.25.

20. Presbyters, that is to say, Elders, because they must auoide youthfull inconstancie and lightnesse, and embrace and vse such grauity, as may procure them authoritie, and credit among the people.

21. Lastly, Christ could no way more honorably set fourth his ministers, then when he saith of them. Luk. 10.16. Hee that heareth you heareth mee; hee that despiseth you despiseth mee. And Paul 2. Cor. 3.8. could attribute nothing more glorious and ex∣cellent vnto the ministerie, then when he said, That it is the mini∣sterie of the spirit, of righteousnesse, of life eternall, and of reconciliati∣on. 2. Cor. 3.8.9.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Malach. 2.7, &. 3.1 Reu. 1.20
• b 1.2

  1 Sam 9.9
• c 1.3

  Ezeh. 3.17 &. 33.7. act. 20, 28
• d 1.4

  2. Cor. 5, 20
• e 1.5

  Titus. 1.1,
• f 1.6

  Rom. 1.1
• i 1.7

  Luk 12.42,
• g 1.8

  Ioh 15.27 Act. 1••8
• h 1.9

  Mar. 3.14.
• * 1.10

  Mat. 16.19
• k 1.11

  1 Cor. 4.1,
• m 1.12

  Mat. 5.14
• o 1.13

  Mat. 12.2 1 Cor. 3.9
• p 1.14

  Isa. 32.20 Mat. 13 32,
• q 1.15

  Mat. 9.37 Ioh, 4, 38
• r 1.16

  Ioh. 10.2
• a 1.17

  2. King. 6.21 1 Cor. 4.15 Galat. 4.19
• b 1.18

  Obadia. vers. 21 1 Tim. 4.16.
• d 1.19

  Mar. 2, 17
• e 1.20

  1 pet. 1.3, 23
• f 1.21

  1 Cor 3, 9.10
• g 1.22

  Isa. 58.1
• h 1.23

  Mar. 1.3
• i 1.24

  Mat. 4.19
• k 1.25

  Rom, 10.15