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.

Wherein do the word and Sacraments differ.

1 In nature: Because the word of the Gospell doth in expresse words declare, to wit, that we by faith are made partakers of Christ Iesus, and of all his merits: the sacraments doe represent them by signes: or that doctrine which the word doth deliuer cleare and more manifest, the Sacraments doe propound the same in a mysterie, and not so expresly.

2 In the instruments. The word is deliuered with the mouth, & receiued with the eares: but the rites of the sacraments are administred with the hands: and they are subiect to the eyes, and the other senses, and doe lead vs as it were vnto the thing present: as though wee should nowe in some sort touch Christ himselfe with our handes, see him with our eyes, perceiue him with our taste, and feele him with our whole heart.

3 In the subiect to whom. The promises of the word are generally, and in common pronounced to all alike, as well

to the vnbeleeuers as to the beleeuers. For the word must be prea∣ched euen to the vnbeleeuers. But the sacramēts are to be commu∣nicated seuerally to them which be probably known to be mem∣bers of the Church: and they doe apply and restraine the promi∣ses in a speciall manner to euerie one that doth rightly vse these rites: that, as certainely as thou doest vse the visible Ceremonie, according to Christ his institution: So certainely thou mayest, and oughtest to conclude, that Christ also and all his benefits do belong vnto thee.

4 In the measure of signifying: for the word doth especi∣ally teach; but the speciall office of the Sacraments is to seale: and further the word doth signifie, and apply spirituall things, but the Sacraments doe rather, and more especially represent and applie.

5 In order: for whereas the Sacraments are the appendices of the word, which doe confirme faith, it is meet that in such as bee of yeares, the preaching of the word should goe before, to be∣gin, and to increase faith, together with a manifest profession of faith, before they be rightly administred to any.

6 The word is auailable euen without the sacraments, as may be seene in Corneliusa 1.1. But sacraments without the word are of no force. For a seale without a Charter is nothing worth.

7 The preaching of the word, and that effectuall, is requi∣red in those that be of yeares, that they may bee saued. For Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10.17. Except it please GOD extraordinarily to worke in their hearts. But the Sacraments are not altogether expres∣ly nor absolutely so necessarie, that without exception, who∣soeuer inioyes them not, should therefore despaire of the cer∣taine hope of saluation. For that saying of Bernard is most true: Not the want; but the contempt of the Sacraments is dam∣nable.

8 Lastly, the word considered by it selfe alone, if it bee compared with the sacrament considered by it selfe a∣lone, is better and more excellent then it. Although if the sacrament bee added to it, it doth yet become more excel∣lent and powerfull, and more effectuall for the confirmation

of faith. Therefore we may not ascribe the greater honour to the sacraments then to the preaching of the gospell, that is to say we may not attribute more to the seales, then to the written Te∣stament of Iesus Christ.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Act. 10.2 3.4.44.45