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.

Who doe come worthily?

These doe differ, To bee worthy or vnworthie: and to come worthily or vnworthily to the supper of the Lord. For no where doth the Apostle so speake, That some are worthy, some vnwor∣thy,

but he speaketh of thē which eate worthily, & vnworthily Therefore they doe eate the breade, and drinke the cuppe of the Lord worthily, not which want the least blemish or spot of sin, of which sort there are none in the world: For by nature wee are all both vnworthy of so great a benefit, and not sufficient to, perceiue so great mysteries: but our sufficiencie is of God. 2. Cor. 3.5a 1.1.

But.

1. The which acknowledge their owne vnworthinesse, and bewaile it, and rely vpon the worthinesse of Christ, that is, They which are truely afraid in the acknowledging of the great wrath of God against their sins, and are grieued with their whole heart, because they haue offended God, who doe acknowledge & con∣fesse that they haue many waies deserued punishments for their sins, and haue in heart and in mouth that confession of Daniell, O Lord, righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee, and vnto vs open shame, chap. 9.7. Which motion is stirred vp in vs by consideration of Gods lawe, of eternall and temporall punishments: but especially by thinking of the sonne of God laid groueling in the garden, and hanging betweene two theeues vpon the crosse for our sinnes.

2. They which haue hungrie, and thirsting soules after the fa∣uour of God, and doe flee to the onely hauen of health, that is, to the mercie of God for Christs sake, the mediatour and are lifted vp with confidence hereof, and doe iudge with a firme assent, that they are receiued of God into fauour for his sake, and that the good promises in the Gospell are exhibited to themselues, that is to say, the communion of the bodie and bloude of Iesus Christ, and participation of the merit and efficacie of him, remis∣sion of sins, renouation, and life eternalla 1.2.

3. They which haue a purposed endeauour to amende their liues, and to yeeld newe obedience, that is, who haue determined nothing more surely, then to referre all there purposes, and en∣deuours to the honour of God: who haue remitted wronges and all their iniuries, as it is said Math. 5.24. Leaue thine offe∣ring before the Altar, and Goe thy way. First bee reconciled to thy brother. And they which are readie to loue all the members of Christ, to helpe them, and to bestowe themselues for them, ac∣cording to the example of Christ.

4. They which call to minde the sending of the son of God, his passion, and the whole benefit of redemption, and do giue thanks to God for it.

5. They which doe determine with themselues to die for the confession of the name of Christ. Finally, faith euen begun, with repentance, doth make them of vnworthy to become worthie. But this worthines is not to be meant concerning perfection, such as befalleth, no not to the most holy: But concerning the begin∣nings of conuersion, and faith, which may be felt in our selues, and acknowledged of others, by no obscure but evident signes and tokens.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Col. 1.12
• a 1.2

  Mat. 5.6