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.

Forasmuch as we haue no example or precept, in the new Te∣stament for warfare, is it vnlawfull therefore for Christians to go to warre?

No: For. 1. It was not the purpose of Christ in the Gospell to frame a politicke gouernement,* 1.1 but to erect a spirituall king∣dome.

2 As Augustine saith, They whom Saint Iohn Baptist com∣maunded to be content with their owne wages, he did not sure∣ly forbid them to goe to warre. And it is vsuall to argue from the Concreets to the abstractes: and the consequent followes

well, where there is no ambiguitie, as thus: Iohn Baptist inter∣taineth and approoueth of souldiers that remained in their offices, therefore also he approueth of warfare, for by the ap∣probation of the example in his proper subiect, the thing it selfe in generall is approoued.

3 If the Magistrate doe iustly punish those theeues, whose of∣fences are onely against a few, then by no meanes may hee suffer the whole land to be spoyled & wasted with robberies, & yet the offenders goe vnpunished. For, Hee beareth not the sword for nought: but is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doth euill. Rom. 13.4. And lawfull warres (whereof 1. Sam. 25.28. Abigail speaketh to Dauid, Thou fightest the Lords battels.) Are of publicke reuenge.

4 It is written, Hebr. 11.34. that, men that were truly a part Godly, did make warres, yea, and that by faith, and ouerthrew their enemies. But wee must remember this withall that a wise man must first trie all meanes before he goe to warre: And the magistrate must beware that he be not therein led by his owne lusts, or by any wicked or corrupt affection, but as Augustine saith, Let him euen pitie the common nature in that man, in whom he pu∣nisheth his proper and particular offence. And lastly, the warre must be iust. As for that speach, Math. 26.52. He that smiteth with the sword, shall perish by the sword, It is to be vnderstood of him, to whom the sword is not deliuered by the Lord, that is to say, hee that without any superiour authoritie, commanding or gran∣ting the same vnto him, doth vsurpe the sword to smite another man. And to Peter being a shepheard of soules, and a preacher of the Gospell, it was said, Put vp thy sword into his sheath: as in like manner that 2. Tim. 2.4. is spoken to ministers, No man that warreth entangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life: Onely they may with their exhortations and prayers be helpefull vnto them that fight iust battels, as Iosh. 6.8. commaundement is giuen that the Priests should blowe the Trumpets in the time of warre.

Lastly, that speach of the Prophet Micah prophecying of the kingdome of Christ, Micah. 4.4. They shall breake their swords into mattockes, and their speares into sithes, nation shall not lift vp a sword against natiō, nor learne to fight, is meant of the Christiās,

and thereby is shewed what their behauiour, and endeuour shall be, and ought to be among the Gentiles, namely that they shall seeke loue, and peace, and concord, which all they doe that em∣brace Chrst Iesus the Prince of peace, with a true faith, but out∣wardly to defend themselues against wicked men is not for∣bidden.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Epist. 14. ad Marcell: