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.

Which are iust warres?

1 Those, which without the manifest danger of the whole common wealth, and of the common safetie cannot bee preter∣mitted.

2 Those, which are commaunded by the chiefe magistrate to whom the care of the commonwealth is committed, or else by him that hath the gouernment thereof vnder him: and in this case the priuate person must follow that commission that he hath receiued of his superiour magistrate: for this action of warre is the principall part of the higher power.

3 The warre must be vndertaken vpon a cause iust, and neces∣sarie, and agreeable to the word of God.

4 The warre must first be denounced to the enemie, and the matters, for which they warre, must first be rehearsed, that is to say, there must be no warlike action vsed, nor hostilitie perfor∣med, vntill first the Heralds, that is, the publike messengers of armes, and of warre, haue denounced the same vnto the enemie, and offered conditions of peacea 1.1.

5 They must be made with a right intention, not in desire to hurt, or in crueltie, but labouring for peace, and to bridle the wic∣ked, and relieue the good. For as Augustine saith, Men doe not seeke peace to the intent to make warre,* 1.2 but they make warre to the in∣tent to seeke peace.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Deut. 20, 10 Gen. 11.12
• * 1.2

  Libro. 5. de verbis dōini.