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.

What was the first sinne of the Angels?

Some thinke that it was pride, according to that Eccles. 10.15. Pride is the beginning of all sinne. Others thinke it was enuie, where∣by Satan enuied that man was made after the image of God, accor∣ding to that Wisdom. 2.24. By the diuels enuie, death entered into the world. But Christ shewes (Ioh. 8.44.) it was lying, or the hatred of the truth, that is, of the euerlasting Gospell touching Christ, who should take our flesh vpon him, and of his grace which is needfull for all men to life eternall, and of the nature of man which should be exalted aboue all Angels. And therefore indeede it was the hatred they bore of Christs glorie and mans felicitie. Also it was their apo∣stacie and rebellion, whereby Satan fell from God his maker, and that very sinne which Christ calleth, The sinne against the holy Ghosta 1.1: because he fell wittingly and willingly, and of purpose from the truth, and that also with hatred of that euerlasting truth: whereof Christ speaketh, I am the truth, Ioh. 14.6. And to Pilate, I am come into this world that I might beare witnesse to the truth. Ioh. 18.31.

The same is proved by the continuall practise of Satan, e∣uen from the beginning of the world to the end, sowing lies and heresies, either against the Deitie of Christ, or against his humanitie, or against his office. And raising vp most cruell persecution against that truth of Christ.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Math. 12.31. 1. Iohn 5.16.