A04920:115
An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations
An answer to a great number of blasphemous cavillations written by an Anabaptist, and adversary to Gods eternal predestination. And confuted by John Knox, minister of Gods word in Scotland. Wherein the author so discovereth the craft and falsehood of that sect, that the godly knowing that error, may be confirmed in the trueth by the evident Word of GodAn answer to a great nomber of blasphemous cauillations written by an Anabaptist, and aduersarie to Gods eternal predestination. And confuted by Iohn Knox, minister of Gods worde in Scotland. Wherein the author so discouereth the craft and falshode of that sect, that the godly knowing that error, may be confirmed in the trueth by the euident Worde of God
Geneva: printed by John Crespin, 1560Geneva: printed by Iohn Crespin, 1560
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But first I must except against ⟨p. 82⟩you, as against false witness. for you allege more upon Elihu than in the book of Job1 he affirmeth. For he sayeth not that God careth for all a like. But sayeth that his eyes are upon the ways of man, and that he doeth see all his goings. And that neither you, neither any other shall have occasion to complain of me, that unjustly I accuse you, of falsifying the plain text, I will recite both the purpose and the words: Job in vehemency of disputation against his three friends, who constantly did affirm that God provoked, by his sins, had poured forth those sudden and strange plagues upon him: Job I say in refelling this their accusation, and in confuting their reasons, did enter into the secretes of gods inscrutable judgements further than it became any creature to do: and did seem to burden God with injustice in defending his own innocency. At which reasons Elihu offended after that the other three were put to silence taking upon him to reprove Job affirmeth that the wisdom, the power, the justice and the judgements of God were incomprehensible, that God could do nothing unjustly how that ever it appeared to mans judgement, and amongest other things he sayeth: wilt thou say unto a king,2 thou art wicked, or unto princes, ye are ungodly. How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of Princes and regardeth not the rich more then the poor? For they be all the work of his hands? They shall dye suddenly, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass forth and take away the mighty without hand, for his eyes are upon the ways of man and he seeth all his goings. Thus have I noted partly that none shall think that these words may seem to favour your error, and partly that your untruth in wresting such places may more manifestly appear. Ignorance of the tongues may be some cause in you, but in some of you I can manifestly prove that malice blindeth knowledge, and compelleth you to speak and write against your understanding. God touch your hearts with true repentance and give you his holy spirit with greater reverence to entreat his scriptures. But now to the scriptures that ye ⟨p. 83⟩allege (God say you) hath no respect of persons.