An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

It may be greatly suspected what some men now a days do mean to ascribe that to y• holy Ghost which the authors them selves did only ascribe to their own diligence and travel, and were also compelled to ask pardon of the readers that they could not attain, no not even to the propriety of the tongue in the which they did write.¹ Useth the holy Ghost I pray you whose power looseth the tongues of the dumb, in that manner to be suppliant unto men, and for his imperfection to beg pardon at their hands? Consider, and impute nothing upon the holy Ghost, which becometh not the Majesty of God. but lest that ye should complain that yet your scriptures are not resolved, I will give you a general answer to all, which is this. That neither the book of wisdom, neither yet Ecclesiasticus, neither yet Esdras in these places that be alleged do entreat any thing of election, or reprobation, but the writers in all those places which ye allege do study to amend the corrupt manners of their ages, and to impose silence to the wicked tongues of many. of whom some accused God as author of sin which entered in by malice of the devil, who did corrupt the good creature of God created to his own image to rule in equity and justice. who doeth not see but that this writer, who so ever he was, retaineth him self, within the reach of mans understanding, labouring to convict their conscience which maliciously imputed unto God, that which he did not work in them? But that they of their own free will did follow and obey iniquity, and that therefore they should suffer their just condemnation. And that this my interpretation of their minds is true, let their own words witness for thus it is written.

It may be greatlie suspected what som men now a daies do meā to ascribe that to y• holie Gost which the authors them selues did onely ascribe to their own diligence and trauelle, and were also compelled to ask perdon of the readers that they could not atteine, no not euen to the proprietie of the tōgue in the which they did write.¹ Vseth the holie Gost I pray you whose power lowseth the tongues of the dombe, in that maner to be suppliāt vnto mē, and for his imperfection to begge pardon at their handes? Consider, and impute nothing vpon the holie Gost, which becometh not the Maiestie of God. but lest that ye should complain that yet your scriptures are not resolued, I will giue you a generall answer to all, which is this. That neither the booke of wisdom, neither yet Ecclesiasticus, neither yet Esdras in these places that be alledged do intreat any thing of election, or reprobation, but the writers in all those places which ye alledge do studie to amend the corrupt maners of their aeges, and to impose silēce to the wicked tongues of many. of whom som accused God as author of sinne which entred in by malice of the deuill, who did corrupt the good creature of God created to his own image to reule in equitie and iustice. who doeth not se but that this writer, who so euer he was, reteineth him self, within the reache of mannes vnderstanding, laboring to conuict their cōscience which maliciously imputed vnto God, that which he did not worke in them? But that they of their own fre will did follow ād obey iniquitie, and that therefor they should suffer their iust condemnation. And that this my interpretation of their myndes is true, let their own wordes witnes for thus it is writē.