A04920:13
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.
I willingly confess, that all curiosity ought to be avoided, and that with great sobriety we ought to contemplate & behold that incomprehensible mystery of our redemption. But yet I say, that the doctrine of gods eternal predestination is so necessary to the Church of God, that without the same,1 can faith neither be truly taught, nether surely established: man can never be brought to true humility, & knowledge of him self nether yet can he be ravished in admiration of gods eternal goodness, and so moved to praise him as appertaineth. And therefore we fear not to affirm that so necessary as it is that true faith be established in or hearts: that we be brought to unfeigned humility, & that we be moved to praise him for his free graces received, so necessary also is the doctrine ⟨p. 10⟩of gods eternal predestination. For first there is no way more proper to build and establish faith, than when we hear and undoubtedly do believe,2 that our election (which the Spirit of God doth seal in our hearts) consisteth not in our selves, but in the eternal and immutable good pleasure of God. And that in such firmitie that it can not be overthrown nether by the raging storms of the world, nor by the assaults of satan, nether yet by the wavering and weakness of our own flesh. Then only is our salvation in assurance, when we find the cause of the same in the bosom and counsel of God. For so do we by faith apprehend life and peace manifested in Christ Jesus,3 that by the direction and guiding of the same faith we look farther: to wit, out of what fountain, life doth proceed. In Christ Jesus now presently do we find liberty and life,4 he is made unto us of God, wisdom, & righteousness and sanctification and redemption: and in the promise of his Gospel is founded the stability of our salvation. But yet we have a joy which, far surmounteth this.5 For albeit that we should hear that the mercies & the graces of God were offered unto all men, and albeit also that we should feel that our hearts were somewhat moved to believe, yet onles the very cause of our faith be known, our joy and comfort can not be full.