A04920:154
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.
ANSWER.
Before the enter to confute our arguments as ye boldly promise,1 ye affirm that election is taken in the scriptures three manner of ways. That is (as you say) Generally, specially, and most especially of all, which division with the probation of the same is so foolish, so false, and so far from the purpose, that onles ye should have occasion to calumniate, that so much of your book I passed over with out answer, I would not spend the moment of an hour in answering the same.2 For how little do the words of Paul serve for your general election in the confirmation of your eight reason▪ and after also, I have declared. And I leave to be proved of your part by the evident testimony of any scripture, that God so oft electeth to lief everlasting as he commandeth man to refuse him self or else as he giveth his further grace to such as he hath called to the knowledge of him self, and of his only beloved Son Christ Jesus. That there is a general vocation by the which the world by some manner of means is called to the knowledge ⟨p. 102⟩of God and a vocation of purpose which apperte• neth to gods children only I find in scriptures.3 But that there is any election to lief everlasting, except that which is and was in Christ Jesus in the eternal counsel of God before the foundation of the world I am assured that neither scripture affirmeth,4 neither justly can it be gathered upon any sentence of the same. That the true light (which is Christ Jesus) illuminated all men coming in to this world we confess:5