A04920:156
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 and if it be evident that a great number do rather repine against the trueth, nor repent their iniquity, which it reproveth, and that more do either seem to have no thirst to righteousness, or else do drink of the stinking puddles of mans doctrine, then that they will receive those wholesome waters of lief which Christ Jesus giveth to his Church, then have you proved no part of your purpose.1 And wonder it is that in the words of the Prophet and in the words of our master Christ Jesus also, ye see not a plain difference made. for the Prophet calleth not all indifferently to drink of these waters, but such as do thirst. And Christ restraineth his generality to such as did travel and were burdened with sin: such I say he confesseth him self to call to repentance. But to such as were just and hole, he affirmeth that he was not sent. And so yet once again I affirm that the scriptures of God make ⟨p. 103⟩but mention of one Election to lief everlasting. I am not ignorant that Saul was elected to be king over Israel and Judas also to the office of an Apostle: but whether thereof, you be able to convince that they were both elected to the lief everlasting in Christ Jesus, before that they did offend (for so you affirm) I remit you to your proof. I fear not to prove that by the verity him self, Judas is called the devil, long before that the holy Ghost maketh any mention,2 that it entered in to his heart to betray his master.
But and if it be euident that a great nombre do rather repyne against the trueth, nor repent their iniquitie, which it reproueth, and that mo do either seme to haue no thirst to righteousnes, orels do drink of the stinking pudles of mannes doctryne, then that they will receaue those holsome waters of lief wc Christe Iesus giueth to his Churche, then haue you proued no part of your purpose.1 And wōder it is yt in ye wordes of ye Prophet ād in ye wordes of our master Christ Iesus also, ye se not a plaine differēce made. for ye Prophete calleth not al indifferently to drink of these waters, but such as do thirst. And Christ restreineth his generalitie to such as did trauale and were burdened wt sinne: such I say he confesseth him self to call to repentance. But to such as were iust and hole, he affirmeth that he was not sent. And so yet once agane I affirme that the scriptures of God make