A04920:158
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.
That ye place us with the hole band of the Stoics who with their destiny play fast or loose and that of necessity which as you say passeth the conning of all jugglers. Although we do not greatly fear the force of your sentence, yet must we appeal to a more righteous and indifferent judge, that is to the Lord Jesus: to whom all judgement is given. and in the mean time we further must require such as be indifferent in this matter to judge betwixt you and us, whether that we or ye be those that play fast or loose in ⟨p. 104⟩that which ye scoffingly call destiny and stoical necessity, and we call gods eternal election and purpose immutable. We affirm that gods election in Christ Jesus is so certain and his eternal purpose to save his church is so constant,1 that against the faith of gods elect shall not the Ports and gates of hell prevail in the end: that neither can lief nor death, things present nor to come separate and dissever us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. That this foundation is stable the Lord knoweth his own:2 and therefore shall every one that incalleth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. for we are not called to uncleanness but unto sanctification and holiness by the power of that Spirit who raised from death Jesus the great Pastor of our souls, which holy spirit freely by faith (which also is the gift of God) doeth so rule and reign in our hearts, that albeit the flesh lusteth against the spirit yet are we assured of victory by the only power of him, who hath overcome the world. This is our doctrine, faith and profession. But you affirm as after plainly ye write, that none is so elected in Christ to lief everlasting, but that he may fall, become a reprobate and finally be condemned, and contrary ways, that none is so reprobate in gods eternal purpose, but that he may become elect and so be saved. That in God there is neither election nor reprobation but according to mans disposition: so that when men have good motions, and be godly disposed God doeth elect them, and write their names in the book of lief, but when they change and turn to iniquity he doeth reprobate them and blotteth out their names out of the book of lief. Let now all creatures judge betwixt us and you whether of the two play fast and loose and surmount jugglers in cunning.3