An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

Show if ye can in any of our writings that we affirm that where so ever there is election there is also reprobation of the same sort. Show that clause I say of the same sort and I will confess that ye have red more then I have done, of that matter, which nevertheless I hardly can believe. But to the end that the simple reader may understand how we do reason of election and reprobation by the contrary effects I will adduce not our reasons lately invented, but twenty years ago committed unto writing by that notable instrument of God John Calvin,¹ who thus speaketh, wonder it is sayeth he that Chrysostom did not call to mind that it is the election of God which maketh difference betwixt men. We fear not to grant that which S. Paul in great constancy doeth affirm. To wit that all together are wicked and given to malice, but with him we add. That by the mercy of God it cometh to pass tha• we abide not in wickedness. Therefore seeing that naturally we all labour with a like sickness. These only receive health and amend to whom it hath pleased the Lord to put to his curing hand, others whom by his just judgement he passeth by, do languish in their corruption, till they be consumed. Neither yet from any where else doeth it come that some continue to the end, and others fall in to the curse which was begun. for because that perseverance it self is the gift of God, which is not commonly given to all: but he freely giveth it to whom it pleaseth him. If the cause of the difference be sought, why some constantly continue, and why others fall away by instability, none other cause may be assigned, but that the eternal God sustaineth and strengtheneth the one sort, by his own power, that they perish not, and unto the others he giveth not the strength, that they may be documents, and witness of mans inconstancy &c. Thus use we to reason by the diversity which we seen men that one sort are elect and others are reprobate and not as ye imagine us to do. We say that nature hath made us equal as concerning corruption, and yet we see great ⟨p. 110⟩diversity amongest men. We ask what is the cause of this. If ye answer education which some Philosophers do, that will be proven false, as before I have declared: if ye say mans free will, we proceed demanding who giveth the good will, if ye allege man him self, the scripture proveth you liars saying it is God that worketh the will and the performance.