A04920:215
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.
With what face can ye deny,1 that these words, the elder shall serve the younger, are not spoken of Jacob and Esau, seeing that the Apostle in plain words doeth affirm that they were spoken and meant of the two children, before they were born? He sayeth not before the two nations were born, but before the children were born. Your reason is because as concerning the flesh Esau did never serve Jacob, I answer neither yet did God say: the elder shall serve the younger in the flesh: but simply did pronounce: The elder shall serve the younger. But well do ye declare what is your understanding of dominion and servitude, be it in flesh, or be it in spirit.
With what face can ye denie,1 that these wordes, the elder shall serue the yonger, are not spoken of Iacob and Esau, seing that the Apostle in plaine wordes doeth affirm that they were spoken and ment of the two children, before they were born? He saieth not before the two natiōs were born, but before the childrē were born. Your reason is becaus as concerning the fleshe Esau did neuer serue Iacob, I answer neither yet did God say: the elder shall serue the yonget in the fleshe: but simply did pronounce: The elder shall serue the yonger. But well do ye declare what is your vnderstāding of dominion and seruitude, be it in fleshe, or be it in spirit.
- 1To the •.
Was it no kind of servitude I pray you yea even in the fl•she,1 that Esau was compelled to beg pottage at Jacob, and for the same to sell all title of his birthright? was it no thraldom, that with crying howling, and furious roars, he was compelled to beg the benediction, which Jacob had gotten, and yet could not obtain it? Did not his heart feel subjection when he seeth his father so constant in preferring Jacob to him, that by no means he would retreat or call back one word. We do not deny but the diversity was also established betwixt the two nations: but that the heads should be secluded, that are ye never able