A04920:218
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 these words Jacob have I loved, but Esau have §2I hated are not written in Genesis, neither yet are spoken of God unto Rebecca none of us denieth: but that which ye thereof infer, to wit that therefore they are not to be referred to that sentence, which Paul allegeth, before the children were borne, and ere they did either good or bad, proceedeth either of your blind ignorance, or else of your malicious despite, which against the free grace of God, ye have conceived, for establishing of your own justice.
That these wordes Iacob haue I loued, but Esau haue §2I hated are not written in Genesis, neither yet are spokē of God vnto Rebecca none of vs denieth: but that which ye thereof inferre, to witt that therefor they are not to be referred to that sentence, which Paul alledgeth, before the childrē were borne, and yer they did either good or badd, procedeth either of your blind ignorāce, orels of your malicious despite, which agai•st the fre grace of God, ye haue conceaued, for establishing of your own iustice.
True it is, these words were spoken by Malachi the Prophet, after the reduction of the people from the captivity of Babylon. But when we have a little considered the scope and purpose of the Prophet, then shall we first consider whether he did understand the love of God, and his hatred, to appertain to the two peoples only, and not also to the two original heads. And after we shall see whether the mind and plain words of Paul will suffer and bear your interpretation or not.
Trew it is, these wordes were spoken by Malachie the Prophete, after the reduction of the people frome the captiuitie of Babylon. But when we haue a litle considered the scope and purpose of the Prophete, then shall we first consider whether he did vnsterstand the loue of God, and his hatered, to appertein to the two peoples onely, and not also to the two original heades. And after we shall see whether the mynd and plaine wordes of Paul will suffer and bear your interpretation or not.