A04920:262
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.
And such be the libertines, who as before is said, do not only join the devil, in society with God, but also, do transform him in to God: judging his works worthy of praise, under this colour, that he doeth nothing, but that which is appointed by God: But contrary ways we ought to observe, that the creatures do wo•k their own works in this earth: which works according as they were directed to this or that end, so are they to be judged either good or evil: and yet God governeth and doeth moderate all things, and guideth them also to a right end. He turneth the evil into good: or at least God working by the goodness of his nature, draweth as it were by violence some good, forth of that which in the self is evil. So doeth he use the devil that he doeth not mix him self with him, neither to be in fellowship with him, neither yet with his wicked fact, neither that his justice shall put away the nature of the devil. for as the son sending forth his beams,1 and heat to the carrion, and so engendereth in it some corruption, draweth to it self neither corruption neither yet any filthiness: neither yet doeth the son by his purity and brightness, so purge the carrion, but that it remaineth stinking and corrupt: so doeth God so work by the wicked, that the justice, which is in him doeth not justify them, neither yet is he defiled by their wickedness and corruption. The third kind of gods operation consisteth in the governance of the faithful, in whom he liveth §3and reigneth by his spirit. In so far as we are corrupt by original sin, we be like to the dry and barren ground, which produceth no good fruit. for our judgement is corrupt, our will rebellious, ever ready to evil: and finally our hole nature is nothing else but a lump of sin. And therefore not only can we not apply our selves to any good action, but we are not able,2 nor sufficient to conceive one good thought (as Paul doeth witness) but if we be able to an• thing of necessity that must proceed from God. It is he therefore that worketh in us both to will and to perform: he doeth illuminate us, and lead us to the knowledge of him self, he draweth us to him self, and by softening ⟨p. 162⟩