An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

But yet we must consider, that of nature, we have both will, and election: but because they are both depraved, by sin, the Lord reformeth them, and of evil maketh them good. That we therefore be apt to discern, that we have a will, that we do this or that, this is a natural gift: but that we can choose, desire, or do nothing but that which is evil, that cometh of the corruption of sin: that we thirst to do good, that we have some power to execute the same, this proceedeth from the supernatural grace, by the which we are regenerate,¹ and newly born to a better and more godly life. Behold then what God worketh in his children: first putting away their perverse nature, he conducteth and guy death them by his holy spirit, in obedience of his will. But these drunken or rather furious libertines crying, that all things are wrought by God, do make him author of evil. And further even as the nature of the evil were changed, when it is cloaked under the coverture of gods name, they affirm it to be good. in the which they do greater injury, and contume lie unto God,² then that they should transfer his power and justice to an other. For seeing there is nothing more proper unto God, than is his goodness: it behoveth first y• he should utterly deny him self, before that he can work evil: which thing, these blind libertines attribute unto him. And assuredly the God of these men is an Idol, which ought to be more execrable, then all the idols of the Gentiles. And so forth to the end of that chapter he proveth that God committeth no sin in none of the wicked of the earth &c. Thus far have I recited the mind and most part of the words of that godly writer, written by him now twelve years ago, against the libertines. By the which the indifferent reader may judge whether that justly you accuse him and us, that we make God author of sin. In the name of God, and of his dear Son Christ Jesus (whose ⟨p. 163⟩glory ye study utterly to suppress) I require as before of all those that be placed in authority by his word,³ whose hands he hath armed with the sword of justice, that earnestly as they will answer before his fearful throne of judgement, they take trial in this matter, that if we be found either in life, either yet in doctrine, as we be accused, that God may be glorified in our just punishments: