A04920:320
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.
Besides the foolish rudeness of this example, I wonder at your madness, that you can never make difference betwixt God and earthly creatures. Dare you say, that God hath no greater power, nor foreknowledge in directing and appointing his creatures to their ends, then the mother hath to direct, force, and appoint the end of her child? after that she hath born him, she knoweth not what shall be his natural inclination: although she instruct and correct him, yet can she not bow and expel his crooked nature: when he is absent from her presence, she seeth not his conversation. If he be deprehended in theft or murder: and so cast to be hanged, she can not (although she would) deliver him from the hands of the judge. But is there any of these imperfections in God? Consider yet, and let reason at length put silence unto your foolishness.
Besides the foolishe rudenes of this exemple, I wonder at your madnes, that you can neuer make difference betwext God and earthly creatures. Dare you say, that God hath no greater power, nor foreknowledge in directing and appointing his creatures to their endes, then the mother hath to direct, forse, and appoint the end of her child? after that she hath born him, she knoweth not what shalbe his naturall inclination: althogh she instruct and correct him, yet can she not bow ād expell his crooked nature: when he is absent from her presence, she seeth not his conuersation. If he be deprehended in theft or murther: and so cast to be hanged, she can not (althogh she wold) delyuer him from the handes of the iudge. But is there any of these imperfections in God? Consider yet, and let reason at length put silence vnto your foolishenes.
Where of the words of Moses, of Hoseas, Jeremiah, and Paul,1 and of the fact of Jeroboam, ye go about to prove, that phrase in that sense, which ye adduce, to be common in scriptures. I, am in doubt whether that first I shall lament your blind ignorance, or abhor & detest your abominable lies, & horrible profanation of gods most holy word.
Where of the wordes of Moises, of Hoseas, Ieremie, and Paul,