A04920:357
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.
We do not deny but this is one part of our doctrine, that as Gods counsel is immutable, so is his election sure and stable, insomuch that the elect can not finally be reprobated, nether yet that the reprobate can ever become elect no more then the wheat can become darnel or darnel become wheat, but do we add no more then this?1 do we teach men to set cock on hoop, and so to let the world slide as scoffingly ye write? or do we not rather continually affirm, that as God of his great mercy, hath called us to the dignity of his children, so hath he sanctified us, and appointed us, to walk in pureness and holiness all the days of our life, that we shall continually fight against the lusts and inordinate affections, that remain in this our corrupt nature, that if we find not the spirit of Christ working in us that then we can never be assured of our election? for the conscience of all such as with out bridle follow iniquity, can never be assured of Gods present favour during the time that they delight in sin, finally none of your anabaptistical sort, require greater obedience to be given unto God, and unto his law, then we do, except that ye put your scholars in vain esperance, that by the power of their own free will, they may at length come to such perfection as no sin shall stir in them. But we by the contrary attributing all to the free grace of ⟨p. 195⟩God do affirm that continually in this life, we must confess, that sin so remaineth in us, that except that God, for Christ Jesus sake did pardon the same, his wrath justly should be kindled against us. Let all our writings and the hole some of our doctrine bear record whether thus we teach or not. And are not the lives and honest conversation of many thousands (we praise God of his great mercy) professing the same doctrine,2 able to convince your malicious impudency. how many have left their countries possessions and lands, and for liberty of their conscience only, do live a sober and contemptible lief? how many have given, & daily do give their lives, & blood, for the testimony of Christs trueth, and for that they will not defile them selves with idolatry?
We do not denie but this is one part of our doctrine, that as Gods counsel is immutable, so is his election sure and stable, insomuche that the elect can not finally be reprobated, nether yet that the reprobat can euer become elect nomore then the wheat can become darnell or darnel become wheat, but do we adde no more then this?