A04920:359
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.
If I should demand of thee which of the two did most mortify the flesh, he that for conscience sake leaveth country friends, riches and honours, or he that to gape for worldly promotions,1 or yet for any other purpose doeth cover him self with Esau's clothes (I use your own terms) and so denying what he is, will swear, if need be, that he is not Jacob, which of these two Isay, doest thou think to have come nearest to the forsaking of him self? Or yet another, whither doth he walk most sincerely in his vocation, that living upon his just labours is ready to communicate, according to his ability to the necessity of his poor brethren? or he who loitering in one place or trotting ⟨p. 196⟩from country to country would have all things in common contrary to the order of nature and policy? or yet the third, which of the two, doeth most crucify the lusts and concupiscences of the flesh, he that layeth down his neck even under the axe of a cruel and unjust Magistrate, and that also when he suffereth unrighteously: or he that would abolish and destroy the good ordinance of God, all lawful Magistrates and distinction in policies. That you be the one, and we be the other of these two sorts of men it is evident enough. And upon whom the crime cleaveth and justly may be laid, further examination shall declare. Now come I to the order of that City, in the which this doctrine is taught, received, and maintained. What maketh the poor city of Geneva, poor I say, in mans eyes, but rich before God, by the plentiful abundance of his heavenly graces, what maketh it, I say, so odious to the carnal men of this world? assuredly not this doctrine, where with ye charge us. for that could well please the carnal man,2 to let him live at his pleasure, without all punishment. Is it not the just rigour of justice, and the severity of discipline executed therein, in such sort, that no manifest offender, where so ever he hath committed his offence, doeth there escape punishment? Is not this it, that so doeth offend, not only the licentious of the world? but even you dissembling hypocrites, can not abide, that the sword of Gods vengeance shall strike the murderer, the blasphemer, and such others, as God by his word commandeth to die. not so by your judgements, he must live, he may repent.