An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

but God suddenly repressed that fury, so assisting with out the arm of man his servant and lieutenant for that time appointed, in that city, that first he recovered the ensign of his just and lawful office again, & there after so put to flight, that rebellious and great multitude, that some being apprehended and committed to prison, the rest were dispersed by the only power of God. for that is a thing ⟨p. 199⟩evident and plain, that the number of the one, did in twenty degrees, surmount the other. This do I write, to let the simple reader understand, although thou be blinded, what was the original of the trouble, which Geneva did after suffer. What did the strangers, I pray the gain by their liberty? as touching the world, I say nothing, for no kind of commodity they lacked before which after they did obtain, only this excepted, that in counsel, they should have voices▪ and place to speak, which thing also did only offend those oppressors of justice and maintainers of iniquity. for thereby did they perceive, that their enterprises should be broken, and that statutes should be made, to reform their insolencie. To proceed justice being executed without respect of person, upon those that were apprehended the rest who did escape to great number, were pronounced rebels. Then began skirmishes upon every side of Geneva, victuals were commanded to be cut of, great threatenings were blown in the ears of all the godly, and when these could not prevail. then were devised practise after practise, treason was conspired, and the enemies hoped for possession of the city. But this being revealed and the practisers punished, •atha• returneth to his own nature again. for after that no entreatment could prevail, open ware was denounced against. them, a day was set that they should be restored, and that with great sums of money to be delivered unto them, by reason of their former losses & injuries sustained. and this sentence was pronounced not, by the rebels only, but by a potent common wealth, and their ancient friends.

but God sodanly repressed that furie, so assisting with out the arme of mā his seruant and lieutenant for that time appointed, in that citie, that first he recouered the ensigne of his iust and lawfull office againe, & there after so put to flight, that rebillious and great multitude, that some being apprehended and cōmitted to prison, the rest were dispersed by the onely power of God. for that is a thing