An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

But now to the matter. I have before proved you malicious, and venomous liars, & therefore unworthy to bear testimony against us. Now resteth to be proved, that ye are blasphemers of God, and persons defamed▪ Solomon affirmeth, that,¹ he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the innocent, are alike abominable before God. Which sentence is not to be understand of judges only, but is to be referred to every man: for of every one doth God require, that he hate, and in his heart and mouth condemn, that which God him self hath condemned: and also that he allow, and justify, that which God pronounceth just, lawful, and holy. And if the contrary be found even in a multitude, God doth not only punish the chief offenders, but also upon their favourers, maintainers, and justifiers, doth he commonly pour the same plagues and vengeance. And hereof is that rare,² and fearful punishment taken upon Dathan and Abiram, sufficient proof, for they joined with Corah, were the authors of the conspiracy raised against Moses and Aaron. But did they alone sustain the vengeance? No but their households, children, wives, tents, and substance in the same contained, did the ⟨p. 208⟩earth in a moment devour, and swallow up. And why? because they did justify the cause of those wicked, and in so far in as in them lay did maintain the same. No man I trust will deny, but that he who killeth an innocent man, is a murderer, although it be under the cloak of justice. But that he, who having lawful authority to kill, and yet suffereth the murderer to live, is a murderer, in this perchance some men may doubt. But if the law of God be diligently searched, this doubt shall easily be resolved. For it will witness, that no less ought the murderer, the blasphemer, and such other to suffer the death, then that the meek and the fearer of God should be defended. And also that such as maintain and defend the one, are no less criminal before God, then those that oppress the others. One example I will adduce for all, God gave in to the hands of Ahab,³ Benhadad king of Syria, who was great enemy to Israel, whom he upon certain conditions of amity sent home to his country. But what sentence was pronounced against Ahab?