An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

Ye accuse us that we have written books in a perpetual memory, of our cruelty, affirming it to be lawful to put to death such as dissent from us in religion. Notwith standing, that some of us were of an other mind before they came to authority▪ and further that we have given the sword in to the hands of bloody tyrants.

Ye accuse vs that we haue written bookes in a perpetuall memorie, of our crueltie, affirming it to be lawful to put to death such as dissent from vs in religion. Notwith standing, that some of vs were of an other mynd before they came to auctoritie▪ and further that we haue giuen the sworde in to the hādes of bloodie tyrannes.

True it is that books are written, both by you & by us. for your master Bellius affirmeth, that lawful it is not, to the civil magistrate, to use the sword against heretics. To whom that godly learned man Theodorus Beza hath answered. In which if you or your master think not your selves fully answered, ye may put pen to the paper, when you list, looking to receive answer with convenient expedition. John Calvin hath besides committed to writing, the examination of Seruetus, and the cause of his miserable death, which books albeit to you, they be a perpetual memory of cruelty, yet I have good hope, that to our posterity, they shall be profitable (as now to us, be the godly labours of those, that before us have foughten the same battle against the obstinate heretics) And further seeing both you, and we, must abide the sentence of one judge, we can not greatly fear the prejudice of your faction.

Trew it is that bookes are written, bothe by you & by vs. for your master Bellius affirmeth, that lawfull it is not, to the ciuil magistrat, to vse the sworde against heretikes. To whome that godlie learned mā Theodorus Beza hath answered. In which if you or your master thinke not your selues fully answered, ye may put pen to the paper, when you list, looking to receaue answer with conuenient expidicion. Iohn Caluin hath besides committed to writing, the examination of Seruetus, and the cause of his miserable death, which bookes albeit to you, they be a perpetual memorie of crueltie, yet I haue good hope, that to our posteritie, they shalbe profitable (as now to vs, be the godlie labors of those, that before vs haue foghten the same battel against the obstinate heretikes) And further seing bothe you, and we, must abyde the sentence of one iudge, we can not greatlye feare the preiudice of your faction.