An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

As the Sun is not to be blamed,¹ albeit the carrion by the heat thereof, be more and more corrupted: so is not our doctrine, although that carnal men, thereof take carnal liberty. for that ye know did ensue the doctrine of S. Paul.

As the Sunne is not to be blamed,¹ albeit the carion by the heate thereof, be more and more corrupted: so is not our doctrine, althogh that carnall men, thereof take carnal libertie. for that ye knowe did ensue the doctrine of S. Paule.

1. 1To the 4 Th• sun is not blamed because the carrion stinkethTo the 4 Th• sunne is not blamed becaus the carion stinketh

We do no less affirm both in word and writing than here you do affirm, to wit: That he who committeth sin, is of the devil. but herein I suppose standeth the difference, that you and we understand not that phrase alike. we understand that the man committeth sin,¹ whose hole study, mind, and purpose from time, to time, is bent upon iniquity: and such do we affirm to be of the devil, who sinneth from the beginning. If you understand, that every action committed against the law of God, maketh a man the son of the devil, we must liberally speak that so we do not understand the mind of the Apostle. for plain it is that he meaneth not of actions particular, be they never so grievous, whereof a man after repenteth, and from the same desisteth: but of a continual exercise, delight, and study, which man hath in sin. And this is plain I say,²