A04920:426
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.
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 by the words which immediately proceed and go before, he that exerciseth justice (sayeth he) is just even as he is just: he that committeth sin is of the devil. for from the beginning the devil sinneth. Here is the exercise of justice put in contrariety to the committing of sin. An exercise we know requireth a continual study and practise. I think ye will not say, that one just work maketh a man just, and so ⟨p. 226⟩consequently the son of God, except he proceed from justice to justice. The same say we must be understand of the committing of sin: for nether Adam,3 nor David did any longer commit their former sins, then by grace they began to repent. And so did they not remain unclean persons, nor in bondage of the devil. Neither yet can it be proved, that ever they were members of the devil, nor of his kingdom, albeit willingly they made them selves slaves to him: whom Christ Jesus notwithstanding did vindicate to him self,4 and deliver from that thraldom. Because of the free gift of God his father, they did appertain to his kingdom: nether ever be you able to prove by any of these sentences, that ever they were out of the election, as before is declared.
We do no les affirme both in worde and writing thē here you do affirme, to wit: That he who committeh sinne, is of the deuil. but herein I suppose standeth the difference, that you and we vnderstand not that phrase alike. we vnderstand that the man cōmitteh sinne,