A04920:454
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.
First ye prove, that those which be elected, be sanctified by the spirit,1 and through believing of the trueth which we confess to be most true. Thereafter ye allege that such, as be sanctified, may after dishonour the spirit of grace tread down the blood of the testament, & so draw to damnation. I answer, the cause of your error is, that ye make no difference betwixt the sanctification, and lively faith, which is proper only to the sons of God, which once begun, is perpetual, and that sanctification, and faith, which is common to the reprobate, and therefore it is but temporal.
First ye proue, that those which be elected, be sanctified by the spirit,1 and through beleuing of the trueth which we confesse to be most true. Thereafter ye alledge that such, as be sanctified, may after dishonor the spirit of grace tredde doune the blood of the testament, & so drawe to damnation. I answer, the cause of your error is, that ye make no difference betwext the sanctification, and liuely faith, which is proper onelie to the sonnes of God, which once begonne, is perpetuall, and that sanctification, and faith, which is common to the reprobate, and therefore it is but temporall.
- 12. The 2 He•r. 10.
If this distinction displeaseth you, quarrel with the holy Ghost, and not with us: for of his plain works, & words evident, have we received it. for all Israel were sanctified to be the kingly priesthood, all were circumcised, yea & did drink of that spiritual drink: and yet were they not all inwardly sanctified unto salvation & life everlasting. The hole tribe of Levy were sanctified to y• service of the Lord, in his tabernacle, but how many of them did still remain profane persons, y• scripture concealeth not. Even so all that great multitude, whom Christ fed in the wilderness, yea all those that adhered for a time to his doctrine, were after some manner sanctified, that is separated, & divided from the rest of the