A04920:457
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.
Where boldly ye affirm us to be of a perverse and reprobate mind,1 if we deny them to be elect, who have received from God such graces, as man in this life can receive no greater. It may seem that because ye delight to speak what ye please, ye take liberty to lay to our charge what soever seemeth good to you.
Where boldly ye affirme vs to be of a peruers and reprobat mynd,1 if we deny them to be elect, who haue receaued from God such graces, as man in this life can receaue no greater. It may seme that because ye delyte to speak what ye please, ye take libertie to lay to our charge what soeuer semeth good to you.
- 1To the 7 8. 9. & 10.
I trust ye be never able to prove that any of us, hath affirmed that he who had received of the free gift of God ⟨p. 242⟩a true unfeigned and lively faith, is not the elect of God, and that faith we know do gods children, which cum to age and discretion receive in this life, as Peter did: against the which, did Christ pronounce, that the gates and ports of hell should not prevail. But it appeareth to me that your doubt, is ether to wit, whether God bestoweth his great and rich talents upon the reprobate. for if so he should do, ye affirm that he bestoweth them in vain, meaning, to receive no fruit of them. That God bestoweth great talents upon the very reprobate, the scriptures manifestly do witness, to speak nothing of lief, reason, corporal health, richesse, and honours, which the reprobate in greatest abundance do possess, doth not Christ witness; that many shall cry, Lord in thy name we have prophesied, we have cast out devils, and in thy name have we done many wondrous works? And yet shall Christ answer I never knew you. Doth not Paul affirm that albeit he knew all mysteries, had all prophecy, and knowledge, and all faith (such he meaneth, as by the which miracles are wrought) yet without he had charity he were nothing? But yet I pray you, do prophecy, knowledge, the gift of tongues and of miracles cease to be the good and rich talents of God? ye cry yet are they bestowed without hope of fruit to be received, & in vain, if they be bestowed upon the reprobate. That of you is boldly and most blasphemously affirmed. for God knoweth the fruit which his Church shall receive, not only of those spiritual talents how wicked that ever they be (to whose dispensation, they are committed) but also of the corporal and temporal benefit, yea of very tyranny, doth his wisdom and goodness cause a fruit and commodity come, and spring out to his Church. By the tyranny of Nebuchadnezzar, he punished the proud contemners, and tried, and partly purged his children, who before were slothful, and negligent. by that great conquest and victory, which he gave to Cyrus, he procured the deliverance