A04920:461
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.
The place of Peter doth manifestly fight against you: for how soever the dog hath vomited the corruption of his stinking stomach: and how so ever the sow hath appeared to have been cleansed: yet nether of both change their own nature. But the dog remaineth the dog, and therefore can do none other thing, but to return to his vomit, and the sow remaining the sow, must needs return to wallow in the mire. But (say you) Peter affirmeth, that they were verily escaped. I answer, as touching the trueth and nature of the doctrine which they ⟨p. 245⟩professed, so they were▪ for it was the very true knowledge of God, which was offered unto them, and which apparently they had received. In which if they had continued, they should verily have been free from all bondage, according to Christs promise. But because they were none of his chosen sheep, nor peculiar flock, they did decline from the holy commandment, and so were their last worse then their first. because that the servant knowing the will of the master and not doing the same is worthy many stripes. All this I know doth please you, except, that I affirm that they were never of Christs chosen number, no not even when they professed most boldly, when they lived most strictly, and when most they appeared to have been purged. I will not bind you to believe mine affirmation, except that I bring the witnessing of the holy Ghost,1 S. John sayeth, they have passed out from us (he speaketh of antichrists) but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, of a trueth they should have remained with us &c. These words need no commentary: for sayeth he, they have passed out from us. And why? because they were not of us, no not even when they professed most earnestly &c: Shut up your own eyes as ye li•t, this light shall ye never be able to obscure, much less to extinguish.2 The place of S. James, and of the Apostle Paul to Timothy. 2. Timoth. 2. do teach not only the ministers of the word, but also every faithful man, how carefully one should procure the salvation of an other. And to make all men more diligent, in doing their duty, he declareth in what extreme danger stand such, as do err from the trueth, or that remain in bondage of Satan, as also, what acceptable service unto God, do such, as by whom God calleth others from the way of damnation.