A04920:49
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.
And in his battle he apprehendeth this hold: God hath begun to show mercy unto me which in many things I have felt, and I still depend and hang upon the same, therefore my God may not despise the works of his hands. And so far proceedeth he in ⟨p. 35⟩this disputation, till that he maketh this conclusion (which God after did approve.) I know (sayeth Job) that my revenger liveth, whom I shall see, yea my n•cis shall see him, and none other. Upon what ground I say did this faith of Job stand? No doubt upon this, that gods counsel is stable, and that his love is immutable towards such as once he had taken in to his safeguard. And if ye doubt that this is rather our collection then the plain sentence of the holy Ghost, confer our proposition with the former words of Isaiah, and let it be judged by them. And if that yet ye cry that we have brought forth no plain scripture affirming that the counsel of God is immutable, then hear what the same Prophet sayeth. It is I (sayeth he (that from the beginning show the things that be last and from the beginning those things that be not done. It is I that do speak and my counsel is stable.1 and what so ever I will, that I do. Consider and behold that the Prophet affirmeth the counsel of God to be stable, yea to be so immutable, that neither could the tyranny of the enemies neither yet the former sins of the people, neither yet their present unthankfulness stop God from showing his mercy. Because that his infinite goodness found away even in the midest of death to manifest his own glory. Such as by malice be not altogether blinded, having any exercise in the scriptures of God, may easily perceive, that I have wrested no part of the Prophets mind. For continually one thing doth he beat in their ears, to wit, that God will show mercy, will deliver, and will be Saviour unto them for his Names sake for his promise made to Abraham, and for the glory of him self. But now shortly let us hear two or three places of the new testament spoken to the same purpose, and so let us put end to this part. Our master Christ Jesus plainly affirmeth, that all which the father gave him, should come unto him, pronouncing that who soever cometh he •old not cast him forth,2 but will raise him up and give ⟨p. 36⟩