An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

The fall of the reprobate we remit to gods judgement Albeit that Balaam had been endued with greater graces, then in scriptures, we read that he had, yet doth it not thereof follow, that he had received the spirit of sanctification by true faith, which is given to the elect only. for we find the power given to some to expel devils, whom Christ affirmeth, that he never knew. And therefore willeth he his disciples, not to rejoice in that that spirits were subject unto them, but that their names were written in the book of lief. But yet I wonder where ye have found that Balaam was so filled with the spirit of God, the spirit of trueth, the spirit ⟨p. 272⟩of power and the spirit of grace (as ye write) that whom) soever he blessed, was blessed, and whom he cursed, he was cursed. I find no such thing witnessed of him by y• holy Ghost. True it is that Balack gave unto him that praise and commendation that he was assured, that whom he blessed should be happy, & whom he cursed should be cursed But whether that it was the purpose of the holy Ghost to teach and assure us thereby that in very deed such graces were in him,¹ I greatly doubt. yea I doubt nothing to affirm the contrary, to wit that he nether had power spirit, nor grace of God to bless those whom God hath cursed, neither yet to curse those whom God hath blessed. for so doth he him self confess. And for that end is the history written. If ye understand that the benediction remained upon Jacob because that Balaam did so pronounce and speak, you are more blind then Balaam was. for he assigneth an nother cause, saying, how shall I curse where God hath not cursed, or how shall I detest where the Lord hath not detested. God is not as man that he should lie, nether as the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? and hath he spoken, and shall he not accomplish it? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: for he hath blessed, and I can not alter it. He seeth none iniquity in Jacob, nor seeth no transgression in Israel: the Lord his God, is with him, and the joyful shout of a king is amongest them.

The fall of the reprobate we remit to gods iudgement Albeit that Balaam had bene indued with greater graces, then in scriptures, we read that he had, yet doth it not thereof follow, that he had receaued ye spirit of sanctification by true faith, which is giuen to ye elect onely. for we fynd the power giuen to some to expell deuilles, whom Christ affirmeth, that he neuer knew. And therefor willeth he his disciples, not to reioyse in that that spirites were subiect vnto them, but that their names were written in the booke of lief. But yet I wonder where ye haue found that Balaam was so filled with the spirit of God, the spirit of trueth, the spirit