A04920:630
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.
Who then sent Nebuchadnezzar, to destroy not only the Jews, but also the Moabites, and other nations? Who pronounced this sentence: Cursed be he that doeth the Lords work negligently, and he that withdraweth his sword from blood?1 Who did create the smiths, with their hammers to break down the horns which had dispersed Israel? And finally, who gave his own son to the cruel death? Who hath subjected the dear spouse of Christ Jesus to afflictions, and temporal calamities? Dare you deny, but that it was and is, the eternal God, by whose good will all these things were appointed: and decreed, or were any of them, done against his almighty will? I think you will not so affirm. For the scripture witnesseth, that God gave his Son to the world, even of determined purpose, that he should dye, or else who could have compelled his Majesty thereunto, if his will had been repugnant? Peter affirmeth that blessed are we that suffer for the name of Christ, adding this comfortable sentence: By them (that is by the persecutors) is the name of God blasphemed, but by you it is glorified.2 And therefore, let such saith he, as be afflicted ⟨p. 356⟩by the will of God, lay down their souls in well doing, as in the hands of a faithful keeper.3 Paul witnesseth that those whom God hath elected in Christ Jesus, he hath also predestinate, and before appointed, to be like fashioned to the image of his own Sonne. Of which testimonies, it is plain that the grievous destruction, the abundance of the bloodshed among divers nations, the cruel death of Christ Jesus, and the most fearful afflictions of his dearly beloved Church, did proceed from gods will, in so much as he did not only suffer them, but also, for most just causes, respects, and ends, which often before I have recited, he did will and appoint them: and yet in God was there no contrariety. For in the destruction of Jerusalem, and of others, he had not respect simply to the ruin, and vastatiō of those places, but to his just judgements, which were provoked to take vengeance upon the multitude of their sins, which long he had suffered. When our Master Christ Jesus did suffer, he had no delight in the cruelty of those enraged dogs, who did crucify him, which as he hated, so after he did most severely punish: