An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

but his pleasure and delight was in the redemption of man, which by none other sacrifice could have been perfected. And this day, and from the beginning he hath had no pleasure in the blood which is shed, neither in the tyranny which is used against his simple, and small flock, but because he will have the members like the head he doeth a strange work, that he may do his own work, that is: he trieth and purgeth by fire our faith from all dross, and corruption of earthly affections. But in none of all these is there any contrariety, neither in God, neither in his will, neither in his counsel. for all things be disposed in such order, such consent and so conveniently, that his glory, and the perpetual comfort of his elect, doth finally, and assuredly follow. And even so it is in the apparent contrariety between you, and us, God, no doubt, will the one of us to affirm lies, to rail to blaspheme, and most unjustly to accuse the other: he will ⟨p. 357⟩the other to sustain the cause of the trueth patiently, to bear opprobrious words, and slanderous reports, referring judgement unto him, who righteously, and in equity shall judge. Is there therefore any contrariety in gods will? none at all. For the divers respects, and ends being considered, the same consent shall now be found in this apparent contrariety, which hath remained from the increase of gods Church. For in all ages hath God willed his true Prophets with all boldness, and constancy, to sustain the cause of his simple verity, how odious that ever it was unto the world. And in their contrary, he hath raised false prophets to whom he hath given the efficacy of errors (for contrary purposes I grant) to wit that his people may be tried, his faithful servants exercised, and humbled, and finally that such as delight not in verity, may be given over to believe lies. Go to now and prove contrarieties.

but his pleasure ād delite was in the redēption of man, which by none other sacrifice could haue bene perfited. And this day, and from the beginning he hath had no pleasure in the blood which is shed, neither in the tyrānie which is vsed against his simple, and smal flock, but because he wil haue the members like ye head he doeth a strāge worke, that he may do his owne worke, that is: he trieth ād purgeth by fyre our faith frō all drosse, and corruption of earthlie affections. But in none of all these is there any contrarietie, neither in God, neither in his will, neither in his counsell. for all thinges be disposed in such ordre, such consent and so conueniently, that his glorie, and the perpetual cōfort of his electe, doth finally, and assuredly folowe. And euē so it is in the apperant contrarietie betwene you, and vs, God, no doubt, will the one of vs to affirme lies, to raile to blaspheme, ād most vniustly to accuse ye other: he will