A04920:645
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.
ANSWER.
What soever shall be read in the hole scriptures,1 you shall never be able to prove that in these words of Isaiah, (Go, and harden the hearts of this people) is nothing else meant, but that the Prophet was only commanded to declare unto them their blindness, and hardness of heart. for where soever mention is made of the difference betwixt the elect, and the reprobate, this virtue is attributed to the word, that it doth illuminate the eyes, and mollify the hearts of the one, by the power of the holy Ghost: and by the contrary that it doth excecate, and more harden the other by reason of their corrupt nature, to the which they are justly left. The Evangelist saint John making mention, that the Jews did not believe in Christ Jesus, albeit that they had seen his wondrous works, addeth this cause: therefore (saith he) they could not believe,2 because Isaiah had said: He hath blinded their eyes, & hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand in their hearts, and be converted, that I may heal them. Here doth the Evangelist attribute to the Prophet, not only that he declared their blindness, but that God by him did in very deed justly blind their eyes, and harden their hearts. But this shall more plainly appear in examining the reasons, and scriptures which ye allege for proof of your interpretation.
What soeuer shalbe redde in the hole scriptures,1 you shall neuer be able to proue that in these wordes of Isaie, (Go, and harden the heartes of this people) is nothing els meant, but that the Prophete was onely commanded to declare vnto them their blindnes, and hardnes of heart. for wher soeuer mention is made of the difference betwext the elect, and the reprobate, this vertue is attributed to the word, that it doth illuminate the eyes, and mollifie the heartes of the one, by the power of the holy Gost: and by the contrarie that it doth excecate, and more harden the other by reason of their corrupt nature, to the which they are iustly left. The Euangelist saint Iohn making mention, that the Iewes did not beleue in Christ Iesus, albeit that they had sene his wonderous workes, addeth this cause: therefore (saith he) they could not beleue,