A04920:677
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.
The words of the Evangelist are plainly wrested. For he affirmeth not, that every man is illuminated to salvation, nether yet that Christ is offered (as ye would shift) to every man. But speaking of the excellency of Christ Jesus, in whom was life, and by whom all things were created, he saith: this was the true light, which doth illuminate all men, that come into this world. In which words he speaketh nothing of mans redemption nether yet of any light, which man receiveth necessary for the same: But only of that light which was given to man in his creation, a part whereof (how small so ever it be) doth yet remain in man▪ and that not by his own power, but by the free gift of God, in whom we live, are moved, and have our being. And that the Evange list speaketh nothing of the light of our redemption, is evident by his own words. For, before, and after he doth witness, that the light did shine in darkness, but darkness did not apprehend it, that is receive, & acknowledge it: That he came amongest his own, but his own did not receive him, that such as did receive him were nether borne of blood, of the will of the flesh, nether yet of the will of man, but of God. By which words it is manifest, that the Evangelist most evidently declareth, that the light of salvation is not common unto all, but that it is proper to those only, that are borne of God. He doth further teach, that all reason, and natural understanding ⟨p. 388⟩which man hath by his first birth, is so choked, so blinded, and extinguished, that man must needs be borne again, before he can see the kingdom of God, that Christ Jesus must needs illuminate those, that be borne blind, or else (without remedy) they shall perish in their blindness. And thus I say the one text your master doth falsely, and the other most violently wrest. But now to your words. God is slow, (say you) to wrath, and ready to forgive. He will be entreated of all,1 so that he biddeth all men every where to repent, and offereth faith unto all men. 2I will not question with you at this time, why in this description of your true God, ye make no mention of the Son, which is the eternal word, and wisdom, of the eternal father, nether of the holy Ghost, who proceeding from the father, is equal with the eternal Sonne.