A04920:679
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.
Your first proposition is utterly false,1 neither yet is there any such sentence contained in the hole scriptures.2 True it is that God is merciful gentle liberal, protector,§30 Refuge, and Life to all. But to which all? To such as hate iniquity, love virtue, lament for their sins past,§96 call upon his Name in verity, and do unfeignedly seek §69for his help, in the day of their trouble Of all these no §85doubt, he will be entreated, how wicked, and unthankful so ever they have ben before. But by the contrary he will destroy all that speak lies.3 He hateth all that work iniquity: nether will he show him self merciful to such as maliciously do offend.4 But all the sinners of the earth shall drink the dregs of that cup which the eternal holdeth in his hand. For he will destroy all those that traitorously decline from him.5 They shall cry, but he will not hear He shall answer unto them, let your lovers, whom ye have preferred to me• deliver you. Such as withdraw their ears from the cry of the poor, shall cry, but shall not be heard, yea albeit the blood thirst•e will multiply prayers and stretch forth their hands, yet will not God hear them. For his countenance is bent against all that commit wickedness. And thus I say you• shall never be able to prove that God will be entreated of all, except you ⟨p. 390⟩can confute the holy Ghost, and make him, to recant these, and innumerable other places. As mercy is promised to his children (for they only call in verity, they only hate sin, and follow virtue) So is severe judgement pronounced against the wicked of the world. None of these sentences: God biddeth all men every where to repent, and offereth faith to all men, are found in that sense, and meaning that ye do understand them, in the hole scriptures. True it is that Isai the Prophet, and Christ Jesus him self with his Apostles do call upon all to come to repentance: But that generality, is restrained by their own words, to those that thirst, that hunger, that mourn, that are laden with sin, as before we have taught. That place of the Acts ye ether understand not,