A04920:682
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 omnipotency of God,1 & freedom of his will we most constantly maintain, but we can not admit that our God be variable, unconstant, subject to ignorance: nether yet that his godly will depend upon the will, and disposition of man. For that were not to leave gods will at freedom but to bring it under the bondage of his creatures. Further, these words, God may do, and leave undone, what so ever shall be his pleasure, do smell somewhat of one of your articles offered unto us in this church, wherein some of your sect do affirm, that God may be fully purposed this day to do one thing, and that to morrow he may repent, and be purposed to do the contrary. Which cogitations of of God are most blasphemous, & wicked. For if his counsels be mutable, and inconstant, then ceaseth he to be the God, who nether is, nor can be changed. If you had said because that God is omnipotent, therefore he may do, and leave ⟨p. 391⟩undone, what so ever his good pleasure is, you had said well, understanding, that the purpose of God is infinite, that therefore of his good will, he so mollifieth the hearts of some men, that of most cruel, and enraged enemies, against his trueth, and poor servants, he maketh them and that suddenly preachers of his Gospel, and protectors to his Church. But when ye say, he may do what so ever is his good pleasure, ye offer occasion to the captious to suspect that you would affirm, that gods good will, & pleasure may change, and that is to deny his Godhead. But I will burden you no further, then ye shall plainly confess, I only put you in mind,2 that the holy Ghost useth no such phrase. You proceed saying.3 Nether is it his pleasure, and will, that ether pharaoh, Shimei, or any other should sin, and come to destruction.
The omnipotēcie of God,1 & fredō of his wil we most constantly mainteine, but we cā not admitte yt our God be variable, vnconstant, subiect to ignorance: nether yet yt his godly wil depēd vpon ye wil, and disposition of mā. For that were not to leaue gods will at fredome but to bring it vnder ye bondage of his creatures. Further, these wordes, God may do, and leaue vndone, what so euer shalbe his pleasure, do smell somwhat of one of your articles offered vnto vs in this churche, wherein some of your sect do affirme, yt God may be fully purposed this day to do one thing, and yt to morow he may repent, and be purposed to do the contrarie. Which cogitations of of God are most blasphemous, & wicked. For if his coū sels be mutable, and inconstant, then ceaseth he to be ye God, who nether is, nor can be changed. If you had said because yt God is omnipotēt, therfor he may do, and leaue