A04920:683
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.
Before we have confessed that iniquity, and sin is so odious before God, that in it can his goodness never delight, nether yet can he have pleasure in the destruction of any creature, having respect to the punishment only. But seeing that gods glory must needs shine in all his creatures, yea even in the perpetual damnation of satan, & torment of the reprobate, why shall not he will, and take pleasure, that so it come to pass. Albeit your phrenetique brains can not comprehend the brightness thereof, yet will he one day declare that all his works are wrought in justice, wisdom, and equity. I think you will not deny, but that pharaoh, Shimei, Judas and others, came to destruction, like as in the end shall all reprobate do. Then do I ask, if God at no time, for no purpose, respect, nor end did so will, how then came their destruction to pass? By sin, say you, that we deny not. but yet the question is not answered. For continually we demand, if in God there was not power, ether to have impeded their sin, or yet after their sin to have called them to repentance, if it had so pleased his eternal wisdom, and goodness Consider your folly, and give glory to God, who doth what so ever he will in heaven and in earth. But now to that which followeth.
Before we haue confessed yt iniquitie, and sinne is so odious before God, yt in it can his goodnes neuer delyte, nether yet can he haue pleasure in the destruction of any creature, hauing respect to ye punishment onely. But seing yt gods glorie must nedes shyne in all his creatures, yea euen in ye perpetuall damnation of sathan, & torment of the reprobate, why shal not he wil, and take pleasure, yt so it come to passe. Albeit your phrenetique braines can not comprehend ye brightnes therof, yet wil he one day declare yt al his workes are wroght in iustice, wisedom, and equitie. I thinke you will not deny, but that pharao, Semei, Iudas and others, came to destruction, like as in the end shall all reprobate do. Then do I aske, if God at no time, for no purpose, respect, nor end did so will, how then came their destruction to passe? By sinne, say you, that we denie not. but yet the questiō is not answered. For continually we demand, if in God there was not power, ether to haue impeded their sinne, or yet after their sinne to haue called them to repentance, if it had so pleased his eternal wisedom, and goodnes Consider your foly, and giue glorie to God, who doth what so euer he will in heauen and in earth. But now to that which foloweth.