A04920:692
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.
For those that be with out his body, ⟨p. 400⟩are nether taught of God, nether yet know they God, in such sort as the Prophet there meaneth. Into them is never poured the spirit of sanctification: They give never unto God true honour, and glory: They nether learn justice, nether yet are they just: They are not the sons of God by adoption, nether yet the sons of light, whose works shine before men to the praise of our heavenly father. But remain ignorant, profane, idolaters, filthy persons, replenished with darkness, as the sons of the devil. And therefore can not these former sentences, which appertain to gods children only, be rightly spoken, or pronounced of the reprobate.1 Of the other sort, it is said: All that see me have mocked me, they put forth their tongues, they shake their heads. These words spake David in the person of Christ, and yet God forbid, that we should think that all (without exception) did so mock, and jest at Christ, no, not even in his greatest extremity. For some, we read, stood beside his cross with sorrowful hearts. Some returned, giving open confession that he was the Son of God. And the these began to be a preacher, even when others did most despitefully rail. And therefore where it is said: all that saw me, did mock me, that generality must be restrained to those enraged dogs, the Priests, Scribes, wicked soldiers, and most unthankful people, who of very malice did deny, and crucify their Lord, and Messiah, that was promised▪ Isai, and Jeremiah, speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the causes of the same,2 say: I shall consume you all at once, and ye shall all be ashamed, by a people that shall not profit you,3 They have all followed their own ways. Every man gapeth for bribes. Why will ye contend with me, ye have all declined from me.4 From the least to the most,5 every one is bent upon avarice they are all traitors, they are all (I say) traitors, every brother deceiveth another. All men contemn me, all men hold me in execration.