Censure Upon the Dialogue of the Anabaptists, Part 4
Of Freewill.
THis point these adversaries hand…e confusedly, and maliciously. Confusedly, because they shew not what they meane by freewill, or freedome of will: whether free from compulsion, or free from bondage of sinne. M…liciously, for that they feigne the Calvinists to hold,Pag 94. that the wicked are not onelyonly lift by Gods suffring, but compelled to sinne by power, &c. compelled by the power, force and compulsion of Gods predestination, to commit all those wicked crimes, for which they are punished by the Magistrate, or tormented in hell, &c. and then much more doth it in goodnesse, as violent…y work all: so that the godly can neither chuse nor refuse goodnesse.
Answ. If these adversaries hauehave common honestie, let them shew out of the writings of the Calvinists (as they call them) these assertions which they impute unto them. Till they doe this, let them hauehave their name and fame among lyers and workers of iniquity. As for us, we abhorre these doctrines of compulsion to sin by force and power of Gods predestination &c. As for will in man, we know it to be a naturall facultie, still remaining▪ though corrupted by sin, as all oth…r like faculties in us. We acknowledge it still to be free from compulsion or constreynt, for so will should be no vvill▪ But we confesse with grei…e that in respect of bondage to sinne (under which all m…n were sold, Rom. 7, 14.) it may rather be called Bond will, then Free will: for it is not free to refuse sin, untill it be renued by Christ: and so far as it is regenerate by him,Joh. 8.34▪36 it is againe (as other powers and faculties in the Saints) freed by grace, and willeth things that are good.
Againe,Page 95. they produce (to their owne condemnation) out of Bastingius, and the Disput. in Geneva these words; Man by evill was spoyled, not of his will, but of the soundnesse of his will: therefore that which in nature was good, in quality became evill: and Bernard teacheth, there is in us all power to will, but to will well we had need to profite better: to will evill, we are able already by reason of our fall. The which if they would stand unto (saith this adversarie) I would require no more.
Answ. This we will stand unto, and thereby doe evince Odegos to be a blinde guide and vaine disputer, that with lyes and calumnies would disgrace his opposites. We grant evill Free-will (or Free will to evill) is remaining in all naturall men: we beleeue that freewill to good, is from grace and regeneration; and that all the Saints hauehave it in part, as they hauehave knowledge, faith, and other vertues here in part: which shall be perfected in the life to come. And if no more be required, his fruitlesse dispute is at an end: and it is worthlesse labour to answer words of winde.