A90293:13
Theomachia autexousiastikē
Theomachia autexousiastikē: or, A display of Arminianism. Being a discovery of the old Pelagian idol free-will, with the new goddess contingency, advancing themselves, into the throne of the God of heaven to the prejudice of his grace, providence, and supreme dominion over the children of men. Wherein the main errors of the Arminians are laid open, by which they are fallen off from the received doctrine of all the reformed churches, with their opposition in divers particulars to the doctrine established in the Church of England. Discovered out of their own writings and confessions, and confuted by the Word of God. / By John Owen, Master of Arts of Queens College in Oxon.Theomachia autexousiastikē: or, A display of Arminianisme. Being a discovery of the old Pelagian idol free-will, with the new goddesse contingency, advancing themselves, into the throne of the God of heaven to the prejudice of his grace, providence, and supreme dominion over the children of men. Wherein the maine errors of the Arminians are laid open, by which they are fallen off from the received doctrine of all the reformed churches, with their opposition in divers particulars to the doctrine established in the Church of England. Discovered out of their owne writings and confessions, and confuted by the Word of God. / By Iohn Owen, Master of Arts of Queens Colledge in Oxon.
London: printed by I.L. for Phil. Stephens, 1643
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR RELIGION.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE LORDS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR RELIGION.
The many ample testimonies of zealous reverence to the providence of God, as well, as affectionate care, for the privileges of men, which have been given, by this Honourable Assembly of Parliament, encourage the adorers of the one, no less then the Lovers of the other, to vindicate that also, from the encroachments of men. And as it was not doubtless without divine disposition, that those should be the chiefest ⟨image 3⟩Agents, in robbing men of their privileges, who had nefariously attempted to spoil God of his providence: so we hope, the same All-ruling hand, hath disposed of them, to be glorious instruments, of re-advancing his right, and supreme dominion over the hearts of men, whose hearts, he hath prepared with courage and constancy, to establish men, in their inviolated rights: by reducing a sweet Harmony, between awful Sovereignty, and a well moderated liberty. Now the first of these, being demandated to your particular care, I come unto you, with a Bill of Complaint, against no small number in this Kingdom; who have wickedly violated, our interest in the providence of God, and have attempted to bring in, the foreign power of an old Idol, to the great prejudice, of all the true subjects, and servants of the most High. My accusation I make good, by the evidence of the fact, joined with their own confessions. And because to wave the imputation of violent intrusion, into the dominion of another, they lay some claim, and pretend some title unto it. I shall briefly show how it is contrary to the express terms of the ⟨image 3⟩Great Charter of heaven, to have any such power, introduced amongst men: Your known Love to truth, and the Gospel of Christ, makes it altogether needless for me, to stir you up by any motives, to hearken to this just Complaint, and provide a timely remedy for this growing evil: especially since experience, hath so clearly taught us here in England, that not only eternal, but temporal happiness also, dependeth on the flourishing of the Truth of Christs Gospel.