A90293:136
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.
It appeareth then, that the secret and revealed will of God are divers, in sundry respects, but chiefly, in regard of their acts, and their objects. First, in regard of their acts, the secret will of God is his eternal decree, and determination, concerning any thing to be done, in its appointed time: his revealed will is an act, whereby he declareth himself to love, or approve any thing, whither ever it be done, or no.
It appeareth then, that the secret and revealed will of God are divers, in sundry respects, but chiefly, in regard of their acts, and their objects. First, in regard of their acts, the secret will of God is his eternall decree, and determination, concerning any thing to be done, in its appointed time: his revealed will is an act, whereby he declareth himself to love, or approve any thing, whither ever it be done, or no.
Secondly, they are divers in regard of their objects, the object of Gods purpose and decree, is that which is good in any kind, ⟨p. 43⟩with reference to its actual existence, for it must infallibly be performed: but the object of his revealed will, is that only which is morally good, (I speak of it inasmuch as it approveth or commandeth,) agreeing to the Law, and the Gospel: and that considered, only inasmuch as it is good: for whither it be ever actually performed, or no, is accidental to the object of Gods revealed will.
Secondly, they are divers in regard of their objects, the object of Gods purpose and decree, is that which is good in any kinde, ⟨p. 43⟩with reference to its actuall existence, for it must infallibly be performed: but the object of his revealed will, is that only which is morally good, (I speake of it inasmuch as it approveth or commandeth,) agreeing to the Law, and the Gospell: and that considered, only inasmuch as it is good: for whither it be ever actually performed, or no, is accidentall to the object of Gods revealed will.