A90293:137
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.
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.
Now of these two differences, the first is perpetual, in regard of their several acts, but not so the latter, they are sometimes coincident in regard of their objects: for instance, God commandeth us to believe, here his revealed will, is that we should so do: withal he intendeth we shall do so, and therefore ingenerateth faith in our hearts that we may believe: here his secret and revealed will, are coincident, the former being his precept, that we should believe, the latter his purpose that we shall believe: in this case, I say, the object of the one, and the other, is the same, even what we ought to do, and what he will do.
Now of these two differences, the first is perpetuall, in regard of their severall acts, but not so the latter, they are sometimes coincident in regard of their objects: for instance, God commandeth us to beleeve, here his revealed will, is that we should so do: withall he intendeth we shall doe so, and therefore ingenerateth faith in our hearts that we may beleeve: here his secret and revealed will, are coincident, the former being his precept, that we should beleeve, the latter his purpose that we shall beleeve: in this case, I say, the object of the one, and the other, is the same, even what we ought to doe, and what he will doe.