A90293:140
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.
First, That God may command many things by his word, which he never decreed that they should actually be performed: because, in such things, his words are not a revelation of his eternal decree and purpose: but only a declaration of some thing where with he is well pleased, be it by us performed or no in the forecited case, he commanded Pharaoh, to let his people go, and plagued him for refusing to obey his command: hence we may not collect, that God intended the obedience and conversion of Pharaoh by this his precept, but was frustrated of his intention, for the Scripture is evident and clear, that God purposed by his disobedience, to accomplish an end far different, even a manifestation of his glory by his punishment: but only that obedience unto his commands is pleasing unto him: as 1 Sam. 15. 22.
First, That God may command many things by his word, which he never decreed that they should actually be performed: because, in such things, his words are not a revelation of his eternall decree and purpose: but only a declaration of some thing where with he is well pleased, be it by us performed or no in the forecited case, he commanded Pharaoh, to let his people goe, and plagued him for refusing to obey his command: hence we may not collect, that God intended the obedience and conversion of Pharaoh by this his precept, but was frustrated of his intention, for the Scripture is evident and cleere, that God purposed by his disobedience, to accomplish an end farre different, even a manifestation of his glory by his punishment: but only that obedience unto his commands is pleasing unto him: as 1 Sam. 15. 22.
Secondly, That the will of God to which our obedience is required, is the revealed will of God, contained in his word, whose compliance with his decree is such, that hence we learn three things tending to the execution of it. First, that it is the condition of the word of God, and the dispensation thereof, instantly to persuade to faith and obedience: Secondly, that it is our duty, by all means to aspire to the performance of all things by it enjoined, and our fault if we do not. Thirdly, that God by these means, will accomplish his eternal decree of saving his elect, and that he willeth the salvation of others, inasmuch as he calleth