A90293:168
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.
We pconfess say they, roundly, that faith in the consideration of God choosing us unto salvation, doth precede, and not follow as a ⟨p. 59⟩fruit of election, so that whereas Christians have hitherto believed, that God bestoweth faith, on them that are chosen, it seems now it is no such matter, but that those whom God findeth to believe, upon the stock of their own abilities, he afterwards chooseth. Neither is faith in their judgement, only required as a necessary condition in him that is to be chosen, but as a cause moving the will of God to elect him that hath it,q as the will of the Judge is moved to bestow a reward on him, who according to the law hath deserved it; as Grevinchovius speaks, which words of his, indeed Corvinus strives to temper, but all in vain, though he wrest them contrary to the intention of the Author: for with him agree all his fellows:r the one, only, absolute cause of election, is not the will of God, but the respect of our obedience, saith Episcopius: At first they required nothing but faith, and that as a condition, not ass a cause, then perseverance in faith, which at length they began to call obedience; comprehending all our duty to the precepts of Christ: for the cause say they of this love to any person, is the righteousness faith and piety wherewith he is endued, which being all the good works of a Christian, they in effect affirm a man to be chosen for them: that our good works are the cause of election, which whither it were ever so grossly taught, either by Pelagians or Papists I something doubt.
We pconfesse say they, roundly, that faith in the consideration of God choosing us unto salvation, doth precede, and not follow as a ⟨p. 59⟩fruit of election, so that whereas Christians have hitherto beleeved, that God bestoweth faith, on them that are chosen, it seemes now it is no such matter, but that those whom God findeth to beleeve, upon the stocke of their own abilities, he afterwards chooseth. Neither is faith in their judgement, only required as a necessary condition in him that is to be chosen, but as a cause moving the will of God to elect him that hath it,