A90293:173
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, our Saviour Christ, Matth. 11. 26. declaring how God revealeth the Gospel unto some, which is hidden from others: a special fruit of election: resteth in his will and good pleasure as the only cause thereof: even so O Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight: so comforting his little flock, Luk. 12. 32. he bids them fear not, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom: his good pleasure is the only cause why his kingdom is prepared for you, rather then others: but is there no other reason of this discrimination? No; he doth it all, that his purpose according to election might stand firm, Rom. 9. 11. For we are predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, Ephes. 1. 11. But did not this counsel of God direct him to choose us rather then others? because we had something to commend us more then they? No; The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you because you were more in number then any people, but because the Lord loved you: Deut. 7. 7, 8. He hath mercy, on whom he will have mercy, yea, before the children were borne and had done either good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth it was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger, as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated: Rom. 9. 11, 12. In brief, where ever there is any mention of election or predestination, it is still accompanied with the purpose, love, or will, of God; his foreknowledge, whereby he knoweth them that are his, his free power and supreme dominion over all things: of our faith, obedience or any thing importing so much, not one syllable, no mention, unless it be as the fruit and effect thereof: it is the sole act of his free grace and good pleasure, that he might make known the riches of his glory towards the vessels of mercy: Rom. 9. 23. for this only end hath he saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given in Jesus Christ before the world began,