A90293:22
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.
To the Christian Reader.
READER,
Thou canst not be such a stranger in our Israel, as that it should be necessary for me, to acquaint thee, with the first sowing and spreading of these Tares in the Field of the Church, much less to declare, what divisions and thoughts of heart, what open bitter contentions, to the loss of Ecclesiastical peace, have been stirred up amongst us about them: only some few things relating to this my particular endeavour, I would willingly premonish thee of.
THou canst not be such a stranger in our Izrael, as that it should be necessary for me, to acquaint thee, with the first sowing and spreading of these Tares in the Field of the Church, much lesse to declare, what divisions and thoughts of heart, what open bitter contentions, to the losse of Ecclesiasticall peace, have beene stirred up amongst us about them: onely some few things relating to this my particular endeavour, I would willingly premonish thee of.
First, Never were so many prodigious errors introduced into a Church, with so high a hand, and so little opposition, as these into ours, since the nation of Christians was known in the world, the chief cause I take to be, that which Aeneas Sylvius gave, why more maintained the Pope to be above the Council, then the Council above the Pope, because Popes gave Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, &c. but the Councils sued in forma pauperis, and therefore could scarce get an Advocate to plead their cause: the fates of our Church having of late devolved the government thereof into the hands of men tainted with this poison, Arminianism became backed, with the powerful Arguments, of praise and preferment, and quickly prevailed, to beat poor naked truth into a corner: It is high time then for all the lovers of the old way, to oppose this innovation, prevailing by such unworthy means, before our breach grow great like the Sea, and there be none to heal it.