A90293:251
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.
But if this be not? Pray what is obtained by the death of Christ? Whyd a potential, conditionate reconciliation, not actual, and absolute, saith Corvinus: But yet this potential reconciliation, being a new expression, never intimated in the Scripture, and scarce of it self intelligible, we want a further explanation of their mind, to know what it is that directly they assign to the merits of Christ: wherefore, they tell us, that the fruit of his death, was such ean impetration, or obtaining of reconciliation with God, and redemption for us: that God thereby hath a power, his justice being satisfied, and so not compelling him to the contrary, to grant remission of sins, to sinful men, on what condition, he would: or as another speaketh it,f There was by the effusion of Christs blood, a right obtained unto, and settled in God, of reconciling the world, and of opening unto all, a gate of repentance, and faith in Christ: But now whereas, the Scripture every where affirmeth, that Christ died for our good, to obtain blessings for us, to purchase our peace, to acquire and merit for us, the good ⟨p. 100⟩things contained in the promise of the Covenant, this opinion seems to restrain the end, and fruit thereof, to the obtaining of a power; and liberty unto God, of prescribing us a condition whereby we may be saved: but yet it may be, thus much at least Christ obtained of God in our behalf, that he should assign faith in him, to be this condition, and to bestow it upon us also: No, neither the one, nor the other, gafter all this, had it so seemed good unto his wisdom, God might have chosen the Jews, and others, following the righteousness of the law, as well as believers, because he might have assigned, any other condition of salvation besides faith in Christ: saith Grevinchovius: Notwithstanding then the death of Christ for us, we might have been held to the old rule, Do this and live: but if this be true, I cannot perceive how it may be said, that Chrid died to redeem us from our sins, to save our souls, and bring us unto glory: neither perhaps, do they think this to be any great inconvenience, for the same Author affirmeth, that