A90293:255
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, It is clear that Christ died to procure for us an actual reconciliation with God: and not only a power for us to be reconciled unto him: for when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his son: Rom. 5. 10. we enjoy an actual reconciliation unto God by his death: he is content to be called our God, when we are enemies, without the intervening of any condition on our part required: though the sweetness, comfort, and knowledge of this reconciliation, do not compass, our souls before we believe in him. Again, we have remission of sins by his blood, and justification from them, not a sole vindication into such an estate, wherein, if it please God, and our selves, our sins are pardonable: for we are justified through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins: Rom. 3. 24, 25. Yea, he obtained for us by his death, righteousness and holiness. He gave himself for his Church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, Ephes. 5. 26. That he might present it unto himself a glorious Church, without spot, or wrinkle, that we should be holy, and without blemish: vers. 27. Where first, we have whom Christ died, or gave himself for, even his Church: secondly, what he obtained for it, holiness and righteousness, a freedom from the spots, and blemishes of sin, that is, the grace of justification and sanctity, he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in him: 2 Cor. 5. 21. And lastly he died, to purchase for us, an everlasting inheritance: Heb. 9. 15. So that both grace and glory, are bestowed on them for whom he died, as the immediate fruits of his death and passion.
First, It is cleare that Christ died to procure for us an actuall reconciliation with God: and not only a power for us to be reconciled unto him: for when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his sonne: Rom. 5. 10