A90293:309
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.
Secondly, if the free acts of our wills are so subservient, to the providence of God, as that he useth them to what end he will, and by them effecteth many of his purposes, then they cannot of themselves, be so absolutely independent as to have in their own power, every necessary circumstance, and condition, that they may use, or not use at their pleasure: Now the former is proved, by all those reasons, and Texts of Scripture, I before produced, to show that the providence of God overruleth the actions and determineth the wills of men, freely to do, that which he hath appointed: and truly were it otherwise, Gods dominion over the most things that are in the world, were quite ⟨p. 130⟩excluded, he had not power to determine, that any one thing, should ever come to pass, which hath any reference to the wills of men.
Secondly, if the free acts of our wils are so subservient, to the providence of God, as that he useth them to what end he will, and by them effecteth many of his purposes, then they cannot of themselves, be so absolutely independent as to have in their owne power, every necessarie circumstance, and condition, that thoy may use, or not use at their pleasure: Now the former is proved, by all those reasons, and Texts of Scripture, I before produced, to shew that the providence of God overruleth the actions and determineth the wils of men, freely to doe, that which he hath appointed: and truely were it otherwise, Gods dominion over the most things that are in the world, were quite ⟨p. 130⟩excluded, he had not power to determine, that any one thing, should ever come to passe, which hath any reference to the wils of men.
Thirdly, all the acts of the will, being positive entities, were it not previously moved, by God himself, in whom we live, move, and have our being, must needs have their essence and existence, solely from the will it self: which is thereby made [Greek or Hebrew], a first and supreme cause, endued with an underived being: and so much to that particular.