A90293:313
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.
feet indeed, but like Mephibosheth, lame in both by a fall, so that he cannot at all walk in the path of goodness: but swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known, Rom. 3. 15, 16, 17. These and divers other such endowments, and excellent qualifications, doth the Scripture attribute to this Idol, which it calls the old man, as I shall more fully discover in the next Chapter: and is not this a goodly Reed whereon to rely, in the paths of godliness? a powerful Deity, whereunto we may repair, for a power to become the sons of God? and attaining eternal happiness? the abilities of Free-will in particular, I shall consider hereafter, now only, I will by one or two reasons show, that it cannot be the sole and proper cause, of any truly good, and spiritual act well pleasing unto God.
feet indeed, but like Mephibosheth, lame in both by a fall, so that he cannot at all walke in the path of goodnesse: but swift to shed blood, destruction and miserie are in their waies, and the way of peace they have not knowne, Rom. 3. 15, 16, 17. These and divers other such endowments, and excellent qualifications, doth the Scripture attribute to this Idol, which it cals the old man, as I shall more fully discover in the next Chapter: and is not this a goodly Reed whereon to rely, in the paths of godlinesse? a powerfull Deitie, whereunto we may repaire, for a power to become the sonnes of God? and attaining eternall happinesse? the abilities of Free-will in particular, I shall consider hereafter, now onely, I will by one or two reasons shew, that it cannot be the sole and proper cause, of any truely good, and spirituall act well pleasing unto God.
First, all spiritual acts well pleasing unto God, as faith, repentance, obedience, are supernatural: flesh and blood revealeth not these things: not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man: but of the will of God: John 1. 13