A90293:336
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.
God hath appointed to save believers by grace, that is a soft and sweet persuasion, convenient and agreeing to their free-will, and not by any Almighty action, saitha Arminius. It seems something strange, that the carnal mind being enmity against God, and the will enthralled to sin, and full of wretched opposition to all his ways, yet God should have no other means to work them over unto him, but some persuasion that is sweet, agreeable and congruous unto them, in that estate wherein they are: and a small exaltation it is of the dignity and power of grace, when the chief reason why it is effectual, as Alvarez observes, may be reduced to a well digested supper, or an indisturbed sleep, whereby some men may be brought into better temper then ordinary, to comply with this congruous grace. But let us for the present accept of this, and grant that God doth call some by such a congruous persuasion, at such a time, and place, as he knows they will assent unto it. I ask whether God thus calleth all men, or only some? if all, why are not all converted? for the very granting of it to be congruous, makes it effectual. If only some, then why they and not others? Is it out of a special intention to ⟨p. 143⟩have them obedient? but let them take heed, for this will go near to establish the decree of election: and out of what other intention it should be,2 they shall never be able to determine Wherefore Corvinus denies that any such congruity is required to the grace whereby we are converted,3 but only that it be a moral persuasion which we may obey if we will, and so make it effectual. Yea and Arminius himself after he had defended it as far as he was able, puts it off from himself, and falsely fathers it upon Saint Austine. So that as they jointly affirm, bthey confess no grace for the begetting of faith to be necessary, but only that which is moral: whichc one of them interpreteth, to be a declaration of the Gospel unto us. Right like their old Master