A90293:339
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.
Thirdly, they teach, That notwithstanding any purpose and intention of God to convert, and so to save a sinner, notwithstanding the most powerful and effectual operation of the blessed spirit, with the most winning persuasive preaching of the word, yet it is in the power of a man, to frustrate that purpose, resist that operation, and reject that preaching of the Gospel. I shall not need to prove this, for it is that, which in direct terms they plead for: which also they must do, if they will comply with their former principles. For granting all these to have no influence upon any man, but by the way of moral persuasion, we must not only, grant that it may be resisted, but also utterly deny, that it can be obeyed. We ⟨p. 145⟩may resist it I say, as having both a disability to good, and repugnancy against it: but for obeying it, unless we will deny all inherent corruption and depravation of nature, we cannot attribute any such sufficiency unto our selves.
Thirdly, they teach, That notwithstanding any purpose and intention of God to convert, and so to save a sinner, notwithstanding the most powerfull and effectuall operation of the blessed spirit, with the most winning perswasive preaching of the word, yet it is in the power of a man, to frustrate that purpose, resist that operation, and reiect that preaching of the Gospell. I shall not need to prove this, for it is that, which in direct tearmes they plead for: which also they must doe, if they will comply with their former principles. For granting all these to have no influence upon any man, but by the way of morall perswasion, we must not onely, grant that it may be resisted, but also utterly deny, that it can be obeyed. We ⟨p. 145⟩may resist it I say, as having both a disability to good, and repugnancie against it: but for obeying it, unlesse we will deny all inherent corruption and depravation of nature, we cannot attribute any such sufficiency unto our selves.
Now concerning this weakness of grace, that it is not able to overcome the opposing power of sinful nature, one testimony of Arminius shall suffice,