A90293:342
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, although God doth not use the wills of men in their conversion, as malign Spirits use the members of men in enthusiasms, by a violently wrested motion, but sweetly and agreeably to their own free nature; yet in the first act of our conversion, the will is merely passive, as a capable subject of such a work, not at all concurring co-operatively to our turning. It is not, I say, the cause of the work, but the subject wherein it is wrought, having only a passive capability for the receiving of that supernatural being which is introduced by grace. The beginning of this good work is merely from God, Phil. 1. 6. Yea faith is ascribed unto grace, not by the way of conjunction with, but of opposition unto our wills: not of our selves, it is the gift of God: Ephes. 2. 8. Not that we are sufficient of our selves, our sufficiency is of God: 2 Cor. 3. 5. Turn thou me, O Lord, and I shall be turned.
First, although God doth not use the wills of men in their conversion, as maligne Spirits use the members of men in enthusiasmes, by a violently wrested motion, but sweetly and agreeably to their owne free nature; yet in the first act of our conversion, the will is meerely passive, as a capable subject of such a worke, not at all concurring co-operatively to our turning. It is not, I say, the cause of the worke, but the subject wherein it is wrought, having only a passive capabilitie for the receiving of that supernaturall being which is introduced by grace. The beginning of this good worke is meerely from God, Phil. 1. 6. Yea faith is ascribed unto grace, not by the way of conjunction with, but of opposition unto our wils: not of our selves, it is the gift of God: Ephes. 2. 8. Not that we are sufficient of our selves, our sufficiency is of God: 2 Cor. 3. 5. Turne thou me, O Lord, and I shall be turned.