A90293:343
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, though the will of man conferreth nothing to the infusion of the first grace, but a subjective receiving of it, yet in the very first act, that is wrought in and by the will, it most freely co-operateth (by the way of subordination) with the grace of God: and the more effectually it is moved by grace, the more freely it worketh with it. Man being converted, converteth himself.
Secondly, though the will of man conferreth nothing to the infusion of the first grace, but a subjective receiving of it, yet in the very first act, that is wrought in and by the will, it most freely co-operateth (by the way of subordination) with the grace of God: and the more effectually it is moved by grace, the more freely it worketh with it. Man being converted, converteth himselfe.
Thirdly, we do not affirm grace to be irresistible, as though it came upon the will, with such an over-flowing violence, as to beat it down before it, and subdue it by compulsion to what it is no way inclinable; but if that term must be used, it denoteth in our sense, only such an unconquerable efficacy of grace, as always and infallibly produceth its effect. For, Who is it that can withstand God? Acts 11. 17. As also it may be used on the part of the will it self, which will not resist it: all that the ⟨p. 147⟩Father gives unto Christ will come unto him: Joh. 6. 37. The operation of grace is resisted by no hard heart, because it mollifies the heart it self. It doth not so much take away a power of resisting, as give a will of obeying, whereby the powerful impotency of resistance, is removed.
Thirdly, we doe not affirme grace to be irresistible, as though it came upon the will, with such an over-flowing violence, as to beat it downe before it, and subdue it by compulsion to what it is no way inclinable; but if that terme must be used, it denoteth in our sense, onely such an unconquerable efficacie of grace, as alwaies and infallibly produceth its effect. For, Who is it that can withstand God?