A90293:348
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.
Now this first grace is not properly and formally a vital act, but causaliter only, in being a principle moving to such vital acts within us. It is, the habit of faith bestowed upon a man, that he may be able to elicate and perform the acts thereof; giving new light to the understanding, new inclinations to the will, and new affections unto the heart. For the infallible efficacy of which grace, it is that we plead against the Arminians, and amongst those innumerable places of holy Scripture confirming this truth, I shall make use only of a very few reduced to these three heads.
Now this first grace is not properly and formally a vitall act, but causaliter only, in being a principle moving to such vitall acts within us. It is, the habit of faith bestowed upon a man, that he may be able to elicate and performe the acts thereof; giving new light to the understanding, new inclinations to the will, and new affections unto the heart. For the infallible efficacie of which grace, it is that we plead against the Arminians, and amongst those innumerable places of holy Scripture confirming this truth, I shall make use only of a very few reduced to these three heads.
First, Our conversion is wrought by a divine Almighty action, which the will of man will not, and therefore cannot resist: the impotency thereof, ought not to be opposed to this omnipotent grace, which will certainly effect the work, for which it is ordained: being an action not inferior to the greatness of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, Ephes. 1. 19, 20. and shall not that power which could overcome hell, and loose the bonds of death, be effectual for the raising of a sinner, from the death of sin, when by Gods intention it is appointed unto that work. He accomplisheth the work of faith with power: 2 Thess. 1. 11. It is his divine power, that gives unto us all things that appertain to life and godliness: 2 Pet. 1. 3