A90293:50
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 depose the all-governing providence of this King of Nations, denying its energetical, effectual power, in turning the hearts, ruling the thoughts, determining the wills, and disposing the actions of men, by granting nothing unto it, but a general power, and influence, to be limited, and used, according to the inclination, and will of every particular agent: so making Almighty God a desirer, that many things, were otherwise, then they are, and an idle spectator of most things that are done in the world, the falseness of which assertions shall be proved: Chapter the fourth.
Thirdly, they depose the all-governing providence of this King of Nations, denying its energeticall, effectuall power, in turning the hearts, ruling the thoughts, determining the wils, and disposing the actions of men, by granting nothing unto it, but a generall power, and influence, to be limited, and used, according to the inclination, and will of every particular agent: so making Almighty God a desirer, that many things, were otherwise, then they are, and an idle spectator of most things that are done in the world, the falsenesse of which assertions shall be proved: Chapter the fourth.
Fourthly, they deny the irresistibility, and uncontrollable power of Gods will, affirming, that oftentimes he seriously willeth, and intendeth what he cannot accomplish, and so is deceived of his aim: nay whereas he desireth, and really intendeth, to save every man, it is wholly in their own power whether he shall save, any one or no, otherwise, their Idol Free-will, should have but a poor deity, if God, could how, and when, he would, cross and resist him, in his dominion: concerning this see Chapter the fifth. His gradibus itur in coelum, corrupted nature, is still ready, either nefariously with Adam, to attempt to be like God,1 or to think foolishly, that he is altogether like unto us: one of which inconveniences, all men run into, who have not learned, to submit their frail wills, to the Almighty will of God, and captivate their understandings, to the obedience of faith.