A90293:51
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.
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.
Fourthly, they denie the irresistibilitie, and uncontrolable power of Gods will, affirming, that oftentimes he seriously willeth, and intendeth what he cannot accomplish, and so is deceived of his ayme: nay whereas he desireth, and really intendeth, to save every man, it is wholly in their owne power whether he shall save, any one or no, otherwise, their Idol Free-will, should have but a poore deitie, if God, could how, and when, he would, crosse and resist him, in his dominion: concerning this see Chapter the fifth. His gradibus itur in coelum, corrupted nature, is still readie, either nefariously with Adam, to attempt to be like God,1 or to thinke foolishly, that he is altogether like unto us: one of which inconveniences, all men runne into, who have not learned, to submit their fraile wils, to the Almightie will of God, and captivate their understandings, to the obedience of faith.
- 1Psal. 50.
Secondly, the second end, at which the new doctrine of the Arminians aimeth, is to clear humane nature, from the heavy imputation, of being sinful, corrupted, wise to do evil, but unable to do good: and so to vindicate unto themselves, a power, and ability, of doing all that good, which God can justly require to be done, by them, in the state wherein they are, of making themselves, differ from other, who will not make so good use, of the endowments of their natures, that so the first, and chiefest part, in the work of their salvation, may be ascribed unto themselves: a proud Luciferian endeavour; to this end: