A90293:89
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,u see what positively they write, concerning this everlasting fore-knowledge of God. First, they call it a troublesome question: Secondly, they make it a thing disputable, whether there be any such thing, or no? and though happily it may be ascribed unto God: yet, Thirdly, they think it no motive to the worship of him: Fourthly, they say, better it were quite exploded, because the difficulties that attend it, can scarcely be reconciled, with mans liberty, Gods threatenings and promises: yea, Fifthly, it seems rather to be invented, to crucify poor mortals: then to be of any moment in religion; so Episcopius: it may be excepted, that this is but one Doctors opinion: it is true; they are one mans words; but the thing it self, is countenanced by the whole sect. As first, in the Large prolix Declaration of their opinions, they speak not one word of it, and being taxed for this omission, by the Professors of Leiden: they vindicate themselves so coldly in their Apology, that somew learned men do from hence conclude; that certainly in their most secret judgements, all the Arminians, do consent with Socinus, in ascribing unto God, only a conjectural fore-knowledge. Andx one great Prophet of their own affirms roundly, That God after his manner oftentimes feareth, that is, suspecteth and that not without cause, and prudently conjectureth, that this or that evil may arise; Vorst: and their chiefest Patriarchs,y That God doth often intend, what he doth not foresee will come to pass, Armin. Corvin. Now whether this kind of Atheism be tolerable among Christians or no, let all men judge who have their senses exercised in the word of God, which I am sure teacheth us another lesson. For:
Fourthly,u see what positively they write, concerning this everlasting fore-knowledge of God. First, they call it a troublesome question: Secondly, they make it a thing disputable, whether there be any such thing, or no? and though happily it may be ascribed unto God: yet, Thirdly, they thinke it no motive to the worship of him: Fourthly, they say, better it were quite exploded, because the difficulties that attend it, can scarcely be reconciled, with mans libertie, Gods threatnings and promises: yea, Fifthly, it seemes rather to be invented, to crucifie poore mortals: then to be of any moment in religion; so Episcopius: it may be excepted, that this is but one Doctors opinion: it is true; they are one mans words; but the thing it selfe, is countenanced by the whole sect. As first, in the Large prolix Declaration of their opinions, they speake not one word of it, and being taxed for this omission, by the Professors of Leyden: they vidicate themselves so coldly in their Apologie, that some