The Soul has two Faculties, the Understanding and Will: The Object of the Understanding is Truth, either in it self or appearance; the Object of the Will is Goodness, either real or counterfeit. Liberty is radically in the Understanding, which freely deliberates, and by comparative Consideration, directs the Will to choose Good before Evil; and of Good the greater, and of Evil the less. When the Understanding is fully illuminated of the absolute Goodness of an Object, without the least mixture of Evil, and represents it to the Will, it is an act retrograde in Nature, and utterly repugnant to the Rational Appetite, to reject it. The indifference of the Will proceeds from some defects in the Object, or in the apprehension of it; but when an infinite Good is duly represented to the Will, the choice is most clear and free. Of this there is an illustrious Example in the Life of Moses; He refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter; choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season: Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater Riches than the treasures of Egypt: For he had an Eye to the recompense of Reward. His ⟨image 6⟩enlightened Mind considerately pondered the Eternal Reward with the transient pleasure of Sin, and his Judgment was influxive on his VVill, to choose the glorious Futurity, before the false Lustre of the Court. What is the goodly appearance of the present tempting World, but like the Rainbow, painted Tears? The heavenly Felicity is substantial and satisfying. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. He dispels the darkness of the Mind, and by its illuminating guidance, turns the VVill to accept and embrace those Objects that exceedingly satisfy its vast desires and capacity. This is an eminent part of the divine Image engraven on the Soul in its Creation: For God is sovereignly free, and does all things according to the Counsel of his Will. Our Servitude was by Seduction; Eve being deceived, was in the Transgression. Our Liberty is restored by Light; The Truth makes us free. The necessity that proceeds from external Compulsion, and from the indeliberate and strong sway of Nature, that determines to one thing, is inconsistent with Liberty. The Understanding is a free Faculty in the apprehension of Objects, the VVill free in the election of them:
The Soul has two Faculties, the Understanding and Will: The Object of the Understanding is Truth, either in it self or appearance; the Object of the Will is Goodness, either real or counterfeit. Liberty is radically in the Understanding, which freely deliberates, and by comparative Consideration, directs the Will to choose Good before Evil; and of Good the greater, and of Evil the less. When the Understanding is fully illuminated of the absolute Goodness of an Object, without the least mixture of Evil, and represents it to the Will, it is an act retrograde in Nature, and utterly repugnant to the Rational Appetite, to reject it. The indifference of the Will proceeds from some defects in the Object, or in the apprehension of it; but when an infinite Good is duely represented to the Will, the choice is most clear and free. Of this there is an illustrious Example in the Life of Moses; He refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter; choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season: Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater Riches than the treasures of Egypt: For he had an Eye to the recompence of Reward. His ⟨image 6⟩inlightened Mind considerately ponder'd the Eternal Reward with the transient pleasure of Sin, and his Judgment was influxive on his VVill, to choose the glorious Futurity, before the false Lustre of the Court. VVhat is the goodly appearance of the present tempting VVorld, but like the Rainbow, painted Tears? The heavenly Felicity is substantial and satisfying. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. He dispels the darkness of the Mind, and by its illuminating guidance, turns the VVill to accept and embrace those Objects that exceedingly satisfie its vast desires and capacity. This is an eminent part of the divine Image engraven on the Soul in its Creation: For God is soveraignly free, and does all things according to the Counsel of his Will. Our Servitude was by Seduction; Eve being deceived, was in the Transgression. Our Liberty is restor'd by Light; The Truth makes us free. The necessity that proceeds from external Compulsion, and from the indeliberate and strong sway of Nature, that determines to one thing, is inconsistent with Liberty. The Understanding is a free Faculty in the apprehension of Objects, the VVill free in the election of them:
