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A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…
A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, virtue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, vertue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]
printed by S. Kneeland, 1754
Part 2 › Section 8: Concerning the supposed Liberty of the Will, as opposite to all Necessity.
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.
SECTION VIII. Concerning the supposed Liberty of the Will, as opposite to all Necessity.
'TIS a Thing chiefly insisted on by Arminians, in this Controversy, as a Thing most important and essential in human Liberty, that Volitions, or the Acts of the Will, are contingent Events; understanding Contingence as opposite, not only to Constraint, but to all Necessity. Therefore I would particularly consider this Matter. And
1. I would enquire, whether there is, or can be any such Thing, as a Volition which is contingent in such a Sense, as not only to come to pass without any Necessity of Constraint or Co-action, but also without a Necessity of Consequence, or an infallible Connection with any Thing foregoing.
2. Whether, if it were so, this would at all help the Cause of Liberty.