N05663:292
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 11: The Evidence of GOD's certain Foreknowledge of the Volitions of moral Agents.
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.
The Persecutions, which the Apostle Paul was to meet with in the World, were foretold; Acts ix.16.—xx.23. & xxi.11. The Apostle says to the Christian Ephesians, Acts xx.29, 30. I know, that after my Departure shall grievous Wolves enter in among you, not sparing the Flock: Also of your own selves shall Men arise, speaking perverse Things, to draw away Disciples after them. The Apostle says, He knew this; but he did not know it, if God did not know the future Actions of moral Agents.
4. Unless God foreknows the future Acts of moral Agents, all the Prophecies we have in Scripture concerning the great Antichristian Apostasy; the Rise, Reign, wicked Qualities and Deeds of the Man of Sin, and his Instruments and Adherents; the Extent and long Continuance of his Dominion, his Influence on the Minds of Princes and others, to corrupt them, and draw them away to Idolatry, and other foul Vices; his great and cruel Persecutions; the Behaviour of the Saints under these great Temptations, &c. &c. I say, unless the Volitions of moral Agents are foreseen, all these Prophecies are uttered without knowing the Things foretold.
4. Unless God foreknows the future Acts of moral Agents, all the Prophecies we have in Scripture concerning the great Antichristian Apostacy; the Rise, Reign, wicked Qualities and Deeds of the Man of Sin, and his Instruments and Adherents; the Extent and long Continuance of his Dominion, his Influence on the Minds of Princes and others, to corrupt them, and draw them away to Idolatry, and other foul Vices; his great and cruel Persecutions; the Behaviour of the Saints under these great Temptations, &c. &c. I say, unless the Volitions of moral Agents are foreseen, all these Prophecies are uttered without knowing the Things foretold.