N05663:316
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.
But how do these Things consist with Reason, or with the Word of God? Which represents, that all God's Works, all that He has ever to do, the whole Scheme and Series of his Operations, are from the Beginning perfectly in his View; and declares, that whatever Devices and Designs are in the Hearts of Men, the Counsel of the Lord is that which shall stand, and the Thoughts of his Heart to all Generations. ⟨p. 115⟩Prov. xix.21. Psal. xxxiii.10, 11. And that which the Lord of Hosts hath purposed, none shall disannul, Isai. xiv.27. And that he cannot be frustrated in one Design or Thought, Job xlii.2. And that what God doth, it shall be forever, that Nothing can be put to it, or taken from it, Eccl. iii.14. The Stability and Perpetuity of God's Counsels are expressly spoken of as connected with the Foreknowledge of God, Isai. xlvi.10. Declaring the End from the Beginning▪ and from ancient Times the Things that are not yet done▪ […], My Counsel shall stand, and I will do all my Pleasure. And how are these Things consistent with what the Scripture says of God's Immutability, which represents Him as without Variableness, or shadow of Turning; and speaks of Him most particularly as unchangeable with Regard to his Purposes. Mal. iii.6. I am the Lord; I change not; therefore ye Sons of Jacob are not consumed. Exod. iii.14. I AM THAT I AM. Job xxiii.13, 14. He is in one Mind; and who can turn Him? And what his Soul desireth, even that he doth: for he performeth the Thing that is appointed for me.