A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…

I would observe one Thing further concerning this Matter, and it is this; That if it be as those forementioned Writers suppose, that God's Foreknowledge is not the Cause, but the Effect of the Existence of the Event foreknown; this is so far from showing that this Foreknowledge don't infer the Necessity of the Existence of that Event, that it rather shows the contrary the more plainly. Because it shows the Existence of the Event to be so settled & firm, that it is as if it had already been; in as much as in Effect it actually exists already; it's future Existence has already had actual Influence and Efficiency, and has produced an Effect, viz. Prescience: The Effect exists already; and as the Effect supposes the Cause, is connected with the Cause, and depends entirely upon it, therefore it is as if the future Event, which is the Cause, had existed already. The Effect is firm as possible, it having already the Possession of Existence, and has made sure of it. But the Effect can't be more firm and stable than it's Cause, Ground and Reason. The Building can't be firmer than the Foundation.

I would observe one Thing further concerning this Matter, and it is this; That if it be as those foremention'd Writers suppose, that God's Foreknowledge is not the Cause, but the Effect of the Existence of the Event foreknown; this is so far from shewing that this Foreknowledge don't infer the Necessity of the Existence of that Event, that it rather shews the contrary the more plainly. Because it shews the Existence of the Event to be so settled & firm, that it is as if it had already been; in as much as in Effect it actually exists already; it's future Existence has already had actual Influence and Efficiency, and has produced an Effect, viz. Prescience: The Effect exists already; and as the Effect supposes the Cause, is connected with the Cause, and depends entirely upon it, therefore it is as if the future Event, which is the Cause, had existed already. The Effect is firm as possible, it having already the Possession of Existence, and has made sure of it. But the Effect can't be more firm and stable than it's Cause, Ground and Reason. The Building can't be firmer than the Foundation.

To illustrate this Matter, let us suppose the Appearances and Images of Things in a Glass; for Instance, a reflecting Telescope to be the real Effects of heavenly Bodies (at a Distance, and out of Sight) which they resemble: If it be so, then, as these Images in the Telescope have had a past actual Existence, and it is become utterly impossible now that it should be otherwise than that they have existed; so they being the true Effects of the heavenly Bodies they resemble, this proves the existing of those heavenly Bodies to be as real, infallible, firm and necessary, as the existing of these Effects; the one being connected with, and wholly depending on the other.— Now let us suppose future Existences some Way or other