N05663:394
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
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.
Dr. Whitby very often speaks of what he calls a Freedom ad utrumlibet, without Necessity, as requisite to Law and Commands; and speaks of Necessity as entirely inconsistent with Injunctions and Prohibitions. But yet we read of Christ's being the Subject of the Commands of his Father, Joh. x.18. and xv.10. And Christ tells us, that every Thing that He said, or did, was in Compliance with Commandments he had received of the Father; Joh. xii.49, 50. & xiv.31. And we often read of Christ's Obedience to his Father's Commands, Rom. v.19. Phil. ii.18. Heb. v.8.
Dr. Whitby very often speaks of what he calls a Freedom ad utrumlibet, without Necessity, as requisite to Law and Commands; and speaks of Necessity as entirely inconsistent with Injunctions and Prohibitions. But yet we read of Christ's being the Subject of the Commands of his Father, Ioh. x.18. and xv.10. And Christ tells us, that every Thing that He said, or did, was in Compliance with Commandments he had received of the Father; Joh. xii.49, 50. & xiv.31. And we often read of Christ's Obedience to his Father's Commands, Rom. v.19. Phil. ii.18. Heb. v.8.
The forementioned Writer represents Promises offered as Motives to Persons to do their Duty, or a being moved and induced by Promises, as utterly inconsistent with a State wherein Persons have not a Liberty ad utrumlibet, but are necessarily determined to one. (See particularly, P. 298. & 311.) But the Thing which this Writer asserts, is demonstrably false, if the Christian Religion be true. If there be any Truth in Christianity or the holy Scriptures, the Man Christ Jesus had his Will infallibly, unalterably and unfrustraby determined to Good, and that alone; but yet he had Promises of glorious Rewards made to Him, on Condition of his persevering in, and perfecting the Work which God had appointed Him;