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

Some seem to disdain the Distinction that we make between natural and moral Necessity, as tho' it were altogether impertinent in this Controversy: That which is necessary (say they) is necessary; it is that which must be, and can't be preventent And that which is impossible, is impossible, and can't be done: and therefore none can be to blame for not doing it. And such Comparisons are made use of, as the commanding of a Man to walk who has lost his Legs, and condemning and punishing Him for not obeying; Inviting and calling upon a Man, who is shut up in a strong Prison, to come forth, &c. But in these Things Arminians are very unreasonable. Let common Sense determine whether there be not a great Difference between those two Cases; the one, that of a Man who has offended his Prince, and is cast into Prison; and after he has lain there a while, the King comes to him, calls him to ⟨p. 218⟩come forth to Him; and tells him that if he will do so, and will fall down before Him, and humbly beg his Pardon, he shall be forgiven, and set at Liberty, and also be greatly enriched, and advanced to Honour: The Prisoner heartily repents of the Folly and Wickedness of his Offence against his Prince, is thoroughly disposed to abase Himself, and accept of the King's Offer; but is confined by strong Walls, with Gates of Brass, and Bars of Iron. The other Case is, that of a Man who is of a very unreasonable Spirit, of a haughty, ungrateful, wilful Disposition; and moreover, has been brought up in traiterious Principles; and has his Heart possessed with an extreme and inveterate Enmity to his lawful Sovereign; and for his Rebellion is cast into Prison, and lies long there, loaden with heavy Chains, and in miserable Circumstances. At length the compassionate Prince comes to the Prison, orders his Chains to be knocked off, and his Prison-Doors to be set wide open; calls to him, and tells Him, if He will come forth to him, and fall down before him, acknowledge that he has treated him unworthily, and ask his Forgiveness; He shall be forgiven, set at Liberty, and set in a Place of great Dignity and Profit in his Court. But He is so stout and stomachful, and full of haughty Malignity, that He can't be willing to accept the Offer: his rooted strong Pride and Malice have perfect Power over him, and as it were bind him, by binding his Heart:

Some seem to disdain the Distinction that we make between natural and moral Necessity, as tho' it were altogether impertinent in this Controversy: That which is necessary (say they) is necessary; it is that which must be, and can't be preventent And that which is impossible, is impossible, and can't be done: and therefore none can be to blame for not doing it. And such Comparisons are made use of, as the commanding of a Man to walk who has lost his Legs, and condemning and punishing Him for not obeying; Inviting and calling upon a Man, who is shut up in a strong Prison, to come forth, &c. But in these Things Arminians are very unreasonable. Let common Sense determine whether there be not a great Difference between those two Cases; the one, that of a Man who has offended his Prince, and is cast into Prison; and after he has lain there a while, the King comes to him, calls him to