N05663:613
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.
I. The first Thing to be considered is, Whether there are any Instances wherein there is a perfect Likeness, and absolutely no D•fference, between different Objects of Choice, that are proposed to the divine Understanding?
I. The first Thing to be considered is, Whether there are any Instances wherein there is a perfect Likeness, and absolutely no D•fference, between different Objects of Choice, that are propo•ed to the divine Understanding?
And here in the first Place, it may be worthy to be considered, whether the Contradiction there is in the Terms of the Question proposed, don't give Reason to suspect that there is an Inconsistence in the Thing supposed. 'Tis inquired, whether differ••• Objects of Choice mayn't be absolutely without Difference? […] they are absolutely without Difference, then how are they different Objects of Choice? If there be absolutely no Difference in any Respect, then there is no Variety or Distinction: For Distinction is only by some Difference. And if there be no Variety among proposed Objects of Choice, then there is no Opportunity for Variety of Choice, or Difference of Determination. For that Determination of a Thing which is not different in any Respect, is not a different Determination, but the same. That this is no Quibble, may appear more fully anon.
And here in the first Place, it may be worthy to be considered, whether the Contradiction there is in the Terms of the Question proposed, don't give Reason to suspect that there is an Inconsistence in the Thing supposed. 'Tis inquired, whether differ••• Objects of Choice mayn't be absolutely without Difference? 〈…〉 they are absolutely without Difference, then how are they different Objects of Choice? If there be absolutely no Difference in any Respect, then there is no Variety or Distinction: For Distinction is only by some Difference. And if there be no Variety among proposed Objects of Choice, then there is no Opportunity for Variety of Choice, or Difference of Determination. For that Determination of a Thing which is not different in any Respect, is not a different Determination, but the same. That this is no Quibble, may appear more fully anon.