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

II. Another Thing alleged is, That innumerable Things which are determined by the divine Will, and chosen and done by God rather than others, differ from those that are not chosen in so inconsiderable a Manner, that it would be unreasonable to suppose the Difference to be of any Consequence, or that there is any superior Fitness or Goodness, that God can have Respect to in the Determination.

II. Another Thing alledged is, That inummerable Things which are determined by the divine Will, and chosen and done by God rather than others, differ from those that are not chosen in so inconsiderable a Manner, that it would be unreasonable to suppose the Difference to be of any Consequence, or that there is any superiour Fitness or Goodness, that God can have Respect to in the Determination.

To which I answer; it is impossible for us to determine with any Certainty or Evidence, that because the Difference is very small, and appears to us of no Consideration, therefore there is absolutely no superior Goodness, and no valuable End which can be proposed by the Creator and Governor of the World, in ordering such a Difference. The forementioned Author mentions many Instances. One is, there being one Atom in the whole Universe more, or less. But I think it would be unreasonable to suppose, that God made one Atom in vain, or without any End or Motive. He made not one Atom but what was a Work of his almighty Power, as much as the whole Globe of the Earth, and requires as much of a constant Exertion of almighty Power to uphold it; and was made and is uph•ld understandingly, and on Design, as much as if no other had been made but that. And it would be as unreasonable to suppose, that he made it without any Thing really aimed at in so doing, as much as to suppose that he made the Planet Jupiter without Aim or Design.

To which I answer; it is impossible for us to determine with any Certainty or Evidence, that because the Difference is very small, and appears to us of no Consideration, therefore there is absolutely no superiour Goodness, and no valuable End which can be proposed by the Creator and Governor of the World, in ordering such a Difference. The foremention'd Author mentions many Instances. One is, there being one Atom in the whole Universe more, or less. But I think it would be unreasonable to suppose, that God made one Atom in vain, or without any End or Motive. He made not one Atom but what was a Work of his almighty Power, as much as the whole Globe of the Earth, and requires as much of a constant Exertion of almighty Power to uphold it; and was made and is uphld understandingly, and on Design, as much as if no other had been made but that. And it would be as unreasonable to suppose, that he made it without any Thing really aimed at in so doing, as much as to suppose that he made the Planet Iupiter without Aim or Design.