N05663:64
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.
1. Things are said to be necessary in general, which are or will be notwithstanding any supposable Opposition from us or others, or from whatever Quarter. But Things are said to be necessary to us, which are or will be notwithstanding all Opposition supposable in the Case from us. The same may be observed of the Word impossible, and other such like Terms.
2. These Terms necessary, impossible, irresistible &c. do especially belong to the Controversy about Liberty and moral Agency, as used in the latter of the two Senses now mentioned, viz. as necessary or impossible to us, and with Relation to any supposable Opposition or Endeavour of ours.
2. These Terms necessary, impossible, irresistible &c. do especially belong to the Controversy about Liberty and moral Agency, as used in the latter of the two Senses now mention'd, viz. as necessary or impossible to us, and with Relation to any supposable Opposition or Endeavour of ours.
3. As the Word Necessity, in it's vulgar and common Use, is relative, and has always Reference to some supposable insufficient Opposition; so when we speak of any Thing as necessary to us, it is with Relation to some supposable Opposition of our Wills, or some voluntary Exertion or Effort of ours to the contrary. For we don't properly make Opposition to an Event, any otherwise than as we voluntarily oppose it. Things are said to be what must be, or necessarily are, as to us, when they are, or will be, tho' we desire or endeavour the contrary, or try to prevent or remove their Existence: But such Opposition of ours always either consists in, or implies Opposition of our Wills.