An Inquiry Into the Modern Prevailing Notions Respecting that Freedom of Will which is Supposed to be Essential to Moral Agency, Virtue and Vice, Reward and Punishment, Praise and Blame"This book considers the doctrines of free will and moral agency in light of Christianity. The subject is of such importance as to demand attention, and the most thorough consideration. Of all kinds of knowledge that we can ever obtain, the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves, are the most important. As religion is the great business, for which we are created, and on which our happiness depends; and as religion consists in an intercourse between ourselves and our Maker, and so has its foundation in God's nature and ours, and in the relation that God and we stand in to each other; therefore a true knowledge of both must be needful, in order to true religion. But the knowledge of ourselves consists chiefly in right apprehensions concerning those two chief faculties of our nature, the understanding and will"--Preface |
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Page xxxiii
... affirms that this enactment is contrary to the spirit of the constitution , and is in itself an out- rage upon unalienable rights . In an argument of this sort , he might happen to have all reason and good principles on his side ; and ...
... affirms that this enactment is contrary to the spirit of the constitution , and is in itself an out- rage upon unalienable rights . In an argument of this sort , he might happen to have all reason and good principles on his side ; and ...
Page xlviii
... affirm that an unalterable and iron fatality - an immovable sequency of cause and effect , rules the world . If there be any prac- tical inference whatever - any inference or co- rollary which demands respectful hearing , ap- pended to ...
... affirm that an unalterable and iron fatality - an immovable sequency of cause and effect , rules the world . If there be any prac- tical inference whatever - any inference or co- rollary which demands respectful hearing , ap- pended to ...
Page lvii
... affirm , or indeed could con- sistently imagine , that either the idealism of Berkeley , or the non - causal causation of Hume , or any similar doctrine , can properly occasion even the smallest difficulty or obstruction to the chemist ...
... affirm , or indeed could con- sistently imagine , that either the idealism of Berkeley , or the non - causal causation of Hume , or any similar doctrine , can properly occasion even the smallest difficulty or obstruction to the chemist ...
Page lix
... affirm this in- dependence of physics and metaphysics , were it not that the immemorial practice of con- founding the science of the human mind with pure abstractions , has filled both departments of intellectual philosophy with ...
... affirm this in- dependence of physics and metaphysics , were it not that the immemorial practice of con- founding the science of the human mind with pure abstractions , has filled both departments of intellectual philosophy with ...
Page lx
... affirm their absolute independence one of the other . And as no inference drawn from the former can impugn the demonstrations of the latter ; so neither can these demonstrations reach , or modify , the actual conformation of any of the ...
... affirm their absolute independence one of the other . And as no inference drawn from the former can impugn the demonstrations of the latter ; so neither can these demonstrations reach , or modify , the actual conformation of any of the ...
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absolute absurd according act of choice action affirm agency agreeable antecedent apostasy argument Arminian notion atheism blame Calvinists causation cause cerning certainly CHIG choose Christ command common sense concerning connexion consequence consists contingent contrary degree dependent desire determined dispositions Divine doctrine doctrine of necessity effect ence endeavours eternal event evidence evil excite exercise exertion existence faculty follow fore foreknowledge foretold free act freedom future God's ground heart holy human impossible inclination inconsistent indifference infinite influence innu instance knowledge mankind manner means men's Messiah metaphysical mind moral agents moral necessity motive nature Nebuchadnezzar neces necessary nexion notion of liberty object observed Pelagians perfect perfectly philosophers praise prescience principles properly prove Psal reason respect Scripture self-determining power shew sophism soul speak spect suppose supposition tain thing things considered tion true truth virtue and vice virtuous or vicious wherein Whitby will's words worthy
Popular passages
Page 229 - For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Page 177 - But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Page 212 - He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Page 164 - I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Page 166 - His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Page 228 - And they sung a new song, saying, "Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.
Page 228 - And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.
Page 220 - Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Page 162 - For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.