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376 ON ABSOLUTE PREDESTINATION.

their superstructure falls to the ground, having, by their own concession, but an imaginary foundation.
Come then, let us speak a little more plainly. Some cannot reconcile the certainty of GOD's knowledge with the freedom of our will; for say-they, "His knowledge is determinate, else were it not certain. And if he knows, that I will determine my choice to such an action, then can I not chuse [[choose]] any otherwise; which takes away the freedom of my choice."
I answer, that if GOD sees, that I will determine my choice so or so, and determine it freely, then I must determine it freely, and not necessarily, because he sees that I will do it freely, and not necessarily. 
And his knowing what I do, does no more put any necessity upon me, than my seeing a man walk (supposing the utmost certainty of my senses) puts him under the necessity of walking. It is true, that if I see him walk, and my eyes do not deceive me, the consequence is certain, that he does walk. But non does infer from hence, that my seeing takes away the freedom of his will, or puts him under any necessity of walking.
GOD sees every thing act according to the nature, which he has given to it. Thus he sees the sun move, and a man walk; but he sees the one move necessarily, and not by choice, and the other walk by his own choice: and the knowledge of GOD is equally certain in both cases; therefore there is no necessity arises from the certainty of his knowledge.
And now I would desire these men to consider the consequences of their hypothesis. They would put it out of the power of GOD to make a creature with free-will, which would be to destroy the most glorious part of the creation, and the most signal and wonderful instance of the power and wisdom of GOD, in governing the wills of men, even in their full freedom. Without this, GOD could have no reasonable service paid him. There could be no rewards or punishments, because no choice, more than a stone falling down; no virtue, no sin, no wisdom or folly amongst men.Then all the promises of GOD, His threatenings,

Transcription Notes:
Please note the difference between the shape of f and s in this printing. 'S' occurring at start and middle of words is shaped like 'f' but without the crossbar. (S at word-end is like a modern 's'.) ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-10 20:51:04