bited by others in the daily intercourse of life. As in Revelation, the only inquiry is, “What readest thou?" so here the sole question has been, What feelest thou? What are the facts of consciousness? In this manner, on the strictest principles of analysis and induction, were the conclusions stated in the Essay obtained. I then felt myself prepared to examine the best books on the subject, and found, as I anticipated, that most writers present a mixture of truth and error, and no one whom I have seen gives a complete view of this interesting subject; but that they have stated all the facts, and it might not be difficult, by a selection from the writings of two authors of the opposite parties, Locke and Reid, for example, to present a full account of the whole subject of liberty and necessity, both physical and moral. Nothing new, therefore, in matter of fact, is to be expected; for, as D'Alembert has well observed, it were as absurd to claim originality in this respect, as to pretend to new doctrines in Revelation. The facts are those which daily occur, and are familiar to all; and the sole object, therefore, has been to rescue them from the chaos in which they are found, and by arranging them according to their natural relations, to exhibit a true account of voluntary and moral agency. It requires neither the powers of inventive genius to supply the materials, nor the aid of imagination to construct theories; for the materials are already prepared in the well known judgments, desires, and purposes of men, and are each fitted to its own place, like the stones for the temple of Solomon, which needed only to be arranged in their proper places, to form the structure. How far, Sir, I have succeeded in raising the building, others must determine; but I know it is a glorious fabric; for it presents a full view of the moral government of God during the history of man, and rests upon a surer and more precious foundation than the gems on which stands the new Jerusalem-the justice, the veracity, and the mercy of the Eternal. If to this temple I have finished a corner, or raised the smallest column, I will neither consider my labour in vain, nor feel presumptuous in thus claiming your attention. But whether or not, Sir, I may have this satisfaction, I feel truly happy in having an opportunity of inscribing the Essay to you, as a small expression of my high respect and affection. Besides the feeling with which every friend of Christianity must regard the name of Dr. Chalmers, I experience a peculiar claim on my gratitude, as it is to you, in some sort, that this Essay owes its existence; for it was a discourse of yours which, if it did not fix my resolution, gave me courage and vigour to prosecute the study of theology, in a season of great hesitation and perplexity, when without a friend but Him who is the tried and unfailing Friend of them who have no help of man at all. EDINBURGH, March 1829. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Page INTRODUCTION,.. CAUSATION-Dr. Brown's theory of Cause and Effect.— Distinction of Power and Property.-Dr. Brown's theory rests on a partial induction.-Many cases of Causation in which we have a direct knowledge of Power.-Dr. Brown's conclusion, being negative, falls to the ground.-The universal conclusion is legitimately drawn, that there are properties called by the general term, power.-Hence the belief of the regularity of future events.-Mr. Hume and Dr. Brown both mistaken respecting the source of this belief. ..... 1 ..............30 On AGENCY,........................... Four great classes of causes.-Voluntary and moral causes called agents.-Fatalism inconsistent with Causation.—A voluntary agent acts invariably upon his volition, and thereby secures the greatest amount of sentient enjoyment.—A moral agent fixes his volition in the exercise of his understanding, and thereby wills what he judges morally right or most advantageous upon the whole.-In both agencies the law of Causation universally prevails.-The fact of the existence of such agents the basis of all inquiries respecting liberty and necessity. : ESSAY ON MORAL FREEDOM. SECT. I.-NATURE OF FREEDOM AND STATEMENT OF THE QUESTION, 51 Mr. Hume's method of conducting the inquiry unphilosophical and fallacious. He establishes Causation or philosophical 3 |