ESSAYS PHILOSOPHICAL, MORAL, 8m. 9

able and prefumptuous to expeEt that men lhould
be able to comprehend or explain the mode in
which the Divine attributes exilt or operate.
We know by intuition as well as induction, that
the will of man is free: and we know from the
accomplifhment of Prophecies, as well as by the
exprefs claims and declarations of the Divine
Being, that all Futurity lies open to his immenfe
furvey. And thele truths, if Teparately proved,
muit undoubtedly be confiltent with each other,
however inconfiltent or irreconcileahle they may
appear to our weak and limited capacities. But
even if it‘ fhould be allowed that the free-will of
man, and the fore-knowledge of Deity, when
underltood in its utmoft latitude, are exprefs
contradictions, it would {iurely be much leis de-
rogatory to the honor and glory of Almighty
God to acknowledge, that the attribute of pre-
iicience is not abfolutely and {triEtly' {peaking
without limitation, than to alTert the exiflence

of it in fuch a fenle, as to imply the impofii‘

bility of imparting to man freedom of agency,
the glorious and ineftimable privilege of felf-
determination. If it is in the nature of things
impolhble that the attribute of prefcience can
fublilt in its iiulleit extent without depriving men
of that faculty which can alone render them mo-
ral or accountable" agents; with profound fub-
rnillion and reverence we may venture to affirm,

i that