naturalist, ought not be judged to deserve any regard, when opposing the common persuasion of all men, he asserts, “That nothing is done by fate; but that it is an empty name.” And according to all authors, recording the opinions of men in this matter, the belief of Fate, to all events, has continued to be the most common persuasion both of philosophers and people; as it is at this day the persuasion of much the greatest part of mankind, according to the relations of voyagers. And though it has not equally prevailed among Christians, as it has, and does, among all other religious parties; yet it is certain, the Fatalists have been and are very numerous among Christians; and the free-will theologers themselves allow,[1] That some Christians are as great Fatalists, as any of the ancient philosophers were.
The acute and penetrating Mr. Bayle, reports the fact, as very differently understood by those who have thoroughly examined and considered the various actions of man, from what is vulgarly supposed in this matter. Says he,[2] “They who examine not to the bottom what passes within them, easily persuade themselves that they are free; but they who have considered with care the foundation and circumstances of their actions, doubt of their Freedom, and are even persuaded that their reason and understandings are slaves that cannot resist the force which carries them along.” He says also, in a familiar letter, that “the best proofs alleged for Liberty are, that without it man could not sin; and that God would be the author of evil as well as good thoughts.”[3]
And the celebrated Mr. Leibniz, that universal genius, on occasion of Archbishop King’s appeal to experience (in behalf of his notion of liberty, viz.[4] A faculty, which, being indifferent to objects and
