5. I have a single remark to make upon those phenomena of the Will, in which evil is chosen instead of good, or sin instead of holiness. That all intelligent beings possess the power to make such a choice, is a fact affirmed by universal consciousness. But that any being, under any circumstances, should make such a choice, and that he should for ever refuse to return to the paths of virtue, notwithstanding his experience of the consequences of sin, is an abuse of human liberty, which must for ever remain an inexplicable mystery. When a being assigns the real reason in view of which right is chosen, we are always satisfied with such reason. But we are never satisfied with the reason for the opposite course.
[CONCLUSION FROM THE ABOVE.]
One conclusion forces itself upon us, from that view of the Divine government which consists with the doctrine of Liberty. The aspect of that government which results from this view of the subject commends itself to the reason and conscience of the intelligent universe. Mysteries we do and must find in it; but absurdities and contradictions, never. Under such a Government, no being is condemned for what he cannot avoid, nor rewarded for what he could but do. While
“God sits on no precarious throne,
Nor borrows leave to be,”
the destiny of the creature turns upon his own deserts, his own choice of good or evil. The elucidation of the principles of such a government “commends itself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
[CHAPTER VIII.]
OBLIGATION PREDICABLE ONLY OF THE WILL.
SECTION I.
The Will, as I have already said, exists in a trinity with the Intelligence and Sensibility. In respect to the operations of the different departments of our mental being, I lay down the two following propositions: