JONATHAN EDWARDS ON THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL

Edwards sumamrizes what 'arminians', 'pelagians' and others who 'oppose calvinism' mean by 'liberty of the will'. There are three components:

1. It consists in a self-determining power in the will, or a certain sovereignty the will has over itself...so as not to be dependent, in its determinations, on any cause without (outside of) itself

2. Indifference belongs to liberty...the mind, previous to the act of volition, is in equilibrio (not favoring one way or the other...completely impartial)

3. Contingency is required...opposition to all necessity or any fixed or certain connection between cause and effect of an action

JE summarizes their position: "They suppose the essence of liberty so much to consist in these things, that unless the will of man be free in this sense, he has no real freedom, how much soever he may be at liberty to act according to his will."



Edwards reasons differently:

"The choice of the mind never departs from that which, at the time, and with respect to the direct and immediate objects of decision, appears most agreeable and pleasing, all things considered."

"A man never, in any instance, wills anything contrary to his desires, or desires any thing contrary to his Will."

"Thus, when a drunkard has his liquor before him...if he chooses to drink it, and not to let it alone; then this action, as it stands in the view of his mind, with all that belongs to its appearance there, is more agreeable and pleasing than letting it alone."