INTO

The Popular Notion

OF AN

UNORIGINATED, INFINITE, AND ETERNAL

PRESCIENCE;

FOR THE PURPOSE OF

ASCERTAINING WHETHER THAT DOCTRINE BE SUPPORTED BY
THE DICTATES OF REASON, AND THE WRITINGS OF THE
OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

WITH

A PREFACE

Containing a Dialogue between the Author and one of his Readers.

BY

THE REV. JAMES JONES.

"Courage to think is infinitely more rare than courage to act; and yet the danger
in the former case is only imaginary; in the latter real."

New York Christian Advocate and Journal.

LONDON:

W. BAYNES, 54, PATERNOSTER ROW; J. NISBET, BERNER'S STREET,
OXFORD STREET; AND J. STEPHENS, 16, CITY ROAD.

1828.

Ma G

CONTENTS.

THE PREFACE; Containing a Dialogue between the Author

reader of the following Treatise

CHAP. I.

A statement of the doctrine of an unoriginated, infinite, and eter-

nal Prescience, as it is currently and implicitly received by a

very large proportion of the Christian world

CHAP. II.

On the nature, diversity, and limits of Evidence.

CHAP. III.

The nature, and acquisition, and bounds of Knowledge; and the

competency of Knowledge in human beings

CHAP. IV.

a

Of Possibility and Contingency.

CHAP. VI.

The notion of a certain Prescience in relation to moral actions,

and the final issue of human life, inconsistent with human re-

sponsibility, and repugnant to all moral feeling

CHAP. VII.

The notion of a certain and eternal Prescience, in relation to all

moral actions, and the final issue of human life, not consistent

with the moral agency of God, and not compatible with eternal

existence, and not to be reconciled with the righteous government

of the world

CHAP. VIII.

An infinite and eternal Prescience, not included in the Divine

existence, nor requisite for the government of the world, nor

implied in the knowledge of the human heart, nor compatible

with the moral probation of human beings.

CHAP. IX.

The doctrine of an eternal Prescience contains no motive to piety

or moral duty, and is incapable of affording any kind of im-

provement or instruction to either the hearts or intellects of

human beings.

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