Page:A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty (3rd ed., 1735).djvu/102

 prevented by some restraint or compulsion, as by being gagg’d; being under an acute pain; being forc’d out of his place; being confin’d; having convulsive motions, having lost the use of his limbs; or such-like causes.

He has also the same power in relation to the actions of his mind, as to those of his body. If he wills or pleases, he can think of this or that subject; stop short or pursue his thoughts; deliberate or defer deliberation or resume deliberation as he pleases; resolve or suspend his resolution as he pleases; and, in fine, can every moment change his object when he pleases: unless prevented by pain, or a fit of an apoplexy; or some such intervening restraint or compulsion.

And is it not a great perfection in man to be able, in relation both to his thoughts and actions, to do as he wills or pleases, in all those cases of pleasure and interest? Nay, can a greater and more beneficial power in man be con-