Page:A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty (3rd ed., 1735).djvu/7

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much care cannot be taken, to prevent being misunderstood and prejudg'd, in handling questions of such nice speculation as those of Liberty and Necessity: and therefore, tho' I might in justice expect to be read before any judgment be pass'd on me, I think it proper to premise the following observations.

1. First, tho' I deny liberty in a certain meaning of that word; yet I contend for iberty, as it signifies, a power in man, to do as he wills, or pleases; which is the notion of liberty maintain'd by, , Mr. , and several other Philosophers, antient and modern. And indeed after a careful examination of the best authors who have treated