Page:A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty (3rd ed., 1735).djvu/95

 to come to pass that did precede his death; and then it will be impossible to conceive (if they think justly) his death could have come to pass any where else, as they conceive it impossible for two and two to make six. I observe also, that to suppose other circumstances of any action possible, than those that do precede it, is to suppose a contradiction or impossibility: for, as all actions have their particular circumstances, so every circumstance preceding an action, is as impossible not to have come to pass, by virtue of the causes preceding that circumstance, as that two and two should make six.

Having as I hope prov’d the truth of what I have advanc’d, and answer’d the most material objections that can be urg’d against me; it will perhaps not be improper to give some account of the sentiments of the learned in relation to my subject, and confirm by authority what I have said for the sake of those with whom authority has weight in matters of speculation.