AN ESSAY. 465 nets of themind which are instantaneous, and many, as it were, are sometimes crouded into a moment, such as an uneasiness under the absence of good, and a desire of its presence, &c. it is difficult sometimes to say, this or that is first or last How- ever in this place it is the view and desire of good is allowed to be the next and most immediate mover-of the will, I think, by Mr. Locke's own arguing. Mr. Lee, in his notes upon Mr. Locke, gives some probs..- ble arguments against his opinion, and proves that uneasiness is not the sole'motive to voluntary actions. This uneasiness, saith hé, is a trouble, a kind of pain, a natural evil, and seems rather to be the spring of animal actions and of vicious acts, than of such as are exercises of virtue, and piety, andcharity ; and thus it is rather the motive to the wills of the worst or meanest of men, than to noble and virtuous spirits. So the fear of evil is the motiveto the vilest of men to various actions and abstinences ;* but love to do as well as receive good, moves the best- constituted minds. Thisdoctrine of uneasiness seems to govern the actions of men by the principle of brutes, for they' are carried by hun- ger and thirstanduneasiness towards their natural actions : there- fore it is more honourable and safe to ascribe at least all virtuous actions to a diviner principle. To this, let me add another reason or two, to make it more evident that this uneasiness can never be the universal and con- stant cause of determining the will. Suppose a man is pleased and easy, and perfectly satisfied in his present circumstances, be it in his present habitation, in his company, in his manner of life, in his trade and business, or any thing else : I would ask, What is it determines him to will his continuance in these cir- cumstances, his abiding in the same habitation, his conversing with the same company, &c. ? Is it any uneasiness that deter- mines him ? Is it not rather his present easiness and sense of pleasure that moveshim to will the continuance of his present ease ? And Mr. Locke confesses this in section 34. Now I wouldask whether a will to continue be not a volition,as well as a will to change. Again, Is it uneasiness that determines the blessed God, and all the holy and happy spirits in heaven, to dowhat they do ? Would it not hive a profane sound to say, that present uneasi- ness determined God to make beasts and men, birds and flowers, to create a heaven and an earth ? Can we believe that present uneasiness determines every angel to chose and love God the chief good, or to will the several actions wherein he obeys his Maker, and executes his orders ? Or that it is some present uneasiness that causes the saints in heaven to perform their seve- ral acts of duty anti adoration, or to will their continuance in the service and enjoyment cf God ? Upon the whole, it is Vol.. Iv. G o
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