_reductio ad absurdum_. But we believe no one has produced a
more striking illustration of his ability in the use of this weapon,
than that which we have just adduced. For if we contend, that every
act is to be judged according to its own nature, whether it be good
or evil, he will demonstrate, that we render virtue impossible, and
exclude it entirely from the world. On the other hand, if we shift
our position, and contend that no act is to be judged according to
its own nature, but according to the goodness or badness of its
origin or cause, he will also reduce this position, diametrically
opposite though it be to the former, to precisely the same
absurdity; namely, that it excludes all virtue out of the world, and
banishes it from the universality of things! Surely, this _reductio
ad absurdum_ is a most formidable weapon in his hands; since he
wields it with such destructive fury against the most opposite
principles, and seems himself scarcely less exposed than others to
its force.

92 Inquiry, part iv, sec. x.

93 Religious Affections, part iii, sec. ii.

94 Ibid.

95 Dr. Woods.

96 Ibid.

97 Inquiry of President Edwards, part iv, sec. 1.

98 Institutes of Theology, part iii, chap. i.

99 President Edwards.

100 Dr. Chalmers.

101 Psychology, p. 247.

102 History of Ancient Philosophy, vol. iii, p. 555.

103 Ibid.

104 President Edwards's Works, vol. ii, p. 16.

105 Id., vol. v, pp. 10, 11.

106 Id., vol. iv, p. 82.

107 Ibid.

108 Inquiry, p. 17.

109 Inquiry, part i, sec. iii.

110 Id., part i, sec. iv.

111 Inquiry, pp. 54, 55.

112 Inquiry, p. 55.

113 Id., p. 50.

114 Inquiry, p. 54.

115 Id., p. 55.

116 Inquiry, p. 77.

117 Ibid.

118 Ibid.

119 Id., p. 78.

120 Id., p. 79.

121 Theodicee.

122 Inquiry, p. 277.

123 Id., pp. 50, 51.

124 Remarks upon Collins's Philosophical Inquiry.

125 Inquiry, p. 198.

126 Edwards's Inquiry, p. 178.

127 See Examination of Edwards on the Will.

128 Discours de la Conformite de la Foi avec la Raison.

129 See Examination of Edwards on the Will, sec. ix.

130 President Day on the Will, p. 160.

131 Inquiry, p. 203.

132 Dissertation, p. 181.

133 Inquiry of Edwards, p. 222.

134 Edwards's Inquiry, p. 222.

135 A different view o