5. Will and understanding two powers in mind or spirit.
This, at least, I think evident,--That we find in ourselves
a power to begin or forbear, continue or end several actions of our minds, and motions of our bodies, barely by a
thought or preference of the mind ordering, or as it were commanding, the doing or not doing such or such a
particular action. This power which the mind has thus to order the consideration of any idea, or the forbearing to
consider it; or to prefer the motion of any part of the body to its rest, and vice versâ, in any particular instance, is
that which we call the Will. The actual exercise of that power, by directing any particular action, or its
forbearance, is that which we call volition or willing. The forbearance of that action, consequent to such order or
command of the mind, is called voluntary. And whatsoever action is performed without such a thought of the
mind, is called involuntary. The power of perception is that which we call the Understanding. Perception, which
we make the act of the understanding, is of three sorts:--1. The perception of ideas in our minds. 2. The
perception of the signification of signs. 3. The perception of the connexion or repugnancy, agreement or
disagreement, that there is between any of our ideas. All these are attributed to the understanding, or perceptive
power, though it be the two latter only that use allows us to say we understand.
