51. A constant determination to a pursuit of happiness no abridgment of liberty.
But to give a right view of this
mistaken part of liberty let me ask,--Would any one be a changeling, because he is less determined by wise
considerations than a wise man? Is it worth the name of freedom to be at liberty to play the fool, and draw shame
and misery upon a man's self? If to break loose from the conduct of reason, and to want that restraint of
examination and judgment which keeps us from choosing or doing the worse, be liberty, true liberty, madmen and
fools are the only freemen: but yet, I think, nobody would choose to be mad for the sake of such liberty, but he
that is mad already. The constant desire of happiness, and the constraint it puts upon us to act for it, nobody, I
think, accounts an abridgment of liberty, or at least an abridgment of liberty to be complained of. God Almighty
himself is under the necessity of being happy; and the more any intelligent being is so, the nearer is its approach
to infinite perfection and happiness. That, in this state of ignorance, we short-sighted creatures might not mistake
true felicity, we are endowed with a power to suspend any particular desire, and keep it from determining the will,
and engaging us in action. This is standing still, where we are not sufficiently assured of the way: examination is
consulting a guide. The determination of the will upon inquiry, is following the direction of that guide: and he that
has a power to act or not to act, according as such determination directs, is a free agent: such determination
abridges not that power wherein liberty consists. He that has his chains knocked off, and the prison doors set open
to him, is perfectly at liberty, because he may either go or stay, as he best likes; though his preference be
determined to stay, by the darkness of the night, or illness of the weather, or want of other lodging. He ceases not
to be free; though the desire of some convenience to be had there absolutely determines his preference, and makes
him stay in his prison.
