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FINNEY'S LECTURES

ON

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY.

MORAL GOVERNMENT.

LECTURE I.

I. DEFINITION of Law.

II. DISTINCTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND MORAL LAW. III. ATTRIBUTES OF MORAL LAW.

I. In discussing the subject, I must begin with defining the term LAW.

Law, in a sense of the term both sufficiently popular and scientific for my purpose, is A RULE OF ACTION. In its generic signification, it is applicable to every kind of action, whether of matter or of mind-whether intelligent or unintelligent-whether free or necessary action.

II. I must distinguish between Physical and Moral Law. Physical law is a term that represents the order of sequence, in all the changes that occur under the law of necessity, whether in matter or mind. I mean all changes, whether of state or action, that do not consist in the voluntary states or actions of free will. Physical law is the law of force, or necessity, as opposed to the law of liberty. Physical law is the law of the material universe. It is also the law of mind, so far as its states and changes are involuntary. All changes of mental state or action, which do not consist in free and sovereign changes or actions of will, must occur under, and be subject to Physical Law. They cannot possibly be accounted

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