I had the honour of your kind letter yesterday, and must own that I do
now see a _difference_ between the nature of _that disposition which we
have to be influenced by virtuous motives_, and _that contrary
disposition_, (or whatever else it may _properly_ be called,) which is
the _occasion_ of our committing _sin_; and hope in time to get a
thorough insight into this Subject by means of those helps you have been
pleased to afford me. I find it necessary to consider such very abstruse
questions at different times and in different dispositions; and have
found particular use of this method upon that abstract subject of
_Necessity_: for tho' I did not see the force of your argument for the
_unity of the Divine Nature_ when I had done writing to you upon that
subject, I am now _fully satisfied_ that it is conclusive. I will only
just add that I suppose somewhat in my last letter was not clearly
expressed, for I did not at all _design_ to say, that _the essence of any
crime consisted in the man's having a natural disposition to be
influenced by wrong motives_.
I was fully resolved to have gone to Cambridge some time in this Term,
not in the least expecting but that I might have the Terms allowed there
which I have kept here, but I am informed by one who has been there that
it is not at all to be depended upon; but that it's more likely to be
refused than granted me. My design was this; when I had taken the Degree
of Batchelor of Arts at Cambridge, (which I would have done to have the
Priviledge of that Gown,) to take that of Batchelor of Law a year
afterwards, but if I cannot have the Terms I have kept for Batchelor of
Arts allowed there, it will be highly proper for me to stay at Oxford to
take that degree here, before I go to Cambridge to take Batchelor of Law.
I will inquire concerning the truth of what the gentleman told me, and if
I find he is mistaken and that I can take the degree of Batchelor of Arts
at Cambridge next June, which is the time I shall be standing for it, and
Batchelor of Law a year after that; I will make bold to accept of your
kind offer to write to Mr. Laughton, and will acquaint you with it as
soon as I am satisfied, otherwise I will give you no further trouble in
the matter; and indeed I am sorry I should have given you any already
upon it, but I thought I had sufficient reason to be satisfied, and had
not the least suspicion in the world that there was any uncertainty about
getting the Terms allowed, so I hope you will excuse it.