188 Philosophy of the Himan Mind. [Chap. .XII, 



every successive state throughout the whole course 

 of its existence *. 



This system, for many years after its pubhca- 

 tion, excited uncommon attention, and obtained 

 great currency, especially in the native country of 

 the author. It Avas early espoused by Christian 

 Wolfe f , a celebrated philosopher, also of Ger- 

 many, a very voluminous commentator on the 

 writings of his master, and a zealous defender of 

 his doctrines. On the foundation of these doc- 

 trines he formed a new system of cosmology and 

 pneumatology, digested and demonstrated in a 

 mathematical method. The principles of Leib- 

 nitz had also some advocates, either in wliole or 

 in part, in other parts of the continent of Europe, 

 and in Great Britain, for a considerable time. But 

 at the close of the eighteenth century their repu- 



* Reid's Intellectual Vou-ers of Many Essay ii. 



t Christian Wolfe, a native of Breslau, in Germany, was born 

 in the year 1679. He was a follower of Leibnitz, and wrote 

 largely in defence of his philosophical opinions. At the age of 

 26 Wolfe had acquired so much reputation as to be appointed 

 professor of mathematics in the university of Halle, and soon 

 afterwards professor of philosophy in general in the same institu- 

 tion. His famous work, entitled Tkouglits on God, the World, 

 and the Human Soul, in which his metaphysical doctrines are deli- 

 vered, was published in 1719. Accused of heresy, on account 

 of his holding the doctrine of necessity, and some other obnoxious 

 opinions, he was banished from the Prussian dominions in 1723. 

 For a number of years after this event Germany was filled witli 

 disputes concerning his opinions, and the treatment which he had 

 received -, and the names of IVolJians and Antiwolfians were txery 

 where heard. In 1732, the current of public opinion turning in 

 bis favour, he was recalled from his exile, and appointed vice- 

 chancellor of the university of Halle. In 1745 he was raised to 

 the office of chancellor of the university, and created a barou^ by 

 the elector of Bavaria.— He died in 1754. 



