Full Idea
That the first motion, or the first effect, whatever it be, cannot be produced necessarily, and, consequently, that the First Cause must be a free agent, has been demonstrated clearly and unanswerably.
Gist of Idea
The first motion or effect cannot be produced necessarily, so the First Cause must be a free agent
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 4: Liberty of Agents [1788], 8)
Book Reference
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.351
A Reaction
He has said that the First Cause can only be conceived by us as an 'agent'. If there is an agential First Cause, then he must be right. It is this need for God to be free which makes scepticism about free will unacceptable to many.