N06399:146
The great Christian doctrine of original sin defended
The great Christian doctrine of original sin defended; evidences of it's [sic] truth produced, and arguments to the contrary answered. Containing, in particular, a reply to the objections and arguings of Dr. John Taylor, in his book, entitled, "The Scripture-doctrine of original sin proposed to free and candid examination, &c. / By the late Reverend and learned Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey. ; [Thirteen lines of quotations]The great Christian doctrine of original sin defended; evidences of it's [sic] truth produced, and arguments to the contrary answered. Containing, in particular, a reply to the objections and arguings of Dr. John Taylor, in his book, intitled, "The Scripture-doctrine of original sin proposed to free and candid examination, &c. / By the late Reverend and learned Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey. ; [Thirteen lines of quotations]
printed by S. Kneeland, 1758
The great Christian Doctrine of ORIGINAL SIN defended. › Part 1 › Chapter 1 › Section 5
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Before I finish this Section, it may be proper to say something in Reply to an Objection,—some may be ready to make against the Force of that Argument, which has been used to prove, that Men in general have more Sin than Righteousness, namely, That they don't come half way to that Degree of Love to God, which becomes them, and is their Duty.
The Objection is this: That the Argument seems to prove too much, in that it will prove, that even good Men themselves have more Sin than Holiness; which also has been supposed. But if this were true, it would follow, that Sin is the prevalent Principle even in good Men, and that it is the Principle which has the Predominancy in the Heart and Practice of the truly pious; which is plainly contrary to the Word of God.
I answer; If it be indeed so, that there is more Sin, consisting in Defect of required Holiness, than there is of Holiness in good Men in this World; yet it will not follow, that Sin has the chief Government of their Heart and Practice; for two Reasons.
1. They may love God more than other Things, and yet there may not be so much Love, as there is Want of due Love; or in other Words, they may love God more