N06399:156
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 6
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.
In Order to the most just arguing from Fact, concerning the Tendency of Man's Nature, as that is in it self, it should be enquired what the Event has been, where Nature has been left to it self, to operate according to it's own Tendency, with least Opposition made to it by any thing supernatural; rather than in exempt Places, where the infinite Power and Grace of God have interposed, and extraordinary Means have been used to stem the Current, and bring Men to true Religion and Virtue. As to the Means by which God's People of old, in the Line of Abraham, were delivered and preserved from Idolatry, they were miraculous, and of mere Grace: Notwithstanding which, they were often relapsing into the Notions and Ways of the Heathen: and when they had backslidden, never were recovered, but by divine gracious Interposition. And as to the Means by which many Gentile Nations have been delivered, since the Days of the Gospel, they are such as have been wholly owing to most wonderful, miraculous and infinite Grace. God was under no Obligation to bestow on the heathen World greater Advantages than they had in the Ages of their gross Darkness; as appears by the Fact, that God actually did not, for so long a Time, bestow greater Advantages.
In Order to the most just arguing from Fact, concerning the Tendency of Man's Nature, as that is in it self, it should be enquired what the Event has been, where Nature has been left to it self, to operate according to it's own Tendency, with least Opposition made to it by any thing supernatural; rather than in exempt Places, where the infinite Power and Grace of God have interposed, and extraordinary Means have been used to stem the Current, and bring Men to true Religion and Virtue. As to the Means by which God's People of old, in the Line of Abraham, were delivered and preserved from Idolatry, they were miraculous, and of meer Grace: Notwithstanding which, they were often relapsing into the Notions and Ways of the Heathen: and when they had backslidden, never were recovered, but by divine gracious Interposition. And as to the Means by which many Gentile Nations have been delivered, since the Days of the Gospel, they are such as have been wholly owing to most wonderful, miraculous and infinite Grace. God was under no Obligation to bestow on the heathen World greater Advantages than they had in the Ages of their gross Darkness; as appears by the Fact, that God actually did not, for so long a Time, bestow greater Advantages.