N06399:161
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.
Dr. T. often speaks of the Idolatry of the Heathen World, as great Wickedness, in which they were wholly inexcusable: and yet often speaks of their Case as remediless, as being dead in Sin, and unable to recover themselves. And if so, and yet, according to his own Doctrine▪ every Age, and every Nation, and every Man, had sufficient Light afforded, to know God, and to know and do their whole Duty to him; then their Inability to deliver themselves must be a moral Inability, consisting in a desperate Depravity, and most evil Disposition of Heart.
And if there had not been sufficient Trial of the Propensity of the Hearts of Mankind, through' all those Ages that passed from Abraham to Christ, the Trial has been continued down to this Day, in all those vast Regions of the Face of the Earth, that have remained without any Effects of the Light of the Gospel; and the dismal Effect continues every where unvaried. How was it with that Multitude of Nations inhabiting South & North America? What Appearance was there, when the Europeans first came hither, of their being recovered, or recovering, in any Degree from the grossest Ignorance, Delusions, and most stupid Paganism? And how is it at this Day, in those Parts of Africa and Asia, into which the Light of the Gospel has not penetrated?
And if there had not been sufficient Trial of the Propensity of the Hearts of Mankind, thro' all those Ages that pass'd from Abraham to Christ, the Trial has been continued down to this Day, in all those vast Regions of the Face of the Earth, that have remain'd without any Effects of the Light of the Gospel; and the dismal Effect continues every where unvaried. How was it with that Multitude of Nations inhabiting South & North America? What Appearance was there, when the Europeans first came hither, of their being recovered, or recovering, in any Degree from the grossest Ignorance, Delusions, and most stupid Paganism? And how is it at this Day, in those Parts of Africa and Asia, into which the Light of the Gospel has not penetrated?