N06399:166
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.
Whereas, on the other Side, the sober Man ventures Nothing, against infinite Happiness to be got, if his Expectation comes to pass.
That Disposition of Mind which is a Propensity to act contrary to Reason, is a depraved Disposition. 'Tis not because the Faculty of Reason, which God has given to Mankind, is not sufficient fully to discover to 'em that forty, sixty, or an hundred Years, is as Nothing in Comparison ⟨p. 57⟩of Eternity, infinitely less than a second of Time to an hundred Years, that the greatest worldly Prosperity and Pleasure is not treated with most perfect Disregard, in all Cases where there is any Degree of Competition of earthly Things, with Salvation from exquisite eternal Misery, and the Enjoyment of everlasting Glory and Felicity; as certainly it would be, if Men acted according to Reason. But is it a Matter of Doubt or Controversy, whether Men in general don't show a strong Disposition to act far otherwise, from their Infancy, 'till Death is in a sensible Approach? In things that concern Men's temporal Interest, they easily discern the Difference between Things of a long and short Continuance. 'Tis no hard Matter to convince Men of the Difference between a being admitted to the Accommodations, and Entertainments of a convenient, beautiful, well-furnished Habitation, and to partake of the Provisions and Produce of a plentiful Estate, for a Day, or a Night; and having all given to them, and settled upon them, as their own, to possess as long as they live, and to be their's, and their Heirs for ever: There would be no Need of Men's preaching Sermons, and spending their Strength and Life, to convince Men of the Difference. Men know how to adjust Things in their Dealings and Contracts one with another, according to the Length of Time in which any thing agreed for is to be used or enjoyed. In temporal Affairs, Men are sensible that it concerns 'em to provide for future Time, as well as for the present. Thus common Prudence teaches 'em to take Care in Summer to lay up for Winter; yea, to provide a Fund, and get a solid Estate, whence they may be supplied for a long Time to come. And not only so, but they are willing and forward to spend and be spent, to provide that which will stand their Children in Stead, after they are dead; tho' it be quite uncertain, who shall use and enjoy what they lay up, after they have left the World;