The great Christian doctrine of original sin defended

But if we consider how Men generally conduct themselves in things on which their Well-being does infinitely more depend, how vast is the Diversity? In these things, how cold, lifeless and dilatory? With what Difficulty are a Few of Multitudes excited to any tolerable Degree of Care and Diligence, by the innumerable Means used with Men to make 'em wise for themselves? And when some Vigilance and Activity is excited, how apt is it to die away, like a mere Force against a natural Tendency? What Need of a constant Repetition of Admonitions and ⟨p. 59⟩Counsels, to keep the Heart from failing asleep? How many Objections are made? And how are Difficulties magnified? And how soon is the Mind discouraged? How many Arguments, and often renewed, and variously and elaborately enforced, do Men stand in Need of, to convince 'em of things that are self-evident? As that things which are eternal, are infinitely more important than things temporal, & the like. And after all, how very few convinced effectually, or in such a Manner as to induce to a practical Preference of eternal Things? How senseless are Men of the Necessity of improving their Time to provide for Futurity, as to their spiritual Interest, and their Welfare in another World? Tho' it be an endless Futurity, and tho' it be their own personal, infinitely important Good, after they are dead, that is to be cared for, and not the Good of their Children, which they shall have no Share in.—Tho' Men are so sensible of the Uncertainty of their Neighbours Lives, when any considerable Part of their Estates depends on the Continuance of them; how stupidly senseless do they seem to be of the Uncertainty of their own Lives, when their Preservation from immensely great, remediless and endless Misery, is risqu•d by a present Delay, through' a Dependence on future Opportunity? What a dreadful Venture will Men carelessly and boldly run, and repeat and multiply, with Regard to their eternal Salvation, who are very careful to have every Thing in a Deed or Bond firm, and without a Flaw? How negligent are they of their special Advantages and Opportunities for their Soul's Good? How hardly awakened by the most evident and imminent Dangers, threatening eternal Destruction, yea, tho' put in Mind of 'em, and much Pains taken to point them forth▪ show them plainly, and fully to represent them, if possible to engage their Attention to 'em?

But if we consider how Men generally conduct themselves in things on which their Well-being does infinitely more depend, how vast is the Diversity? In these things, how cold, lifeless and dilatory? With what Difficulty are a Few of Multitudes excited to any tolerable Degree of Care and Diligence, by the innumerable Means used with Men to make 'em wise for themselves? And when some Vigilance and Activity is excited, how apt is it to die away, like a meer Force against a natural Tendency? What Need of a constant Repetition of Admonitions and