N06399:192
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 7
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.
Thus it appears, that Wickedness was the generally prevailing Character in all the Nations of Mankind, till Christ came. And so also it appears to have been since his Coming, to this Day. So in the Age of the Apostles: tho' then, among those that were converted to Christianity, were great Numbers of Persons eminent for Piety; yet this was not the Case with the greater Part of the World, or the greater Part of any one Nation in it. There was a great Number of Persons of a truly pious Character in the latter Part of the apostolic Age, when Multitudes of Converts had been made, and Christianity was as yet in it's primitive Purity. But what says the Apostle John of the Church of God at that Time, as compared with the Rest of the World? 1 Joh. v. 19. We know that we are of God, an the whole World lieth in Wickedness. And after Christianity came to prevail, to that Degree, that Christians had the upper Hand in Nations and civil Communities, still the greater Part of Mankind remained in their old Heathen State; which Dr. T. speaks of as a State of great Ignorance and Wickedness. And besides, this is noted in all Ecclesiastical History, that as the Christians gained in Power and secular Advantages, true Piety declined, and Corruption and Wickedness prevailed among them.—And as to the State of the Christian World, since Christianity began to be established by human Laws, Wickedness for the most Part has greatly prevailed; as is very notorious, and is implied in what Dr. T. himself says: He, in giving an Account how the Doctrine of Original Sin came to prevail among Christians, says, P. 443. That the Christian Religion was very early and ⟨p. 74⟩grievously corrupted, by dreaming, ignorant, superstitious Monks. In P. 259. he says, The Generality of Christians have embraced this Persuasion concerning Original Sin; and the Consequence has been, that the Generality of Christians have been the most wicked, lewd, bloody and treacherous of all Mankind.
Thus it appears, that Wickedness was the generally prevailing Character in all the Nations of Mankind, till Christ came. And so also it appears to have been since his Coming, to this Day. So in the Age of the Apostles: tho' then, among those that were converted to Christianity, were great Numbers of Persons eminent for Piety; yet this was not the Case with the greater Part of the World, or the greater Part of any one Nation in it. There was a great Number of Persons of a truly pious Character in the latter Part of the apostolik Age, when Multitudes of Converts had been made, and Christianity was as yet in it's primitive Purity. But what says the Apostle John of the Church of God at that Time, as compared with the Rest of the World?