N06399:216
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 8
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.
And besides all these things, from about Cyrus's Time, Learning and Philosophy increased, and was carried to a great Height. God raised up a Number of Men of prodigious Genius, to instruct others, and improve their Reason and Understanding, in the Nature of Things: And philosophic Knowledge having gone on to increase for several Ages, seemed to be got to it's Height before Christ came, or about that Time.
And besides all these things, from about Cyrus's Time, Learning and Philosophy increased, and was carried to a great Height. God raised up a Number of Men of prodigious Genius, to instruct others, and improve their Reason and Understanding, in the Nature of Things: And philosophic Knowledge having gone on to increase for several Ages, seem'd to be got to it's Height before Christ came, or about that Time.
And now let it be considered what was the Effect of all these Things.—In Stead of a Reformation, or any Appearance or Prospect of it, the Heathen World in general rather grew worse. As Dr.Winder observes, The inveterate Absurdities of Pagan Idolatry continued without Remedy, and increased as Arts and Learning increased; and Paganism prevailed in all it's Height of Absurdity, when Pagan Nations were polished to the Height, and in the most polite Cities and Countries; and thus continued to the last Breath of Pagan Power. And so it was with respect to Wickedness in general, as well as idolatry; as appears by what the Apostle Paul observes in Rom. i.—Dr. T. speaking of the Time when the Gospel-Scheme was introduced (Key, § 257.) says▪ The moral and religious State of the Heathen was very deplorable, being generally sunk into great Ignorance, gross Idolatry, & abominable Vice. Abominable Vices prevailed, not only among the common People, but even among their Philosophers themselves, yea, some of the chief of them, and of greatest Genius; so Dr. T. himself observes, as to that detestable Vice of Sodomy, which they commonly and openly allowed and practised without Shame. See Dr. T—r's Note on Rom. i. 27