N06399:237
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.
But how came the Gospel to be so universally and exceedingly misunderstood? Is it because it is in it self so very dark and unintelligible, and not adapted to the Apprehension of the human Faculties? If so, how is the Possession of such an obscure and unintelligible Thing, so unspeakable & glorious an Advantage?—Or is it because of the native Blindness, Corruption and Superstition of Mankind? But this is giving up the Thing in Question, and allowing a great Depravity of Nature.—And Dr. T. speaks of the Gospel as far otherwise than dark and ⟨p. 97⟩unintelligible; he represents it as exhibiting the clearest and most glorious Light, to deliver the World from Darkness, and bring 'em into marvellous Light. He speaks of the Light which the Jews had, under the Mosaic Dispensation, as vastly exceeding the Light of Nature, which the Heathen enjoyed: And yet he supposes, that even the latter was so clear, as to be sufficient to lead Men to the Knowledge of God, and their whole Duty to him. And he speaks of the Light of the Gospel as vastly exceeding the Light of the Old Testament. He says of the Apostle Paul in particular, That he wrote with great Perspicuity; that he takes great Care to explain every Part of his Subject; that he has left no Part of it unexplained and unguarded; and that never was an Author more exact and cautious in this. *—Is it not strange therefore, that the Christian World, without any native Depravity to prejudice and darken their Minds, should be so blind in the Midst of such glaring Light, as to be all, or the Generality, agreed, from Age to Age, so essentially to misunderstand that which is made so very plain?
- *Pref. •0 Par. on Rom.
Dr. T. says, P.443. 'Tis my Opinion, that the Christian Religion was very early and grievously corrupted, by dreaming, ignorant, superstitious Monks, too conceited to be satisfied with plain Gospel; and has long remained in that deplorable State.—But how came the whole Christian World, without any blinding Depravity, to hearken to these ignorant foolish Men, rather than unto wiser and better Teachers? Especially, when the latter had plain Gospel on their Side, & the Doctrines of the other were(as our Author supposes) so very contrary not only to the plain Gospel, but to Men's Reason and common Sense! Or were all the Teachers of the Christian Church nothing but a Parcel of ignorant Dreamers? If so, this is very strange indeed, unless Mankind naturally love Darkness, rather than Light,; seeing in all Parts of the Christian World, there was so great a Multitude of those in the Work of the Ministry, who had the Gospel