N06399:250
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 9
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.
The general continued Wickedness of Mankind, against such Means and Motives, proves each of these Things, viz. that the Cause is fixed, and that the fixed Cause is internal, in Man's Nature, and also that it is very powerful. It proves the first, namely, that the Cause is fixed, because the Effect is so abiding, through' so many Changes. It proves the second, that is, that the fixed Cause is internal, because the Circumstances are so various: The Variety of Means and Motives is one Thing that is to be referred to the Head of Variety of Circumstances; and they are that Kind of Circumstances, which above all others proves this; for they are such Circumstances as can't possibly cause the Effect, being most opposite to the Effect in their Tendency. And it proves the third, viz. the Greatness of the internal Cause, or the Powerfulness of the Propensity; because the Means which have opposed it's Influence, have been so great, and yet have been s•a•edly overcome.
The general continued Wickedness of Mankind, against such Means and Motives, proves each of these Things, viz. that the Cause is fix'd, and that the fix'd Cause is internal, in Man's Nature, and also that it is very powerful. It proves the first, namely, that the Cause is fix'd, because the Effect is so abiding, thro' so many Changes. It proves the second, that is, that the fix'd Cause is internal, because the Circumstances are so various: The Variety of Means and Motives is one Thing that is to be refer'd to the Head of Variety of Circumstances; and they are that Kind of Circumstances, which above all others proves this; for they are such Circumstances as can't possibly cause the Effect, being most opposite to the Effect in their Tendency. And it proves the third, viz. the Greatness of the internal Cause, or the Powerfulness of the Propensity; because the Means which have opposed it's Influence, have been so great, and yet have been s•a•edly overcome.
But here I may observe by the Way, that with regard to the Motives and Obligations which our first Father sinned against, it is not reasonably alleged, that he sinned when he knew his Sin would have destructive Consequences to all his Posterity, and might, in Process of Time, pave the whole Globe with Skulls, &c. Seeing 'tis so evident, by the plain Account the Scripture gives us of the Temptation which prevailed with our first Parents to commit that Sin, that it was so contrived by the Subtlety of the Tempter, as first to blind and deceive 'em as to that Matter, and to make them believe that their Disobedience should be followed with no Destruction or Calamity at all to themselves (and therefore not to their Posterity)