N06399:273
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.
Evasion IV. Some modern Opposers of the Doctrine of Original Sin do thus account for the general Pr• valence of Wickedness, viz. that in a Course of Nature our Senses grow up first, and the animal Passions get the Start of Reason. So Dr. Turnbull says, *Sensitive Objects first affect us, and in as much as Reason is a Principle, which, in the Nature of Things, must be advanced to Strength and Vigour, by gradual Cultivation, and their Objects are continually assailing and soliciting us; so that, unless a very happy Education prevents, our sensitive Appetites must have become very Strong, before Reason can have Force enough to call them to an Account, and assume Authority over them. From hence Dr. Turnbull supposes it comes to pass, †That tho' some few may, through' the Influence of virtuous Example, be said to be sanctified from the Womb, so liberal, so generous, so virtuous, so truly noble is their Cast of Mind; yet, generally speaking, the whole World lieth in such Wickedness, that, with respect to the far greater Part of Mankind, the Study of Virtue is beginning to reform, and is a severe Struggle against bad Habits, early contracted, and deeply rooted; it is therefore putting off an old inveterate corrupt Nature, and putting on a new Form and Temper; it is moulding our selves a-new; it is a being born again, and becoming as Children.—And how few are there in the World, who escape it's Pollutions, so as not to be early in that Class, or to be among the Righteous that need no Repentance?
Evasion IV. Some modern Opposers of the Doctrine of Original Sin do thus account for the general Pr• valence of Wickedness, viz. that in a Course of Nature our Senses grow up first, and the animal Passions get the Start of Reason. So Dr. Turnbull says, *Sensitive Objects first affect us, and in as much as Reason is a Principle, which, in the Nature of Things, must be advanced to Strength and Vigour, by gradual Cultivation, and their Objects are continually assailing and soliciting us; so that, unless a very happy Education prevents, our sensitive Appetites must have become very Strong, before Reason can have Force enough to call them to an Account, and assume Authority over them. From hence Dr. Turnbull supposes it comes to pass,