N06399:296
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 2
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.
2. If Death be brought on Mankind only as a Benefit, and in that Manner which Dr. T. mentions, viz. to mortify, or moderate their carnal Appetites & Affections, wean 'em from the World, excite 'em to sober Reflections, and lead 'em to the Fear and Obedience of God, &c.—is it not strange, that it should fall so heavy on Infants, who are not capable of making any such Improvement of it; so that many more of Mankind suffer Death in Infancy, than in any other equal Part of the Age of Man? Our Author sometimes hints, that the Death of Infants may be for the good of Parents, and those that are adult, and may be for the Correction and Punishment of the Sins of Parents: But hath God any Need of such Methods to add to Parents Afflictions? Are there not Ways enough that he might increase their Trouble, without destroying the Lives of such Multitudes of those that are perfectly innocent, and have in no respect any Sin belonging to 'em; on whom Death comes, at an Age, when not only the Subjects are not capable of any Reflection, or making any Improvement of it, either in the Suffering, or Expectation of it; but also at an Age, when Parents and Friends, who alone can make a good Improvement, & whom Dr.T. supposes alone to be punished by it, suffer least by being bereaved of them; tho' the Infants themselves sometimes suffer to great Extremity?
3. To suppose, as Dr. T. does, that Death is brought on Mankind in Consequence of Adam's Sin, not at all as a Calamity, but only as a Favour and Benefit, is contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel; which teaches, that when Christ, as the second Adam, comes to remove and destroy that Death, which came by the first Adam, he finds it not as a Friend, but an Enemy. 1 Cor. xv. 22. "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive:" with v. 25.&26. For he must reign, till he hath put all Enemies under his Feet. The last ENEMY that shall be d•stoyed, is Death.