N06399:299
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.
Tho' I think the Thing asserted far from being true, viz. that the Scripture represents the Afflictions of Mankind in general, and particularly their common Mortality, as the Chastisements of an heavenly Father; yet 'tis needless to stand to dispute that Matter: For if it be so, it will be no Argument that the Afflictions and Death of Mankind are not Evidences of their Sinfulness. Those would be strange Chastisements from the Hand of a wise and good Father, which are wholly for Nothing; especially such severe Chastisements, as to break the Child's Bones; when at the same Time the Father don't suppose any Guilt, Fault or Offence, in any respect, belonging to the Child; but it is chastised in this terrible Manner, only for fear that it will be faulty hereafter. I say, these would be a strange Sort of Chastisements; yea, tho' he should be able to make it up to the Child afterwards. Dr. T. tells of Representations made by the whole Current of Scripture: I am certain, it is not agreeable to the Current of Scripture, to represent divine fatherly Chastisements after this Manner. 'Tis true, that the Scripture supposes such Chastenings to be the Fruit of God's Goodness; yet at the same Time it evermore represents them as being for ⟨p. 130⟩the Sin of the Subject, and as Evidences of the divine Displeasure for it's Sinfulness. Thus the Apostle in 1 Cor. xi. 30, 31, 32. speaks of God's chastening his People by mortal Sickness, for their Good, that they might not be condemned with the World, and yet signifies that it was for their Sin; FOR THIS CAUSE many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep: that is, for the Profaneness and sinful Disorder before-mentioned. So Eli•u Job xxxiii. 16. &c. speaks of the same Chastening by Sickness, as for Men's Good; to withdraw Man from his sinful Purpose, and to hide Pride from Man, and keep back his Soul from the Pit; that therefore God chastens Man with Pain on his Bed, and the Multitude of his Bones with strong Pain. But these Chastenings are for his Sins, as appears by what follows, v 28. Where 't•s observed, that when God by this Means has brought Men to repent, and humbly confess their Sins, he delivers them. Again, the same Eli•u, speaking of the unfailing Love of God to the Righteous, even when he chastens them, and they are bound in Fetters, and olden in Cords of Affliction, Chap. xxxvi.