N06399:303
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.
Especially may Death be looked upon as the most extreme of all temporal Sufferings, when attended with such dreadful Circumstances, and extreme Pains, as those with which Providence sometimes brings it on Infants; as on the Children that were offered up to Moloch, and some other Idols, who were tormented to Death in burning Brass. Dr. T. says, P. 359, & 404. The Lord of all Being can never want Time and Place and Power to compensate abundantly any Sufferings Infants now undergo in Subserviency to his good Providence. But there are no Bounds to such a License, in evading Evidences from Fact. It might as well be said, that there is not and cannot be any such thing as Evidence, from Events, of God's Displeasure; which is most contrary to the whole Current of Scripture, as may appear in Part from Things which have been observed. This Gentleman might as well go further still, and say, that God may cast guiltless Persons into Hell-Fire, to remain there in the most unutterable Torments for Ages of Ages (which bear no greater Proportion to Eternity than a Quarter of an Hour) and if he does so, it is no Evidence of God's Displeasure; because he can never want Time, Place and Power, abundantly to compensate their Sufferings afterwards. If it be so, it is not to the Purpose, as long as the Scripture does so abundantly teach us to look on great Calamities & Sufferings which God brings on Men, especially Death, as Marks of his Displeasure for Sin, and for Sin belonging to them that suffer.
Especially may Death be look'd upon as the most extreme of all temporal Sufferings, when attended with such dreadful Circumstances, and extreme Pains, as those with which Providence sometimes brings it on Infants; as on the Children that were offered up to Moloch, and some other Idols, who were tormented to Death in burning Brass. Dr. T. says, P. 359, & 404. The Lord of all Being can never want Time and Place and Power to compensate abundantly any Sufferings Infants now undergo in Subserviency to his good Providence. But there are no Bounds to such a License, in evading Evidences from Fact. It might as well be said, that there is not and cannot be any such thing as Evidence, from Events, of God's Displeasure; which is most contrary to the whole Current of Scripture, as may appear in Part from Things which have been observed. This Gentleman might as well go further still, and say, that God may cast guiltless Persons into Hell-Fire, to remain there in the most unutterable Torments for Ages of Ages (which bear no greater Proportion to Eternity than a Quarter of an Hour) and if he does so, it is no Evidence of God's Displeasure; because he can never want Time, Place and Power, abundantly to compensate their Sufferings afterwards. If it be so, it is not to the Purpose, as long as the Scripture does so abundantly teach us to look on great Calamities & Sufferings which God brings on Men, especially Death, as Marks of his Displeasure for Sin, and for Sin belonging to them that suffer.