N06399:335
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 2 › Chapter 1 › Section 1
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.
Human Nature must be created with some Dispositions; a Disposition to relish some Things as good and amiable, and to be averse to other Things as odious & disagreeable. Otherwise, it must be without any such Thing as Inclination or Will: It must be perfectly indifferent, without Preference, without Choice or Aversion towards any Thing, as agreeable or disagreeable. But if it had any concreated Dispositions at all, they must be either right or wrong, either agreeable or disagreeable to the Nature of Things. If Man had at first the highest Relish of those Things that were most excellent and beautiful, a Disposition to have the quickest and highest Delight in those Things that were most worthy of it, then his Dispositions were morally right and amiable, and never can be decent and excellent in a higher Sense. But if he had a Disposition to love most those things that were inferior and less worthy, then his Dispositions were vicious. And 'tis evident there can be no Medium between these.
Human Nature must be created with some Dispositions; a Disposition to relish some Things as good and amiable, and to be averse to other Things as odious & disagreable. Otherwise, it must be without any such Thing as Inclination or Will: It must be perfectly indifferent, without Preference, without Choice or Aversion towards any Thing, as agreable or disagreable. But if it had any concreated Dispositions at all, they must be either right or wrong, either agreable or disagreable to the Nature of Things. If Man had at first the highest Relish of those Things that were most excellent and beautiful, a Disposition to have the quickest and highest Delight in those Things that were most worthy of it, then his Dispositions were morally right and amiable, and never can be decent and excellent in a higher Sense. But if he had a Disposition to love most those things that were inferiour and less worthy, then his Dispositions were vicious. And 'tis evident there can be no Medium between these.
II. This Notion of Adam's being created without a Principle of Holiness in his Heart, taken with the rest of Dr. T—r's Scheme, is inconsistent with what the History in the Beginning of Genesis leads us to suppose of the great Favours and Smiles of Heaven, which Adam enjoyed, while he remained in Innocency. The Mosaic Account suggests to us, that till Adam sinned, he was in happy Circumstances, surrounded with Testimonies and Fruits of God's Favour. This is implicitly owned by Dr. T. when