N06399:39
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
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.
The Author's PREFACE.
THE following Discourse is intended, not merely as an Answer to any particular Book written against the Doctrine of original Sin, but as a general Defence of that great important Doctrine. Nevertheless, I have in this Defence taken Notice of the main Things said against this Doctrine, by such of the more noted Opposers of it, as I have had Opportunity to read; particularly those two late Writers, Dr. TURNBULL, and Dr. TAYLOR of Norwich; but especially the latter, in what he has published in those two Books of his, the first entitled, The Scripture-Doctrine of Original Sin proposed to free & candid Examination; The other, his Key to the Apostolic Writings, with a Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistle to the Romans. According to my Observation, no one Book has done so much towards rooting out of these Western Parts of New-England, the Principles and Scheme of Religion maintained by our pious and excellent Fore-fathers, the Divines and Christians who first settled this Country, and alienating the Minds of many from what I think are evidently some of the main Doctrines of the Gospel, as that which Dr. TAYLOR has published against the Doctrine of Original Sin. This Book has now for many Years been spread abroad in the Land, without any Answer to it, as an Antidote; and so has gone on to prevail with little Control. I have indeed heard, that an Answer ⟨p. xii⟩to it has been published by Dr. JENNINGS of London: but never saw it, nor heard of its being in these American Parts: So that, however sufficient it may be, it has been of no Service to that Purpose here. And in as much as about fifteen Years (if I mistake not) have elapsed, since Dr. TAYLOR'S Piece has been in the Hands of some, there is manifest Need of some other Antidote, for the sake of such as dwell in this Part of the World. The providing one is what I have attempted in the following Work; wherein I have closely attended to that Piece, in all it's Parts, and have endeavoured that no one Thing there said, of any Consequence in this Controversy, should pass unnoticed, or that any Thing which has the Appearance of an Argument, in Opposition to this Doctrine, should be left unanswered. I look on the Doctrine as of great Importance; which every Body will doubtless own it is, if it be true.