N06399:437
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 3 › 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.
Before I proceed, I would observe one Thing as a Corollary from what has been said.
Corol. If by Flesh and Spirit when spoken of in the New Testament, and opposed to each other, in Discourses on the necessary Qualifications for Salvation, we are to ⟨p. 207⟩understand what has been now supposed, it will not only follow, that Men by Nature are corrupt, but wholly corrupt, without any good Thing. If by Flesh is meant Man's Nature, as he receives it in his first Birth, then therein dwelleth no good Thing; as appears by Rom. vii. 18. 'Tis wholly opposite to God, and to Subjection to his Law, as appears by Rom. •iii. 7, 8. 'Tis directly contrary to true Holiness, and wholly opposes it, and Holiness is opposite to that; as appears by Gal. v. 17. So long as Men are in their natural State, they not only have no good Thing, but it is impossible they should have, or do any good Thing; as appears by Rom. viii. 8. There is nothing in their Nature, as they have it by the first Birth, whence should arise any true Subjection to Old; as appears by Rom. viii. 7. If there were any thing truly good in the Flesh, or in Man's Nature, or natural Disposition, under a moral View, then it should only be amended; but the Scripture represents as tho' we were to be Enemies to it, and were to seek nothing short of its entire Destruction, as has been observed. And elsewhere the Apostle directs not to the amending of the old Man, but putting it off, and putting on the new Man; and seeks not to have the Body of Death made better, but to be delivered from it; And says, That if any Man be in Christ, he is a new Creature (which doubtless means the same as a Man new-born) Old Things are (not amended) but passed away, and ALL Things are become new.