N06399:444
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 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.
IF the Scriptures represent all Mankind as wicked in their first State, before they are made Partakers of the ⟨p. 210⟩Benefits of Christ's Redemption, then they are wicked by Nature: For doubtless Men's first State is their native State, or the State they come into the World in. But the Scriptures do thus represent all Mankind.
Before I mention particular Texts to this Purpose, I would observe, that it alters not the Case as to the Argument in Hand, whether we suppose these Texts speak directly of Infants, or only of such as are capable of some Understanding, so as to understand something of their own Duty and State. For if it be so with all Mankind, that as soon as ever they are capable of reflecting and knowing their own moral State, they find themselves wicked, this proves that they are wicked by Nature; either born wicked, o• ••rn with an infallible Disposition to be wicked as soon as possible, if there be any Difference between these; and either of 'em will prove Men to be born exceedingly depraved. I have before proved, that a native Propensity to Sin certainly follows from many things said in the Scripture, of Mankind; but what I intend now, is something more direct, to•prove by direct Scripture-Testimony, that all Mankind in their first State are really of a wicked Character.
To this Purpose is exceeding full, express & abundant that Passage of the Apostle, in Rom. iii. beginning with the 9th v. to the End of the 24th; which I shall set down at large, distinguishing the universal Terms which are here so often repeated, by a distinct Character. The Apostle having in the first Chap. v. 16, 17. laid down his Proposition, that none can be saved in any other Way than through' the Righteousness of God, by Faith in Jesus Christ, he proceeds to prove this Point, by showing particularly that all are in themselves Wicked, and without any Righteousness of their own. First, he insists on the Wickedness of the Gentiles, in the first Chapter; and next, on the Wickedness of the Jews, in the second Chapter. And then in this Place, he comes to sum up the Matter, and draw the Conclusion in the Words following: What then, are we better than they? No, in no wise; for we have before