N06399:488
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 3
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.
Dr. T. here again insists, that the Apostle speaks only of the Gentiles in their heathen State, when he speaks of those that were dead in Sin, and by Nature Children of Wrath; and that tho' he seems to include himself among these, saying, WE were by Nature Children of Wrath, WE were dead in Sins, yet he only puts himself among them because he was the Apostle of the Gentiles. The gross Absurdity of which may appear from what was said before. But besides the things which have been already observed, there are some things which make it peculiarly unreasonable to understand it so here. 'Tis true, the greater Part of the Church of Ephesus had been Heathens, and therefore the Apostle often has Reference to their heathen State, in this Epistle. But the Words in this Chap. ii. 3. plainly show, that he means himself and other Jews, in Distinction from the Gentiles: for the Distinction is fully expressed. After he had told the Ephesians, who had been generally Heathen, that they had been dead in Sin, and had walked according to the Course of this World, &c. v. 1, and 2. he makes a Distinction, and says, Among whom WE ALSO had our Conversation, &c. and were by Nature Children of Wrath. EVEN AS OTHERS. Here first he changes the Person; whereas, before he had spoken in the second Person, YE were dead,—YE in time past walked, &c. Now he changes Stile, and uses the ⟨p. 235⟩first Person, in a most manifest Distinction, Among whom WE ALSO, that is, we Jews, as well as ye Gentiles. Not only changing the Person, but adding a Particle of Distinction, Also; which would be Nonsense, if he meant the same without Distinction. And besides all this, more fully to express the Distinction, the Apostle further adds a Pronoun of Distinction; WE also, even as OTHERS, or, we as well as others: most evidently having respect to the Notions, so generally entertained by the Jews, of their being much better than the Gentiles, in being Jews by Nature, Children of Abraham, and Children of God; when they supposed the Gentiles to be utterly cast off, as born Aliens, and by Nature Children of Wrath.
Dr. T. here again insists, that the Apostle speaks only of the Gentiles in their heathen State, when he speaks of those that were dead in Sin, and by Nature Children of Wrath; and that tho' he seems to include himself among these, saying, WE were by Nature Children of Wrath, WE were dead in Sins, yet he only puts himself among them because he was the Apostle of the Gentiles. The gross Absurdity of which may appear from what was said before. But besides the things which have been already observed, there are some things which make it peculiarly unreasonable to understand it so here. 'Tis true, the greater Part of the Church of Ephesus had been Heathens, and therefore the Apostle often has Reference to their heathen State, in this Epistle. But the Words in this Chap. ii. 3. plainly shew, that he means himself and other Jews, in Distinction from the Gentiles: for the Distinction is fully express'd. After he had told the Ephesians, who had been generally Heathen, that they had been dead in Sin, and had walk'd according to the Course of this World, &c. v. 1, and 2. he makes a Distinction, and says, Among whom WE ALSO had our Conversation, &c. and were by Nature Children of Wrath. EVEN AS OTHERS. Here first he changes the Person; whereas, before he had spoken in the second Person, YE were dead,—YE in time past walked, &c. Now he changes Stile, and uses the