N06399:593
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 3 › Chapter 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.
IV. It will follow on our Author's Principles, not only with Respect to Infants, but even adult Persons, that Redemption is needless, and Christ is dead in vain. Not only is there no Need of Christ's Redemption in Order to Deliverance from any Consequences of Adam's Sin, but also in Order to perfect Freedom from personal Sin, and all it's evil Consequences. For God has made other sufficient Provision for that, viz. a sufficient Power and Ability, in all Mankind, to do all their Duty, and wholly to avoid Sin. Yea, this Author insists upon it, that when Men have not sufficient Power to do their Duty, they have ⟨p. 294⟩no Duty to do.* We may Safely & assuredly conclude (says he) that Mankind in all Parts of the World have SUFFICIENT Power to do the Duty, which God requires of them; and that he requires of 'em NO MORE than they have SUFFICIENT Power to do. And in another Place,† God has given Powers EQUAL to the Duty, which he expects. And he express a great Dislike at R. R's supposing, that our Propensities to Evil, and Temptations, are too strong to be EFFECTUALLY and CONSTANTLY resisted;—or that we are unavoidably sinful IN A DEGREE, that our Appetites and Passions will be breaking out, notwithstanding our everlasting Watchfulness. ‖These Things fully imply, that Men have in their own natural Ability sufficient Means to avoid Sin, and to be perfectly free from it; and so, from all the bad Consequences of it. And if the Means are sufficient, then there is no Need of more. And therefore there is no Need of Christ's dying in Order to it. What Dr. T. says in P. 348. fully implies, that it would be unjust in God, to give Mankind Being in such Circumstances, as that they would be more likely to sin, so as to be exposed to final Misery, than otherwise. Hence then, without Christ and his Redemption, and without any Grace at all, MERE JUSTICE makes sufficient Provision for our being free from Sin and Misery, by our own Power.
IV. It will follow on our Author's Principles, not only with Respect to Infants, but even adult Persons, that Redemption is needless, and Christ is dead in vain. Not only is there no Need of Christ's Redemption in Order to Deliverance from any Consequences of Adam's Sin, but also in Order to perfect Freedom from personal Sin, and all it's evil Consequences. For God has made other sufficient Provision for that, viz. a sufficient Power and Ability, in all Mankind, to do all their Duty, and wholly to avoid Sin. Yea, this Author insists upon it, that when Men have not sufficient Power to do their Duty, they have