N06399:60
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 1 › Chapter 1 › 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.
I shall in the first Place consider this Doctrine more especially with regard to the Corruption of Nature: and as we treat of this, the other will naturally come into Consideration, in the Prosecution of the Discourse, as connected with it.
As all moral Qualities, all Principles either of Virtue or Vice lie in the Disposition of the Heart, I shall consider whether we have any Evidence, that the Heart of Man is naturally of a corrupt and evil Disposition. This is strenuously denied by many late Writers, who are Enemies to the Doctrine of original Sin; and particularly by Dr. Taylor.
The Way we come by the Idea of any such Thing as Disposition or Tendency, is by observing what is constant or general in Event; especially under a great Variety of Circumstances; and above all, when the Effect or Event continues the same through' great and various Opposition, much and manifold Force and Means used to the contrary not prevailing to hinder the Effect.—I don't know that such a Prevalence of Effects is denied to be an Evidence of prevailing Tendency in Causes and Agents; or that it is expressly denied by the Opposers of the Doctrine of original Sin, that if, in the Course of Events, it universally or generally proves that Mankind are actually corrupt, this would be an Evidence of a prior corrupt Propensity in the World of Mankind; whatever may be said ⟨p. 3⟩by some, which, if taken with it's plain Consequences, may seem to imply a Denial of this; which may be considered afterwards.—But by many the Fact is denied • That is, it is denied, that Corruption and moral Evil is commonly prevalent in the World. On the contrary, it is insisted on, that Good preponderates, and that Virtue has the Ascendant.