N06399:658
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 4 › Chapter 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.
Therefore immediately the superior divine Principles wholly ceased; so Light ceases in a Room, when the Candle is withdrawn: and thus Man was left in a State of Darkness, woeful Corruption and Ruin; Nothing but Flesh, without Spirit. The inferior Principles of Self-love and natural Appetite, which were given only to serve, being alone, & left to themselves, of Course became reigning Principles; having no superior Principles to regulate or control them, they became absolute Masters of the Heart. The immediate Consequence of which was a fatal Catastrophe, a turning of all Things upside down, and the Succession of a State of the most odious & dreadful Confusion. Man did immediately set up himself, and the Objects of his private Affections and Appetites, as supreme; and so they took the Place of GOD.—These inferior Principles are like Fire in an House; which, we say, is a good Servant, but a bad Master; very useful while kept in it's Place, but if left to take Possession of the whole House, soon brings all to Destruction. Man's Love to his own Honour, separate Interest, and private Pleasure, which before was wholly subordinate unto Love to God & Regard to his Authority and Glory, now dispose and impel Man to pursue those Objects, without Regard to God's Honour, or Law; because there is no true Regard to these divine Things left in him. In Consequence of which, he seeks those Objects as much when against God's Honour and Law, as when agreeable to 'em. And God still continuing strictly to ⟨p. 320⟩require supreme Regard to himself, and forbidding all Gratifications of these inferior Passions, but only in perfect Subordination to the Ends, & Agreeableness to the Rules and Limits, which his Holiness, Honour & Law prescribe, hence immediately arises Enmity in the Heart, now wholly under the Power of Self-love; and Nothing but War en•ues, in a constant Course, against God. As, when a Subject has once renounced his lawful Sovereign, and set up a Pretender in his Stead, a State of Enmity and War against his rightful King necessarily ensues.—It were easy to show, how every Lust & depraved Disposition of Man's Heart would naturally arise from this privative Original, if here were Room for it.
Therefore immediately the superiour divine Principles wholly ceased; so Light ceases in a Room, when the Candle is withdrawn: and thus Man was left in a State of Darkness, woful Corruption and Ruin; Nothing but Flesh, without Spirit. The inferiour Principles of Self-love and natural Appetite, which were given only to serve, being alone, & left to themselves, of Course became reigning Principles; having no superiour Principles to regulate or controul them, they became absolute Masters of the Heart. The immediate Consequence of which was a fatal Catastrophe, a turning of all Things upside down, and the Succession of a State of the most odious & dreadful Confusion. Man did immediately set up himself, and the Objects of his private Affections and Appetites, as supream; and so they took the Place of GOD.—These inferiour Principles are like Fire in an House; which, we say, is a good Servant, but a bad Master; very useful while kept in it's Place, but if left to take Possession of the whole House, soon brings all to Destruction. Man's Love to his own Honour, separate Interest, and private Pleasure, which before was wholly subordinate unto Love to God & Regard to his Authority and Glory, now dispose and impel Man to pursue those Objects, without Regard to God's Honour, or Law; because there is no true Regard to these divine Things left in him. In Consequence of which, he seeks those Objects as much when against God's Honour and Law, as when agreable to 'em. And God still continuing strictly to