N06399:691
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 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.
From these Things it will clearly follow, that Identity of Consciousness depends wholly on a Law of Nature; and so, on the sovereign Will and Agency of GOD; and therefore, that Personal Identity, and so the Derivation of the Pollution and Guilt of past Sins in the same Person, depends on an arbitrary divine Constitution: and this, even ⟨p. 340⟩though we should allow the same Consciousness not to be the only Thing which constitutes Oneness of Person, but should, besides that, suppose Sameness of Substance requisite. For, if same Consciousness be one Thing necessary to Personal Identity, and this depends on God's sovereign Constitution, it will still follow, that personal Identity depends on God's sovereign Constitution.
From these Things it will clearly follow, that Identity of Consciousness depends wholly on a Law of Nature; and so, on the sovereign Will and Agency of GOD; and therefore, that Personal Identity, and so the Derivation of the Pollution and Guilt of past Sins in the same Person, depends on an arbitrary divine Constitution: and this, even ⟨p. 340⟩though we should allow the same Consciousness not to be the only Thing which constitutes Oneness of Person, but should, besides that, suppose Samen•ss of Substance requisite. For, if same Consciousness be one Thing necessary to Personal Identity, and this depends on God's sovereign Constitution, it will still follow, that personal Identity depends on God's sovereign Constitution.
And with respect to the Identity of created Substance it self, in the different Moments of its Duration, I think, we shall greatly mistake, if we imagine it to be like that absolute, independent Identity of the FIRST BEING, whereby He is the same Yesterday, to Day, and for ever. Nay, on the contrary, it may be demonstrated, that even this Oneness of created Substance, existing at different Times, is a •eerly dependent Identity; dependent on the Pleasure and sovereign Constitution of Him who worketh all in all. This will follow from what is generally allowed, and is certainly true, That God not only created all Things, and gave them Being at first, but continually preserves them, and upholds them in Being.—This being a Matter of considerable Importance, it may be worthy here to be considered with a little Attention.—Let us inquire therefore, in the first Place, Whether it be not evident, that God does continually, by his immediate Power, uphold every created Substance in Being; and then let us see the Consequence.