N06399:696
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.
It will follow from what has been observed, that God's upholding created Substance, or causing it's Existence in each successive Moment, is altogether equivalent to an immediate Production out of Nothing, at each Moment. Because it's Existence at this Moment is not merely in Part from God, but wholly from him; and not in any Part, or Degree, from it's antecedent Existence. For the supposing, that it's antecedent Existence concurs with God in Efficiency, to produce some Part of the Effect, is attended with all the very same Absurdities, which have been shown to attend the Supposition of it's producing it wholly. Therefore the antecedent Existence is Nothing, as to any proper Influence or Assistance in the Affair: And consequently God produces the Effect as much from Nothing, as if there had been Nothing before. So that this Effect differs not at all from the first Creation, but only Circumstantially; as in first Creation there had been no such Act and Effect of God's Power before: whereas, his giving Existence afterwards, follows preceding Acts and Effects of the same Kind, in an established Order.
It will follow from what has been observed, that God's upholding created Substance, or causing it's Existence in each successive Moment, is altogether equivalent to an immediate Production out of Nothing, at each Moment. Because it's Existence at this Moment is not meerly in Part from God, but wholly from him; and not in any Part, or Degree, from it's antecedent Existence. For the suppo•ing, that it's antecedent Existence concurs with God in Efficiency, to produce some Part of the Effect, is attended with all the very same Absurdities, which have been shown to attend the Supposition of it's producing it wholly. Therefore the antecedent Existence is Nothing, as to any proper Influence or Assistance in the Affair: And consequently God produces the Effect as much from Nothing, as if there had been Nothing before. So that this Effect differs not at all from the first Creation, but only Circumstantially; as in first Creation there had been no such Act and Effect of God's Power before: whereas, his giving Existence afterwards, follows preceeding Acts and Effects of the same Kind, in an established Order.