N06399:698
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.
Thus it appears, if we consider Matters strictly, there is no such Thing as any Identity or Oneness in created Objects, existing at different Times, but what depends on GOD's sovereign Constitution. And so it appears, that the Objection we are upon, made against a supposed divine Constitution, whereby Adam and his Posterity are viewed and treated as One, in the Manner and for the Purposes supposed, as if it were not consistent with Truth, because no Constitution can make those to be one, which are not one; I say, it appears that this Objection is built on a false Hypothesis: For it appears, that a divine Constitution is the Thing which makes Truth, in Affairs of this Nature. The Objection supposes, there is a Oneness in created Beings, whence Qualities and Relations are derived down from past Existence, distinct from, and prior to any Oneness that can be supposed to be founded on divine Constitution. Which is demonstrably false; and sufficiently appears so from things conceded by the Adversaries themselves: And therefore the Objection wholly falls to the Ground.
Thus it appears, if we consider Matters strictly, there is no such Thing as any Identity or Oneness in created Objects, existing at different Times, but what depends on GOD's sovereign Constitution. And so it appears, that the Objection we are upon, made against a supposed divine Constitution, whereby Adam and his Posterity are view'd and treated as One, in the Manner and for the Purposes supposed, as if it were not consistent with Truth, because no Constitution can make those to be one, which are not one; I say, it appears that this Objection is built on a false Hypothesis: For it appears, that a divine Constitution is the Thing which makes Truth, in Affairs of this Nature. The Objection supposes, there is a Oneness in created Beings, whence Qualities and Relations are derived down from past Existence, distinct from, and prior to any Oneness that can be supposed to be founded on divineConstitution. Which is demonstrably false; and sufficiently appears so from things conceded by the Adversaries themselves: And therefore the Objection wholly falls to the Ground.
There are various Kinds of Identity & Oneness, found among created Things, by which they become one in different Manners, Respects and Degrees, and to various Purposes; several of which Differences have been observed; and every Kind is ordered, regulated and limited, in every Respect, by divine Constitution. Some Things, existing in different Times & Places, are treated by their Creator as One in one Respect, and others in another; some are united for this Communication, and others for that; but all according to the sovereign Pleasure of the Fountain of all Being and Operation.