N06399:700
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 appears, particularly, from what has been said, that all Oneness, by Virtue whereof Pollution and Guilt from ⟨p. 347⟩past Wickedness are derived, depends entirely on a divine Establishment. 'Tis this, and this only, that must account for Guilt and an evil Taint on any individual Soul, in Consequence of a Crime committed twenty or forty Years ago, remaining still, and even to the End of the World and forever. 'Tis this, that must account for the Continuance of any such Thing, any where, as Consciousness of Acts that are past; and for the Continuance of all Habits, either good or bad: and on this depends every Thing that can belong to personal Identity. And all Communications, Derivations, or Continuation of Qualities, Properties, or Relations, natural or moral, from what is past, as if the Subject were one, depends on no other Foundation.
It appears, particularly, from what has been said, that all Oneness, by Virtue whereof Pollution and Guilt from ⟨p. 347⟩past Wickedness are derived, depends intirely on a divine Establishment. 'Tis this, and this only, that must account for Guilt and an evil Taint on any individual Soul, in Consequence of a Crime committed twenty or forty Years ago, remaining still, and even to the End of the World and forever. 'Tis this, that must account for the Continu•nce of any such Thing, any where, as Consciousness of Acts that are past; and for the Continuance of all Habits, either good or bad: and on this depends every Thing that can belong to personal Identity. And all Communications, Derivations, or Continuation of Qualities, Properties, or Relations, natural or moral, from what is past, as if the Subject were one, depends on no other Foundation.
And I am persuaded, no solid Reason can be given, why God, who constitutes all other created Union or Oneness, according to his Pleasure, and for what Purposes, Communications, and Effects, he pleases, may not establish a Constitution whereby the natural Posterity of Adam, proceeding from him, much as the Buds and Branches from the Stock or Root of a Tree, should be treated as One with him, for the Derivation, either of Righteousness, and Communion in Rewards, or of the Loss of Righteousness, and consequent Corruption and Guilt.