N06399:737
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 4
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.
There are two Things, with Regard to which Men will be tried, and openly distinguished, by the perfect Judgment of God at the last Day; according to the twofold real Distinction subsisting among Mankind: viz. (1) The Difference of STATE; that primary and grand Distinction, whereby all Mankind are divided into two Sorts, the Righteous and the Wicked. (2.) That secondary Distinction, ⟨p. 364⟩whereby both Sorts differ from others in the same general State, in DEGREES of additional Fruits of Righteousness and Wickedness. Now the Judge, in Order to manifest both these, will judge Men according to their personal Works. But to inquire at the Day of Judgment, whether Adam sinned or no, or whether Men are to be looked upon as one with him, and so Partakers in his Sin, is what in no Respect tends to manifest either of these Distinctions.
There are two Things, with Regard to which Men will be tried, and openly distinguished, by the perfect Judgment of God at the last Day; according to the twofold real Distinction subsisting among Mankind: viz. (1) The Difference of STATE; that primary and grand Distinction, whereby all Mankind are divided into two Sorts, the Righteous and the Wicked. (2.) That secondary Distinction, ⟨p. 364⟩whereby both Sorts differ from others in the same general State, in DEGREES of additional Fruits of Righteousness and Wickedness. Now the Judge, in Order to manifest both these, will judge Men according to their personal Works. But to inquire at the Day of Judgment, whether Adam sin'd or no, or whether Men are to be look'd upon as one with him, and so Partakers in his Sin, is what in no Respect tends to manifest either of these Distinctions.
1. The first Thing to be manifested, will be the State, that each Man is in, with Respect to the grand Distinction of the whole World of Mankind into Righteous & Wicked; or, in metaphorical Language, Wheat & Tares; or, the Children of the Kingdom of Christ, and the Children of the Wicked One; the latter, the Head of the Apostasy; but the former, the Head of the Restoration & Recovery. The Judge, in manifesting this, will prove Men's Hearts by their Works, in such as have had Opportunity to perform any Works in the Body. The evil Works of the Children of the wicked One will be the proper Manifestation and Evidence or Proof of whatever belongs to the general State of such; and particularly they will prove, that they belong to the Kingdom of the great Deceiver, and Head of the Apostasy, as they will demonstrate the exceeding Corruption of their Nature, and full Consent of their Hearts to the common Apostasy; and also that their Hearts never relinquished the Apostasy, by a cordial Adherence to Christ, the great Restorer.—The Judge will also make use of the good Works of the Righteous to show their Interest in the Redemption of Christ; as thereby will be manifested the Sincerity of their Hearts in their Acceptance of, and Adherence to the Redeemer and his Righteousness. And in thus proving the State of Men's Hearts by their Actions, the Circumstances of those Actions must necessarily come into Consideration, to manifest the true Quality of their Actions; as, each one's Talents, Opportunities, Advantages, Light, Motives, &c.