N06399:749
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.
But their declaiming on this Topic is like addressing the Affections and Conceits of Children, rather than rational arguing with Men. It seems, this Doctrine is not complaisant enough.—I am sensible, it is not suited to the Taste of some, who are so very delicate (to say no worse) that they can bear Nothing but Compliment and Flattery.—No Contempt is by this Doctrine cast upon the noble Faculties and Capacities of Man's Nature, or the exalted Business, and divine and immortal Happiness he is made capable of. And as to speaking ill of Man's present moral State, I presume, it will not be denied, that Shame belongs to them that are truly sinful; and to suppose, that this is not the native Character of Mankind, is still but meanly begging the Question. If we, as we come into the World, are truly sinful, and consequently miserable, he acts but a friendly Part to us, who endeavours fully to discover and manifest our Disease. Whereas, on the contrary, he acts an unfriendly Part, who to his utmost hides it from us; and so, in Effect, does what in him lies to prevent our seeking a Remedy from That, which, if not remedied in Time, must bring us finally to Shame and everlasting Contempt, and end in perfect and remediless Destruction hereafter.
Another Objection, which some have made against this Doctrine, much like the former, is, That it tends to beget in us an ill Opinion of our Fellow-creatures, and so to promote Ill-Nature and mutual Hatred.
To which I would say, If it be truly so, that we all come sinful into the World, then our heartily acknowledging it, tends to promote Humility: But our disowning that Sin and Guilt, which truly belongs to us, & endeavouring to persuade ourselves that we are vastly better than in Truth we are, tends to a foolish Self-Exaltation & Pride. ⟨p. 370⟩And 'tis manifest, by Reason, Experience, and the Word of God, that Pride is the chief Source of all the Contention, mutual Hatred, and Ill-Will, which are so prevalent in the World; and that Nothing so effectually promotes the contrary Tempers and Deportments, as Humility. This Doctrine teaches us to think no worse of others, than of our selves: It teaches us, that we are all, as we are by Nature, Companions in a miserable helpless Condition which, under a Revelation of the divine Mercy, tends to promote mutual Compassion. And Nothing has a greater Tendency to promote those amiable Dispositions of Mercy, Forbearance, Long-suffering, Gentleness and Forgiveness, than a Sense of our own extreme Unworthiness & Misery, and the infinite Need we have of the divine Pity, Forbearance and Forgiveness, together with a Hope of obtaining Mercy.—If the Doctrine, which teaches that Mankind are corrupt by Nature, tends to promote Ill-will, why should not Dr. T—r's Doctrine tend to it as much? For he teaches us, that the Generality of Mankind are very wicked, having made themselves so by their own free Choice, without any Necessity: which is a Way of becoming wicked, that renders Men truly worthy of Resentment; but the other, not at all, even according to his own Doctrine.