N06399:754
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.
Another Thing objected, is, That to make Men believe that Wickedness belongs to their very Nature. tends to encourage them in Sin, and plainly to lead them to all Manner of Iniquity; because they are taught, that Sin is natural, and therefore necessary and unavoidable*
- *P. 139, and 2•9.
But if this Doctrine, which teaches that Sin is natural to us, does also at the same Time teach us, that it is never the better, or less to be condemned, for its being natural, then it don't at all encourage Sin, any more than Dr. T—r's Doctrine encourages Wickedness that is become inveterate; who teaches, that such as by Custom have contracted strong Habits of Sin, are unable to help themselves. †—And is it reasonable, to represent it as encouraging a Man's boldly neglecting and wilfully continuing in his Disease, without seeking a Cure, to tell him of his Disease, to show him that his Disease is real and very fatal, and what he can never cure himself of; yet withal directing him to a great Physician, who is sufficient for his Restoration?—But for a more particular Answer to what is objected against the Doctrine of our natural Impotence and Inability, as being an Encouragement to go on in Sin, and a Discouragement to the Use of all Means for our Help, I must for Brevity refer the Reader to what has been largely written on this Head in my Discourse on the Freedom of the Will.
But if this Doctrine, which teaches that Sin is natural to us, does also at the same Time teach us, that it is never the better, or less to be condemned, for its being natural, then it don't at all encourage Sin, any more than Dr. T—r's Doctrine encourages Wickedness that is become inveterate; who teaches, that such as by Custom have contracted strong Habits of Sin, are unable to help themselves. †