N06399:764
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
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.
CONCLUSION.
On the whole, I observe, There are some other Things, besides Arguments, in Dr. T—r's Book, which are calculated to influence the Minds, and bias the Judgments of some Sorts of Readers. Here, not to insist on the taking Profession he makes, in many Places, of Sincerity, Humility, Meekness, Modesty, Charity, &c. in his searching after Truth; and freely proposing his Thoughts, with the Reasons of them, to others; *Nor on his magisterial Assurance, appearing on many Occasions, and the high Contempt the sometimes expresses of the Opinions and Arguments of very excellent Divines and Fathers in the Church of God, who have thought differently from him: ⟨p. 383⟩†Both of which Things, it's not unlikely, may have a Degree of Influence on some of his Readers (However, that they may have only their just Influence, those Things might properly be compared together, and set in Contrast, one with the other)—I say, not to dwell on these Matters, I would take some Notice of another Thing, observable in the Writings of Dr. T. and many of the late Opposers of the more peculiar Doctrines of Christianity, tending (especially with Juvenile and […] Readers) not a little to abate the Force, and prevent the due Effect, of the clearest Scripture-Evidences, in Favour of those important Doctrines; and particularly to make void the Arguments taken from the Writings of the Apostle Paul, in which those Doctrines are more plainly and fully revealed, than in any other Part of the Bible. What I mean, is this; These Gentlemen express a high Opinion of this Apostle, and that very justly, for his eminent Genius, his admirable Sagacity, strong Powers of Reasoning, acquired Learning, &c. They speak of him as a Writer—of masterly Address, of extensive Reach, and deep Design, every where in his Epistles, almost in every Word he says. This looks exceeding specious: it carries a plausible Appearance of Christian Zeal, and Attachment to the holy Scriptures, in such a Testimony of high Veneration for that great Apostle, who was not only the principal Instrument of propagating Christianity, but with his own Hand wrote so considerable a Part of the new Testament. And I am far from determining, with respect at least to some of these Writers, that they are not sincere in their Declarations, or that all is mere Artifice, only to make Way for the Reception of their own peculiar Sentiments.