N06399:91
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 1 › Chapter 1 › Section 2
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.
To determine whether the unfailing Constancy of the above-named Event be an Evidence of Tendency, let it be considered,—What can be meant by Tendency, but a prevailing Liableness or Exposedness to such or such an Event? Wherein consists the Notion of any such thing, but some stated Prevalence or Preponderation in the Nature or State of Causes or Occasions, that is followed by, and so proves to be effectual to, a stated Prevalence or Commonness of any particular Kind of Effect? Or, something in the permanent State of Things, concerned in bringing a certain Sort of Event to pass, which is a Foundation for the Constancy, or strongly prevailing Probability, of such an Event? If we mean this by Tendency (as I know not what else can be meant by it, but this, or something like this) then it is manifest, that where we see a stated Prevalence of any Kind of Effect or Event, there is a Tendency to that Effect in the Nature and State of it's Causes. A common and steady Effect shows, that there is some-where a Preponderation, a prevailing Exposedness or Liableness in the State of Things, to what comes so ⟨p. 19⟩steadily to pass. The natural Dictate of Reason shows, that where there is an Effect, there is a Cause, and a Cause sufficient for the Effect; because, if it were not sufficient, it would not be effectual: and that therefore, where there is a stated Prevalence of the Effect, there is a stated Pr• valence in the Cause: A steady Effect argues a steady Cause. We obtain a Notion of such a Thing as Tendency, no other Way than by Observation: And we can observe nothing but Events: And 'tis the Commonness or Constancy of Events, that gives us a Notion of Tendency in all Cases. Thus we judge of Tendencies in the natural World. Thus we judge of the Tendencies or Propensities of Nature in Minerals, Vegetables, Animals, rational and irrational Creatures. A Notion of a stated Tendency or fixed Propensity is not obtained by observing only a single Event. A stated Preponderation in the Cause or Occasion, is argued only by a stated Prevalence of the Effect. If a Die be once thrown, and it falls on a particular Side, we don't argue from hence, that that Side is the heaviest;
To determine whether the unfailing Constancy of the above-named Event be an Evidence of Tendency, let it be considered,—What can be meant by Tendency, but a prevailing Liableness or Exposedness to such or such an Event? Wherein consists the Notion of any such thing, but some stated Prevalence or Preponderation in the Nature or State of Causes or Occasions, that is followed by, and so proves to be effectual to, a stated Prevalence or Commonness of any particular Kind of Effect? Or, something in the permanent State of Things, concerned in bringing a certain Sort of Event to pass, which is a Foundation for the Constancy, or strongly prevailing Probability, of such an Event? If we mean this by Tendency (as I know not what else can be meant by it, but this, or something like this) then it is manifest, that where we see a stated Prevalence of any Kind of Effect or Event, there is a Tendency to that Effect in the Nature and State of it's Causes. A common and steady Effect shews, that there is some-where a Preponderation, a prevailing Exposedness or Liableness in the State of Things, to what comes so