The Author's Preface
THE following discourse is intended, not merely as an answer to any particular book written against the doctrine of original sin, but as a general defense of that great important doctrine. Nevertheless, I have in this defense taken Notice of the main Things said against this doctrine, by such of the more noted Opposers of it, as I have had Opportunity to read; particularly those two late writers, Dr. TURNBULL, and Dr. TAYLOR of Norwich; but especially the latter, in what he has published in those two books of his, the first intitled, The scripture-Doctrine of Original sin proposed to free & candid Examination; The other, his Key to the Apòstolic Writings, with a Paraphrase and Notes on the epistle to the Romansans. According to my Observation, no one book has done so much towards rooting out of these Western parts of New-England, the principles and Scheme of religion maintain'd by our pious and excellent Fore-fathers, the Divines and Christians who first settled this Country, and alienating the minds of many from what I think are evidently some of the main doctrines of the gospel, as that which Dr. TAYLOR has published against the doctrine of Original sin. This book has now for many Years been spread abroad in the Land, without any answer to it, as an Antidote; and so has gone on to prevail with little Controul. I have indeed heard, that an answer to it has been publish'd by Dr. JENNINGS of London: but never saw it, nor heard of its being in these American parts: So that, however sufficient it may be, it has been of no Service to that purpose here. And in as much as about fifteen Years (if I mistake not) have elapsed, since Dr. TAYLOR'S Piece has been in the Hands of some, there is manifest Need of some other Antidote, for the sake of such as dwell in this part of the world. The providing one is what I have attempted in the following work; wherein I have closely attended to that Piece, in all it's parts, and have endeavoured that no one Thing there said, of any Consequence in this controversy, should pass unnoticed, or that any Thing which has the Appearance of an argument, in Opposition to this doctrine, should be left unanswered. I look on the doctrine as of great Importance; which every body will doubtless own it is, if it be true. For, if the case be such indeed, that all Mankind are by nature in a state of total Ruin, both with respect to the moral Evil they are the Subjects of, and the afflictive Evil they are exposed to, the one as the Consequence and punishment of the other, then doubtless the great salvation by CHRIST stands in direct relation to this Ruin, as the Remedy to the Disease; and the whole gospel, or doctrine of salvation, must suppose it; and all real Belief, or true notion of that gospel, must be built upon it. Therefore, as I think the doctrine is most certainly both true and important, I hope, my attempting a Vindication of it, will be candidly interpreted; and that what I have done towards it's defense, will be impartially considered, by all that will give themselves the Trouble to read the ensuing discourse.
N. B. I had finished my defense of the doctrine of Original sin, and prepared the Copy (as here you have it) for the Press, and had wrote the preceeding part of this Preface, before I had received the least Intimation of any Thing written or intended to be written by the Revelation Mr. NILES, in answer to Dr. TAYLOR.—But having heard, that his answer is chiefly confined to two parts of Dr. TAYLOR'S scripture-Doctrine,—without so particularly replying to the third part of that book, or the large Supplement; and it being the design of the following discourse to examine every Thing material throughout the whole book, and many Things in that other book of Dr. T—r's, containing his Key and Exposition on Romansans; as also many Things written in Opposition to this doctrine by some other modern authors; and moreover, my discourse being not only intended for an answer to Dr. TAYLOR, and other Opposers of the doctrine of Original sin, but (as was observed above) for a general defense of that doctrine; producing the evidence of the truth of the doctrine, as well as answering objections made against it:—considering these Things, I say, I hope this Attempt of mine will not be thought needless, nor be altogether useless. And possibly, even in those parts, where the same Subjects and arguments are handled by us both, the two books may receive light from each other, and may confirm one another; and so the common design be the better subserved.
I would also hope, that the Extensiveness of the plan of the following treatise will excuse the Length of it. And that when it is considered, how much was absolutely requisite to the full executing of a design formed on such a plan; how much has been written against the doctrine of Original sin, and with what Plausibility; and how strong the Prejudices of many are in favor of what is said in Opposition to this doctrine; and that it can't be expected, any Thing short of a full consideration of almost every argument advanced by the main Opposers, especially by this late & specious writer, Dr. TAYLOR, will satisfy many readers; and also, how much must unavoidably be said in order to a full handling of the arguments in defense of the doctrine; and how important the doctrine must be, if true; I say, when such Circumstances as these are considered, I trust, the Length of the following discourse will not be thought to exceed what the case really required. However, this must be left to the judgment of the intelligent and candid reader.
Stockbridge,May 26:1757.
