The Contents

- PART I. WHerein are considered some evidences of original sin from Facts and Events, as found by Observation and Experience: together with Representations and testimonies of holy scripture, and the confession and Assertions of Opposers. - CHAP. 1. The evidence of Original sin from what appears in Fact of the Sinfulness of Mankind. SECT. I. All Mankind do constantly, in all Ages, without Fail in any one instance, run into that moral Evil, which is in effect their own utter and eternal Perdition, in a total Privation of God's favor, and suffering of his Vengeance and wrath. Pag. 1,—17. SECT. II. It follows from the proposition proved in the foregoing section, that all Mankind are under the Influence of a prevailing effectual Tendency in their nature, to that sin and Wickedness, which implies their utter and eternal Ruin. Pag. 17,—26. SECT. III. That Propensity, which has been proved to be in the nature of all Mankind, must be a very evil, depraved, and pernicious Propensity; making it manifest, that the soul of Man, as it is by nature, is in a corrupt, fallen & ruin'd state: Which is the other part of the Consequence, drawn from the proposition laid down in the first section. Pag. 27,—33. SECT. IV. The Depravity of nature appears by a Propensity in all, to sin immediately, as soon as they are capable of it, and to sin continually and progressively; and also by the Remains of sin in the best of Men. Pag. 33,—3[•]. SECT. V. The Depravity of nature appears, in that the general Consequence of the state and Tendency of Man's nature is a much greater degree of sin, than righteousness; not only with Respect to Value and Demerit, but likewise Matter and Quantity. Pag. 39,—49. SECT. VI. The corruption of Man's nature appears by it's Tendency, in it's present state, to an extreme degree of folly and Stupidity in Matters of religion. Pag. 49,—62. SECT. VII. That Man's nature is corrupt, appears, in that vastly the greater part of Mankind, in all Ages, have been wicked Men. Pag. 62,—76. SECT. VIII. The native Depravity of Mankind appears, in that there has been so little good effect of so manifold & great means used to promote Virtue in the world. Pag. 76,—100. SECT. IX. Several Evasions of the arguments for Depravity of nature, from trial and Events, considered. Evasion I. Adam's nature, and the nature of the Angels that fell, was not sinful, yet they sinned: and all Mankind may, without a sinful nature, sin as well as they. Pag. 100,—106. Evasion II. Man's own Free-will is a cause sufficient to account for the general Wickedness of the world. Pag. 106,—108. Evasion III. The corruption of the world, may be owing, not to a depraved nature, but to bad example. Pag. 108,—115. Evasion IV. The general Prevalence of Wickedness may without supposing a corrupt nature, be accounted for by our Senses being first in exercise, and our animal Passions getting the Start of reason. Pag. 115,—118. Evasion V. Men in this world are in a state of trial; it is therefore fit, that their Virtue should be tried by Opposition, both from without and from within. Pag. 118,—121. CHAP. 2. Universal Mortality proves original sin; particularly the death of Infants, with its various Circumstances. Pag. 121,—138. - PART II. Containing Observations on particular parts of the holy Scriptur[•]s, which prove the doctrine of original sin. Pag. 139. - CHAP. 1. Observations relating to Things contained in the three first chapters of GENESIS, with Reference to the doctrine of Original sin. SECT. I. Concerning original righteousness; and whether our first Parents were created with righteousness or moral Rectitude of heart? Pag. 139,—155. SECT. II. Concerning the kind of death, threatned to our first Parents, in case they should eat of the forbidden Fruit. Pag. 155,—164. SECT. III. Wherein it is enquired, whether there be any thing in the History in the three first chapters of Genesis, which should lead us to suppose, that God, in his Constitution with ADAM, dealt with Mankind in general, as included in their first father; and that the Threatning of death, in case he should eat the forbidden Fruit, had Respect, not only to him, but to his Posterity? Pag. 164,—184. CHAP. 2. Observations on other parts of the holy scriptures, chiefly in the Old testament, that prove original sin. Pag. 185,—199. CHAP. 3. Observations on various other Places of scripture, principally in the New-Testament, proving the doctrine of Original sin. SECT. I. Observations on Job. iii. 6. in Connection with some other Passages in the New-Testament; shewing all to be Flesh, by natural Birth. Pag. 199,—209. SECT. II. Observations on Romansans iii. 9,—24. shewing, that All in their first state are Wicked. Pag. 209,—220. SECT. III. Observations on Romansans verse 6,—10. Ephesians ii. 3. with the Context; and Romansans vii. confirming it, that All in their first state are Wicked. Pag. 220,—237. CHAP. 4. Containing Observations on Romansans verse 12, to the end. SECT. I. Remarks on Dr. T—r's way of explaining this Paragraph. Pag. 238,—271. SECT. II. Observations, shewing the true connection, Scope and sense of this remarkable Paragraph; with some Reflexions on the evidence, which we here have, of the doctrine of original sin. Pag. 271,—289. - PART III. Observing the evidence given us, relative to the doctrine of Original sin, in what the scriptures reveal concerning the redemption by CHRIST. Pag. 289. - CHAP. 1. The evidence of Original sin from the nature of redemption, in the Procurement of it; which is superseded by Dr. T mdash;r's Scheme. Pag. 289,—298. CHAP. 2. The evidence of the doctrine of Original sin from what the scripture teaches concerning the application of redemption. Pag. 298,—311. - PART IV. Containing answers to OBJECTIONS. Pag. 311. - CHAP. 1. Concerning that objection, That to suppose Men to be BORN in sin, without their Choice; [•]r any previous Acts of their own, is to suppose what is inconsistent with the nature of SIN. And Reflections shewing the Inconsistence of Dr. T—r's Arguings from this Topic. Pag. 311,—316. CHAP. 2. Concerning that objection against the doctrine of native corruption, That to suppose, Men receive their first existence in sin, is to make Him who is the author of their being, also the author of their Depravity. Pag. 316,—326. CHAP. 3. That great objection against the imputation of Adam's sin to his Posterity considered, That such imputation is unjust and unreasonable, in as much as Adam and his Posterity are not One and the same. With a brief Reflection subjoined, on what some have supposed, of God's imputing the Guilt of Adam's sin to his Posterity, but in an infinitely less degree, than to Adam himself. Pag. 326—355. CHAP. 4. Wherein several other objections are considered.—Viz. That at the Restoration of the world after the Flood, God pronounced equivalent, or greater Blessings on NOAH and his Sons, than he did on Adam at his creation. Pag. 356,—359. That the doctrine of Original sin disparages the divine goodness in giving us our being, and leaves us no reason to thank God for it, as a Gift of his Beneficence. Pag. 359,—363. That at the Day of judgment, the judge will deal with every Man singly and separately, rendring to every Man according to his own works, and his Improvement of personal Talents. Pag. 363,—365. That the word, Impute, is never used in scripture, but with Respect to Men's own personal Acts Pag. 365,—367. That little Children are proposed as Patterns of humility, meekness, and Innocence. Pag. 368. That the doctrine of Original sin pours Contempt upon the human nature. Pag. 369. That it tends to beget in us an ill Opinion of our Fellow-Creatures, and to promote Ill-will and mutual Hatred. Pag. 369. That it hinders our comfort, and promotes Gloominess of mind. Pag. 370. That it tends to encourage Men in sin, and leads to all Manner of iniquity. P. 371. That if this doctrine be true, it must be unlawful to beget Children. Pag. 371, 372. That it's strange, this doctrine should be no oftner, and not more plainly, spoken of in scripture; it being, if true, a very important doctrine. Pag. 373, 374. That Christ says not one word of this doctrine throughout the four Gospels. Pag. 374,—382. - The CONCLUSION. Containing some brief Observations on certain artful methods, used by writers who are Adversaries of this doctrine, in order to prejudice their readers against it. Pag. 382, &c.