There are remains of the writings of those who were the opposers of this
theory in the time of Augustine, which show the strong emotions called
forth at that remote period by the introduction of this doctrine.
The following is from one of the theologians of that day, addressed to the
author of the theory:
Julian to Augustine.
“The children, you say, do not bear the blame of their own, but of
another’s sins. What sort of sin can that be? What an unfeeling
wretch, cruel, forgetful of God and of righteousness, an inhuman
barbarian, is he who would make such innocent creatures as little
children bear the consequences of transgressions which they never
committed, and never could commit? God, you answer. What god? For
there are gods many and lords many; but we worship but one God and
one Lord Jesus Christ. What God dost thou make the malefactor?
Here, most holy priest and most learned orator, thou fabricatest
something more mournful and frightful than the brimstone in the
valley of Amsanctus. God himself, say you, who commendeth his love
towards us, who even spared not his own Son, but hath given him up
for us all, he so determines—he is himself the persecutor of those
that are born. He himself consigns to eternal fire for an evil
will, the children who, as he knows, can have neither a good nor
an evil will.”
The following is from the celebrated Dr. Watts, whose sacred lyrics endear
his name to the Christian world:
Dr. Watts.
“This natural propagation of sinful inclinations from a common
parent, by a law of creation, seems difficult to be reconciled
with the goodness and justice of God. It seems exceeding hard to
suppose that such a righteous and holy God, the Creator, who is
also a being of such infinite goodness, should, by a powerful law
and order of creation, which is now called nature, appoint young,
intelligent creatures to come into being in such unhappy and
degenerate circumstances, liable to such intense pains and
miseries, and under such powerful tendencies and propensities to
evil, by the mere _law of propagation_, as should almost
unavoidably expose them to ten thousand actual sins, and all this
before they have any personal sin or guilt to deserve it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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