Misrepresentations Corrected and Truth Vindicated, Part 1 – Part 2
PART. I Observing the general Misrepresentations Mr. WILLIAMS makes concerning the Book he writes against.
SECTION I. Concerning the DESIGN of my writing and publishing my Book, and the QUESTION debated in it.
MR. Williams asserts it to be my profess'd and declared Design, in writing the Book, which he has undertaken an Answer to, to oppose Mr. STODDARD. He has taken a great Liberty in this Matter. He charges Me with a declared Design of writing in Opposition to Mr. Stoddard, no less than nine or ten Times in his Book. And he don't content himself meerly with saying, there are Passages in my Preface, or elsewhere, whence this may be infer'd; but he says expresly, That I profess to be disputing against Mr. Stoddard's Doctrine. P. 14. d.—That I tell my Readers, I am disputing against Mr. Stoddard's Question. P. 37. d.—That I tell 'em so in my Preface, P. 107. d.—That I often declare that I am opposing Mr. Stoddard's Opinion, P 132. d.— And on this Foundation he charges Me with blotting a great Deal of Paper, disserving the Cause of Truth by changing the Question, and putting it in such Terms as Mr. S. expresly disclaims, and then confuting it as Mr. S—d's Principle; unfair Treatment of Mr. S. P. 2. d. e.— surprizingly going off from Mr. S—d's Argument to cast an Odium upon it, treating Mr. S. and his Doctrine in such a Manner as to reproach Him and his Principles, tending to render them odious to the unthinking Multitude, and telling a manifest Untruth. P. 14. d. & 15. c. d. Whereas, I never once signified it to be the Thing I aim'd at, to oppose Mr. Stoddard, or appear as his Antagonist. But the very Reverse was true; and meddling with Him, or what he had said, I studied to avoid, as much as the Circumstances of the Debate with my People would allow, who had been taught by Him, and who so greatly and continually alledged against Me the Things which He had said. Nor is there any Appearance in those Passages Mr. W. cites from my Preface, as tho' this was the Thing I sought or aim'd at. Nay, one of those Passages which he produces to prove it, shews the contrary: as it shews, that its being so (as I supposed) that what I wrote was not consistent with, but opposite to what Mr. S. had maintain'd, was an unsought for and unpleasing Circumstance of that Publication. My Words are, 'Tis far from a pleasing Circumstance of this Publication, that 'tis against what my honoured Grandfather strenuously maintain'd, both from the Pulpit and the Press. Certainly my regretting and excusing such an unavoidable Circumstance was a Thing exceeding diverse from giving Notice to the World, that the Thing I aim'd at was to set myself up as Mr. Stoddard's Antagonist, and to write an Answer to, and confute what he had written. It will, at first Sight, be manifest to every impartial Reader, that the Design of my Preface was not to state the Subject and Intention of the Book: This is done professedly, and very particularly, afterwards, in the first Part of the Essay itself. And if I might have common Justice, surely I might be allowed to tell my own Opinion, and declare my own Design, without being so confidently & frequently charged with misrepresenting my own Thoughts and Intentions.
The very Nature of the Case is such as must lead every impartial Person to a Conviction, that the Design of my Writing must be to defend my self, in that Controversy, which I had with my People at Northampton; as it is notorious and publickly known, that That Controversy was the Occasion of my Writing; and that therefore my Business must be to defend that Opinion or Position of mine which I had declared to them, which had been the Occasion of the Controversy, and so the grand Subject of Debate between us; whether this were exactly agreable to any Words that might be found in Mr. Stoddard's Writings on the Subject, or not. Now this Opinion or Position was the same with that which I express'd in the first Part of my Book. In such Terms I express'd my self to the Committee of the Church, when I first made that Declaration of my Opinion, which was the Beginning of the Controversy, and when writing in Defence of my Opinion was first proposed: And this was the Point continually talked of in all Conversation at Northampton, for more than two Years, even 'till Mr. W—ms's Book came out. The Controversy was, Whether there was any Need of making a credible Profession of Godliness, in Order to Person's being admitted to full Communion; Whether they must profess saving Faith, or whether a Profession of common Faith were not sufficient; whether Persons must be esteemed truly godly, and must be taken in under that Notion, or whether if they appear'd morally sincere, that were not sufficient? And when my Book came abroad, there was no Objection made, that I had not truly express'd the Subject of Debate, in my stating the Question: But the Subject of Debate afterwards, in Parish-Meetings, Church-Meetings, and in all Conversation, was the Question laid down in my Book. No Suggestion among them, that the Profession Persons made in Mr. Stoddard's Way, was taken as a Profession of real Godliness, or Gospel-Holiness; or that they were taken in under a Notion of their being truly pious Persons, as Mr. W. would have it: No Suggestion, that the Dispute was only about the Degree of Evidence. But the Dispute was, What was the Thing to be made evident; whether real Godliness, or moral Sincerity? It was constantly insisted on, with the greatest Vehemence, that it was not saving Religion, which needed to be profess'd, or pretended to; but another Thing, Religion of a lower Kind. — The publick Acts of the Church and Parish, from Time to Time, shew, that the Point in Controversy was, Whether the Professors of Godliness, only, ought to be admitted? Publick Votes, of which I made a Record, were several Times to know the Church's Mind concerning the Admission of Those who are able and willing to make a Profession of Godliness; using these Terms. And once it was pass'd, That such should not be admitted in the Way of publickly making such a Profession. And at another Time the Vote pass'd, That the Admission of such Persons in such a Way (described in the same Words) should not be refer'd to the Judgment of certain neighbouring Ministers. At another Time, it was insisted on by the Parish, in a Parish-Meeting, That I should put a Vote in the Church, in these Words, Whether there be not a Dispute between Mr. Edwards Pastor of the Church, and the Church, respecting the Question he hath argued in his Book last publish'd? And accordingly the Vote was put & affirmed, in a Church-Meeting, in the same Terms.—And this was the Question I insisted on in my publick Lectures at Northampton, appointed for the giving the Reasons of my Opinion. My Doctrine was in these Words, 'Tis the Mind & Will of God, that none should be admitted to full Communion in the Church of Christ, but such as in Profession, and in the Eye of a reasonable Judgment, are truly Saints, or godly Persons. The Town was full of Objections against those Sermons: but none, as ever I heard, objected, that my Doctrine was beside the Controversy.—And this was all along the Point of Difference between me and the neighbouring Ministers. This was the grand Subject of Debate with them, at a Meeting of Ministers, appointed on Purpose for Conference on the Subject. It was wholly concerning the Matter of Profession, or the Thing to be exhibited and made evident or visible; and not about the Manner of professing, and the Degree of Evidence.— And this was the Doctrine directly opposed by Mr. A—y, one of the neighbouring Ministers, whom my People had got as their Champion to defend their Cause in the Pulpit at Northampton. Thus one of the Corollaries he drew from his Doctrine (as it was taken from his Mouth in Writing) was, That A Man may be a visible Saint, and yet there be no sufficient Grounds for our Charity, that he is regenerate. Quite contrary to what Mr. W. maintains Another of his Corollaries was in these Words, A Minister or Church may judge a Man a Saint, and upon good Grounds, and not have Grounds to judge him regenerate. He proposed this Enquiry, Do not such as join themselves to the Church, covenant not only to be visible Saints, but Saints in Heart? The Answer was in the Negative; quite contrary to Mr. W.—Another was, Does not a visible Saint imply a Visibility of Grace, or an Appearance of it? The Answer was, "Not always." Quite contrary to Mr. W.—Another was, Is it not Hypocrisy in any Man, to make a Profession of Religion, and join himself to the Church, and not have Grace? The Answer was in the Negative; also quite contrary to Mr. W. —But these Sermons of Mr. A—y, were highly approved by the generality of the People of Northampton, as agreable to their Minds.
And the Controversy, as I have stated it in my Book, was the Controversy in which the Church and I appeared before the Council, who determin'd our Separation, when we each of us declared our Sentiments before them: The Point of Difference was entirely the Matter of Profession, and the Thing to be made visible; not the Degree of Evidence or Visibility. No Hint was given as tho' we both agreed, that true Piety or Gospel-Holiness was the Thing to be made visible, and that such only should be received as are truly godly Persons in the Eye of the Church's Judgment (as Mr. W. holds) and that we only differ'd about the proper Grounds of such a Judgment.
And therefore 'tis apparent, it was this Controversy, and it's Consequences, that were the Ground of my Separation from my People; and not any Thing like the Controversy which Mr. W. professes to manage in his Answer. This Controversy, when it came out in Mr. W—ms's Book, was new in Northampton, and entirely aliene from all the Dispute which had fill'd that Part of the Country, and a great Part of New-England, with Noise and Uproar, for about two Years and an half. The Thing which Mr. W. over and over allows to be true, was the very same, both in Effect and in Terms, which the People had been most vehemently fighting against, from Week to Week, and from Month to Month, during all this Time: And therefore the Design of my Writing led and obliged me to maintain that Position or Doctrine of mine, which was the Occasion of this Debate.
And, be it so, that I did suppose this Position was contrary to Mr. Stoddard's Opinion, and was opposed by Him,†Whether I was mistaken in this, will appear in the Sequel. and therefore thought fit in my Preface to excuse my self to the World for differing from Him; did this oblige Me, in all that I wrote for the maintaining my Position, to keep my self strictly to the Words which he had express'd his Question in, and to regulate and limit my self in every Argument I used, and Objection I answered, by the Terms which he made use of in proposing his Opinion and Arguments? And if I have not done it, do I therefore deserve to be charged before the World with changing the Question, with unfair Treatment of Mr. Stoddard, with surprizingly going off from his Argument, with disserving the Cause of Truth, &c!
It would have been no great Condescension in Mr W. if he had allow'd that I knew what the Question was, which was disputed between Me and my People, as well as He, in a distant Part of the Country: Yea, if he had acknowledged, that I was as likely as He, to understand Mr. Stoddard's real Sentiments and Practice; since I was in the Ministry two Years with Him, as Co-Pastor of the same Church, and was united with Him in ecclesiastical Administrations, in admitting Members, and in examining them as to their Qualifications, and have stood for more than 23 Years in a Pastoral Relation to his Church, most intimately acquainted with the Nature of it's Constitution, it's Sentiments and Method of Administration, and all its religious Concerns, have my self been immediately concern'd in the Admission of more than three Quarters of its present Members, and have had the greatest Occasion to look into their Way of Admission, and have been acquainted with every living Member that Mr. S. had admitted before my coming; and have been particularly informed, by many of them, of the Manner of Mr. S—d's Conduct in admitting them, their own Apprehensions concerning the Terms of their Admission, and the Profession they made in Order to it; and also the Sentiments of the whole of that large Town, who were born and brought up under his Ministry, concerning his constant Doctrine and Practice, relating to the Admission of Members, from their Infancy.—Whereas, Mr. W. from his Youth had lived in another Part of the Country, at 70 Miles Distance.
SECTION II. Observing Mr. WILLIAMS'S Misrepresentations of the Principles and Tenets, delivered in the Book which he undertakes to answer.
MR. W. does very greatly misrepresent the Opinion I am of, and the Principles I maintain in my Book, in many Respects.
I. He says, P. 5. d. The whole Argument, and indeed the whole Controversy turns upon this single Point, viz. What is that Evidence, which by divine Appointment the Church is to have, of the Saintship of those who are admitted to the outward Privileges of the Covenant of Grace? Mr. Edwards seems to suppose, this must be the highest Evidence a Man can give of Sincerity; and I apprehend to be the lowest Evidence the Nature of the Thing will admit. —But this is very strange, since I had particularly declared in my Stating of the Question, (P. 5.) that the Evidence I insisted on, was some outward Manifestation, that ordinarily render'd the Thing probable. Which shews, that all I insisted on, was only, that the Evidence should amount to Probability. And if the Nature of the Case will admit of some lower Kind of Evidence than this, or if there be any such Thing as a Sort of Evidence that don't so much as amount to Probability, then 'tis possible that I may have some Controversy with Him and others about the Degree of Evidence: Otherwise 'tis hard to conceive, how he should contrive to make out a Controversy with me.
But that the Reader may better judge, whether Mr. W. truly represents me as supposing that the Evidence which should be insisted on, is the highest Evidence a Man can give of Sincerity, I would here insert an Extract of a Letter which I wrote to the Rev. Mr. Peter Clark of Salem-Village, a Twelve-Month before Mr. W—ms's Book was published: The Original is doubtless in Mr. Clark's Hands. In that Letter, I declared my Sentiments in the following Words:
It don't belong to the Controversy between Me and my People, how particular or large the Profession should be that is required. I should not chuse to be confined to exact Limits as to that Matter. But rather than contend, I should content my self with a few Words, briefly expressing the cardinal Vertues, or Acts implied in a hearty Compliance with the Covenant of Grace; the Profession being made (as should appear by Inquiry into the Person's doctrinal Knowledge) understandingly; if there were an external Conversation agreable thereto. Yea, I should think that such a Person, solemnly making such a Profession, had a Right to be receiv'd as the Object of a publick Charity, however he himself might scruple his own Conversion, on Account of his not remembring the Time, not knowing the Method of his Conversion, or finding so much remaining Sin, &c. And (if his own Scruples did not hinder *I added this, because I supposed that such Persons as judge themselves unconverted, if of my Principles, respecting Qualifications for Communion, would scruple coming, and could not come with a good Conscience: But if they were of Mr. S—d's Principle, viz. That unconverted Men might lawfully come, neither a Man's being of that Opinion, nor his judging himself unconverted, would hinder my receiving him who exhibited proper Evidence to the Church of his being a Convert.) I should think a Minister or Church had no Right to debar such a Professor, tho' he should say, he did not think himself converted. For I call that a Profession of Godliness, which is a Profession of the great Things wherein Godliness consists, and not a Profession of his own Opinion of his good Estate.—
Northampton, May 7. 1750.
In like Manner, I explain'd my Opinion, very particularly and expresly, before the Council that determin'd my Separation from my People, and before the Church, in a very publick Manner in the Meeting-House, many People being present, near a Year before Mr. W—ms's Book was publish'd; and to make it the more sure, that what I maintain'd might be well observed, I afterwards sent in the foregoing Extract of my Letter to Mr. Clark of Salem-Village, into the Council. And, as I was informed, it was particularly taken Notice of in the Council, and handed round among them, to be read by them.
The same Council, having heard that I had made certain Draughts of the Covenant, or Forms of a publick Profession of Religion, which I stood ready to accept of from the Candidates for Communion, they, for their further Information, sent for 'em. Accordingly I sent them four distinct Draughts or Forms, which I had drawn up about a Twelve-Month before, (near Two Years before the publishing of Mr. W—ms's Book) as what I stood ready to accept of (any one of them) rather than contend and break with my People.— The two shortest of those Forms were as follows.
One of them was;
I hope, I do truly find a Heart to give up my self wholly to God, according to the Tenor of that Covenant of Grace which was seal'd in my Baptism, and to walk in a Way of that Obedience to all the Commandments of God, which the Covenant of Grace requires, as long as I live.
The other,
I hope, I truly find in my Heart a Willingness to comply with all the Commandments of God, which require me to give up my self wholly to Him, and to serve Him with my Body and my Spirit; and do accordingly now promise to walk in a Way of Obedience to all the Commandments of God, as long as I live.
Now the Reader is left to judge, whether I insist, as Mr. W. represents, that Persons must not be admitted without the highest Evidence a Man can give of Sincerity.
II. Mr. W. is abundant in suggesting and insinuating to his Readers, that the Opinion laid down in my Book is, That Persons ought not to be admitted to Communion without an absolute and peremptory Determination in those who admit them, that they are truly godly; because I suppose it to be necessary, that there should be a positive Judgment in their Favour.
Here I desire the Reader to observe, that the Word Positive is used in two Senses. (1.) Sometimes it is put in Opposition to Doubtful, or Uncertain: And then it signifies the same as Certain, Peremptory, or Assured. But (2.) The Word Positive is very often used in a very different Sense; not in Opposition to Doubtful, but in Opposition to Negative: And so understood, it signifies very much the same as Real, or Actual. Thus, we often speak of a negative Good, and a positive Good. A negative Good is a meer Negation or Absence of Evil. But a positive Good is something more, 'tis some real, actual Good, instead of Evil. So there is a negative Charity, and a positive Charity. A negative Charity is a meer Absence of an ill Judgment of a Man, or forbearing to condemn him. Such a Charity a Man may have towards any Stranger he transiently sees in the Street, that he never saw or heard any Thing of before. A positive Charity is something further than meerly not condemning, or not judging Ill of a Man; it implies a good Thought of a Man. The Reader will easily see that the Word Positive, taken in this Sense, is an exceeding different Thing from Certain or Peremptory. A Man may have something more than a meer negative Charity towards another, or a meer forbearing to condemn him, he may actually entertain some good Thought of him, and yet there may be no proper Peremptoriness, no Pretence of any Certainty in the Case.
Now 'tis in this Sense I use the Phrase, positive Judgment, viz. In Opposition to a meer negative Charity; as I very plainly express the Matter, and particularly & fully explain my self in stating the Question. In my Inquiry (P. 5.) I have the following Words: By Christian Judgment, I intend something further than a Kind of meer negative Charity, implying that we forbear to censure and condemn a Man, because we don't know but that he may be godly, and therefore forbear to proceed on the Foot of such a Censure or Judgment in our Treatment of Him; as we would kindly entertain a Stranger, not knowing but, in so doing, we entertain an Angel, or precious Saint of God: But I mean a positive Judgment, founded on some positive Appearance or Visibility, some outward Manifestation that ordinarily renders the Thing probable. There is a Difference between suspending our Judgment, or forbearing to condemn, or having some Hope that possibly the Thing may be so, and so hoping the best, and a positive Judgment in Favour of a Person. For a having some Hope, only implies, that a Man is not in utter Despair of a Thing; tho' his prevailing Opinion may be otherwise, or he may suspend his Opinion.
Here, I think, my Meaning is very plainly and carefully explain'd. However, in as much as the Word Positive is sometimes used for Peremptory or Certain, Mr. W. catches at the Term, and lays fast Hold of the Advantage he thinks this gives him, and is abundant, all over his Book, in representing as tho' I insisted on a positive Judgment in this Sense. So he applies the Word, referring to my Use of it, from Time to Time. Thus, P. 69. b. If there be any Thing in this Argument, I think it must be what I have observ'd, viz. That a Christian must make a positive Judgment and Determination, that another Man is a Saint, and this Judgment must have for it's Ground something which he supposes is, at least ordinarily, a Certain Evidence of his Saintship, and by which gracious Sincerity is Certainly distinguish'd from every Thing else. And P. 141. a. The Notion of Men's being able and fit to determine positively the Condition of other Men, or the Certainty of their gracious State, has a direct Tendency to deceive the Souls of Men. And thus Mr. W. makes mention of a positive Judgment above forty Times in his Book, with Reference to my Use of it, and to my declared Opinion of the Necessity of it; and every where plainly uses the Phrase in that Sense, for absolute and peremptory, in Opposition to Doubtfulness; continually insinuating, that this is what I professedly insist on. Whereas, every Act of the Judgment whatsoever, is a Positive Judgment in the Sense in which I have fully declared I use it, viz. in Opposition to Negative; which is no Act, but a meer with-holding of the Act of the Judgment, or forbearing any actual Judgment. *Mr. John Glas, in his Observes upon the original Constitution of the Christian Church, (P. 55, 56.) says as follows. You seem to have a great Prejudice at what you call positive Evidences, and judging upon them in the Admission of Church-Members. And I am at some Loss to understand what you mean by them, tho' I have heard the Expression frequently, among People of your Opinion, used to express some very ill Thing. If you mean by positive Evidences, infallible Evidences of a Thing that none but God infallibly knows, and can assure a Man's own Conscience of, with Respect to a Man himself; I think, it would be a very great Evil for a Man to require such Evidence to found his Judgment of Charity, concerning another Man's Faith and Holiness, or concerning his being an Object of brotherly Love. And I think, he is bound by the Law of Christ to form his Judgment in this Matter upon less Evidence. But if you mean positive Evidence in Opposition to negative, which is no Evidence, I must own, I know not how to form a Judgment of Charity without some positive Evidence. And is not a credible Profession something positive?— Is not a credible Profession of the Faith, Love, and Hope that is in Christ, or of Christianity, a positive Evidence of a Man's being an Object of brotherly Love, which Evidence ought to be the Ground of my Judgment of Charity concerning Him, that He is a Christian, a Believer in Christ, a Brother for whom Christ died? If it be otherwise, and if there be no Evidence upon which I can charitably judge, that a Man is a Brother for whom Christ died, then tell me, how I can evidence my Love to Jesus Christ, in the Labour of Love towards my Brother, whom I have seen; and my Love to God, in my Love to them that are begotten of Him.Mr. W. himself does abundantly suppose, that there must be a positive Judgment in this Sense: He grants the very Thing, tho' he rejects the Term: For he holds, there must be such a Visibility as makes Persons to appear to be real Saints. P. 5. b.—He allows, that the moral Image of God or Christ must appear, or be supposed to be in them, as the Ground and Reason of our Charity; and that there must be some Apprehension, some Judgment of Mind, of the Saintship of Persons, for it's Foundation. P. 68. c. d. e. & 69. a. & 71. d.—That they must have such a Character appearing in them. P. 55. e. — That there must be a Judgment founded on moral Evidence of Gospel-Holiness. P. 139. d.
III. Mr. W. to make my Scheme appear the more ridiculous, does more than once represent it as my Opinion, that in Order to Persons being admitted into the Church, there must be a Judgment of their being regenerate, founded on such a Degree of Evidence, as that it shall not be liable to be mistaken more than once in ten Times. Thus, P. 63. c. Mr. Edwards himself supposes, in his own Scheme, when he has made a positive Judgment that every one singly whom he admits into the Church is regenerate; yet, when taken collectively, it is probable one in ten will be an Hypocrite? So, P. 71. b. If any Thing be intended to the Purpose for which this Argument is brought, I conceive, it must mean, that there must be such a positive Judgment of the real Holiness of Persons, as is not mistaken more than once in ten Times. —Now, I desire the Reader to observe what is the whole Ground, on which he makes such a Representation. In explaining my Opinion, in the Beginning of my Inquiry (P. 6.) I desired it might be observed, that I did not suppose we ought to expect any such Degree of Certainty of the Godliness of those who are admitted into the Church, as that when the whole Number admitted are taken collectively, or considered in the Gross, we should have any Reason to suppose every one to be truly godly; tho' we might have Charity for each one that was admitted, taken singly, and by himself. And to shew, that such a Thing was possible, I endeavoured to illustrate it by a Comparison, or supposed Case of Probability of ten to one, in the Example of certain Stones, with such probable Marks of a Diamond, as by Experience had been found not to fail more than once in ten Times. In which Case, if a particular Stone were found with those Marks, there would be a Probability of ten to one, with Respect to that Stone, singly taken, that it was genuine: But if ten such were taken together, there would not be the same Probability that every one of them was so; but in this Case, 'tis as likely as not, that some one in the Ten is spurious. Now 'tis so apparent, that this particular Degree of Probability of ten to one is mentioned only as a supposed Case, for Illustration, and because, in a particular Example, some Number or other must be mention'd, that it would have been an Affront to the Sense of my Readers to have added any Caution, that he should not understand me otherwise. However, Mr. W has laid hold on this, as a good Handle by which he might exhibit my Scheme to the World in a ridiculous Light; as tho' I had declared it my real Opinion, that there must be the Probability, of just ten to one, of true Godliness, in Order to Persons Admission into the Church. He might with as much Appearance of Sense and Justice, have asserted concerning all the supposed Cases in Books of Arithmetick, that the Authors intend these Cases should be understood as real Facts, and that they have written their Books, with all the Sums and Numbers in them, as Books of History; and if any Cases mention'd there only as Examples of the several Rules, are unlikely to be true Accounts of Fact, therefore have charg'd the Authors with writing a false & absurd History▪
IV. Another Thing, yet further from what is honourable in Mr. W. is This; That, whereas I said as above, that there ought to be a prevailing Opinion concerning those that are admitted, taken singly, or by themselves, that they are truly godly or gracious, tho' when we look on the whole Number in the Gross, we are far from determining that every one is a true Saint, and that not one of the Judgments we have pass'd, has been mistaken; Mr. W. because I used the Phrase singly taken, has laid hold on the Expression, and from thence has taken Occasion to insinuate to his Readers, as if my Scheme were so very extravagant, that according to this, when a great Multitude are admitted, their Admitters must be confident of EVERY ONE's being regenerated. Hence he observes, (P. 98. c.) There is no Appearance, that John made a positive Judgment that every one of these People were regenerated. Plainly using the Expression as a very strong one; leading the Reader to suppose, I insist the Evidence shall be so clear, that when such a vast Multitude as John baptized are viewed, the Admitter should be peremptory in it, that his Judgment has not fail'd so much as in a single Instance; the very Reverse of what I had express'd. In like Manner, Mr. W. treats the Matter from Time to Time. As in P. 55. a. The Thing to be proved from hence is, that the Apostles and primitive Christians, not only thought that these Persons were Christians, by Reason of their external Calling, & profess'd Compliance with the Call; but had formed a positive Judgment concerning EVERY ONE OF THEM SINGLY, that they were real Saints. Here the Expression is plainly used as a very strong one; as implying much more than esteeming so great a Multitude, when taken in the Gross to be generally true Saints, and with a manifest Design to carry the same Idea in the Mind of the Reader as was before mention'd. See another like …ance P. 62. c.
V. However, my Opinion is not represented bad enough yet; but to make it appear still worse, Mr. W. is bold to strain his Representation of it to that Height, as to suggest that what I insist on, is a Certainty of others Regeneration: tho' this be so diverse from what I had largely explained in stating the Question, and plainly expressed in other Parts of my Book, *In stating the Question, P. 5. b. I explain'd the requisite Visibility, to be some outward Manifestation, that ordinarily renders the Thing probable. To the like Purpose, is what I say in P. 10. e. & P. 11. a. b. e. & P. 12. a. b. e. And in P. 106. e. I say expresly, Not a Certainty, but a Profession and Visibility of these Things, must be the Rule of the Church's Proceeding.and also inconsistent with his own Representations in other Places. For if what I insist on be a Probability that may fail once in ten Times, as he says it is, P. 63. a. then it is not a Certainty that I insist on; as he suggests, P. 141. a.—Speaking of the evil Consequences of my Opinion, he says, The Notion of Men's being able and fit to determine positively the Condition of other Men, or the Certainty of their gracious Estate, has a direct Tendency to deceive the Souls of Men. So again in P. 69. And he suggests, that I require more than moral Evidence, in P. 6. c. & P. 139. d.
VI. Mr. W. represents Me as insisting on some Way of judging the State of such as are admitted to Communion, by their inward & spiritual Experiences, diverse from judging by their Profession and Behaviour. So, P. 7. b. If their outward Profession & Behaviour be the Ground of this Judgment, then it is not the inward Experience of the Heart. "— P. 55. b. Which Judgment must be founded on something beyond and beside their external Calling, and visible Profession to comply with it, and to be separated for God: And therefore this Judgment must be founded, either upon Revelation, or a personal Acquaintance with their Experiences. &c. In like Manner he is abundant, from one End of his Book to the other, in representing as tho' I insisted on judging of Men by their inward & spiritual Experiences, in some peculiar Manner. Which is something surprizing, since there is not so much as a Word said about relating, or giving an Account of Experiences, or what is commonly so called, as a Term of Communion. Mr. W. (P. 6. a.) pretends to quote two Passages of mine, as an Evidence, that this is what I insist on. One is from the 5th Page of my Book. 'Tis true, I there say thus, It is a Visibility to the Eye of the publick Charity, and not a private Judgment, that gives a Person a Right to be received▪ as a visible Saint by the Publick. And I there say, A publick and serious Profession of the great and main Things wherein the Essence of true Religion or Godliness consists, together with an honest Character, an agreable Conversation, and good Understanding of the Doctrines of Christianity, and particularly those Doctrines that teach the grand Condition of Salvation, and the Nature of true saving Religion; this justly recommends Persons to the good Opinion of the publick; whatever Suspicions and Fears any particular Person, either the Minister, or some other, may entertain, from what He in particular has observed; perhaps the Manner of his expressing Himself in giving an Account of his Experiences, or an Obscurity in the Order and Method of his Experiences, &c. —But the Words don't imply, it may be demanded of the Candidate, that he should give an Account of his Experiences to the Minister, or any Body else, as the Term of his Admission into the Church; nor had I Respect to any such Thing▪ But I knew it was the Manner in many Places for those who hoped they were godly Persons, to converse with their Neighbours, and especially with their Minister, about their Experiences; whether it was required of them in Order to their coming into the Church, or no; and particularly, I was sensible, that this was the Manner at Northampton, for whose Sake especially I wrote; and I supposed it the Way of many Ministers, and People, to judge of others State, openly and publickly, by the Order and Method of their Experiences, or the Manner of their relating them. But this I condemn in the very Passage that Mr. W. quotes; and very much condemn, in other Writings of mine which have been publish'd; and have ever loudly condemned, and born my Testimony against.
There is one Passage more, which Mr. W. adds to the preceding, and fathers on me, to prove that I require an Account of Experiences in order to Admission; pretending to rehearse my Words, with Marks of Quotation, saying as follows, (P. 6. a.) And as he further explains himself elsewhere; The proper Visibility which the Publick is to have of a Man's being a Saint, must be on some Account of his Experience of those Doctrines which teach the Nature of true saving Religion. I have made long and diligent Search for such a Passage in my Writings, but cannot find it. Mr. W. says, I thus explain my self elsewhere: But I wish he had mention'd in what Place.
If there be such a Sentence in some of my Writings (as I suppose there is not) it will serve little to Mr. Williams's Purpose.—If we take the Word Experience according to the common Acceptation of it in the English Language, viz. a Person's perceiving or knowing any Thing by Trial or Experiment, or by immediate Sensation or Consciousness within himself: In this Sense, I own, it may from what I say in my Book be infer'd, that a Man's Profession of his Experience should be required as a Term of Communion: And so it may be as justly and as plainly infer'd, that Mr. W. himself insists on a Profession of Experience as a Term of Communion; Experience of a deep Conviction of a Man's undone State without Christ; Experience of a Perswasion of his Judgment and Conscience, that there is no other Way of Salvation; Experience of unfeigned Desires to be brought to the Terms of the Covenant: For such Things as these, he says, must be professed: So P. 75. d. e. and in innumerable other Places. There is no such Thing possible as a Man's professing any Thing within himself or belonging to his own Mind, either good or bad, either common or saving, unless it be something that he finds, or (which is the same Thing) experiences, within himself.
I know, the Word Experience is used by many in a Sort of peculiar Sense, for the particular Order and Method of what passes within the Mind and Heart in Conversion. And in this Sense, Mr. W. knows, I disclaim the Notion of making Experiences a Term of Communion. I say, he knows it, because (in P. 6, a.) he quotes and rehearses the very Words wherein I do expresly disclaim it. And I am very large and particular in testifying against it in my Book on Religious Affections: A Book, I have good Reason to think Mr. W. has seen and read, having been thus informed by a Man of his own Principles, that had it from his Mouth. There, in P. 300. e. & 301. a. I say as follows: In order to Persons making a proper Profession of Christianity, such as the Scripture directs to, and such as the Followers of Christ should require in Order to the Acceptance of the Professors with full Charity, as of their Society, 'tis not necessary they should give an Account of the particular Steps and Method, by which the Holy Spirit, sensibly to them, wrought, and bro't about those great essential Things of Christianity in their Hearts. There is no Footstep in the Scripture of any such Way of the Apostles, or primitive Ministers and Christians requiring any such Relation in order to their receiving and treating others as their Christian Brethren, to all Intents and Purposes; or of their first examining them concerning the particular Method and Order of their Experiences. They required of them a Profession of the Things wrought; but no Account of the Manner of working was required of them. Nor is there the least Shadow in the Scripture of any such Custom in the Church of God, from Adam to the Death of the Apostle John. To the same Purpose again I express my self in P. 302. d. And in the Preface to the Book that Mr. W. writes against, I make particular mention of this Book on Religious Affections, wherein these Things are said; and there declare expresly, that when I wrote that Book, I was of the same Mind concerning the Qualifications of Communicants that I am of now.—But,
VII. To make my Scheme still more obnoxious & odious, Mr. W. once and again insinuates, that I insist on an Account of such inward FEELINGS, as are by Men supposed to be the certain discriminating Marks of Grace (So P. 7. b. & 141. e.) tho' I never once used the Phrase any where in my Book. I said not a Word about inward Feelings, from one End of it to the other: Nor is any inward Feeling at all more implied in my Scheme, than in his. But however, Mr. W. knew that these Phrases, Experiences and inward Feelings, were become odious of late to a great Part of the Country; and especially the latter of them, since Mr. Whitefield used it so much: And he well knew, that to tack these Phrases to my Scheme, and to suggest to his Readers that these were the Things I professed to insist on, would tend to render me and my Scheme contemptible. If he says, tho' I use not that Phrase, yet the Things I insist on, are such as are inwardly felt; such as saving Repentance, Faith, &c. I answer, These Things are no more inward Feelings, than the Things he himself insists on; such as a deep Conviction of a Man's undone State, unfeigned fervent Desires after Christ, a fixed Resolution for Christ, Engagedness for Heaven, &c.
VIII. Mr. Williams abundantly, in almost all Parts of his Book, represents my Principles to be such as suppose Men to be the SEARCHERS of others Hearts. For which I have given no other Ground, than only supposing that some such Qualifications are necessary in Order to Communion, which have their Seat in the Heart, and so not to be intuitively seen by others; and that such Qualifications must, by Profession and Practice, be made so visible or credible to others, that others may rationally judge they are there. And Mr. W. supposes the same Thing as much as I. In P. 111. c. he expresly speaks of the Qualifications necessary to Communion, as being in the Heart, and not possible to be known any other way than by their being seen there: and also often allows, that these Qualifications must be exhibited, and made visible, by a credible Profession, and answerable Practice: yea, He goes further, He even supposes that those who admit them to Sacraments, ought to be satisfied by their Profession, that they really have these Qualifications. Thus he says, P. 54. c. The Baptizer ought to be satisfied by a Person's Profession, that he really believes the Gospel, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour.
IX. Mr. W. is not contented with all these Representations of my Scheme, but will have it appear more absurd and monstrous still; and therefore represents me as maintaining, that 'tis not the visible Profession of Experiences, that I suppose the Ground of the Church's Judgment; but these Experiences and inward Feelings Themselves, by having the Heart turned inside out, and viewing them immediately in the Heart itself, and judging upon the next and immediate Actings of the Heart.—Here, I only desire the Reader to read down Mr. W—ms's 7th Page, and make his own Reflections.
X. Whereas, in P. 16. of my Book, I observed it to be the Opinion of some, that, Altho' the Members of the visible Church are Saints in Profession and Visibility, and in the Acceptance of others, yet this is not with Reference to saving Holiness, but to quite another Sort of Saintship, viz. moral Sincerity; and that this is the real Saintship, Discipleship, and Godliness, that is profess'd and visible in Them, &c. Mr. W. (P. 4, 5.) says, He don't remember that he ever heard of this, or that any Body tho't of it, before he saw it in my Book; and represents it as a poor Man of Straw, of my own framing: and he insists upon it, that 'tis allow'd on all Hands, that the Visibility must be with Reference to saving Holiness.
I will not say, that Mr. W. knew it to be a false Representation which he here makes: But this I will say, that he ought to have been better informed, before he had thus publickly ridiculed this as a Fiction of mine; especially considering the Opportunities and Advantages he has had to know otherwise: This being the Notion that had been (as was before observed) so loudly and publickly insisted on, for more than two Years, by the People of Northampton, and by the neighbouring Ministers, and those of them that were Mr. W—ms's near Relatives; as he has had abundant Opportunities to be fully informed, having withal had great Inducements to inquire. Besides, that this has been the universal Opinion of all that Part of the Country (who tho't Themselves Mr. Stoddard's Followers) for more than 20 Years, is a Fact as notorious, as that the People there generally believe Mr. Stoddard's Doctrine of the Necessity of a Work of Conversion in order to get to Heaven. — And this is the Opinion professedly maintain'd in a Pamphlet publish'd in Boston (Anno 1741) Intitled, A Right to the Lord's Supper consider'd: A Piece which has long been well known among Mr. W—ms's nearest Relatives, and in good Repute with them; as I have had Occasion to observe. This Pamphlet insists expresly & abundantly, that moral Sincerity is the REAL Discipleship & Holiness, with Respect to which visible Christians are called Disciples and Saints, in Scripture. Particularly see Pages 9, 10, 13, & 14.—And which is more strange yet, Mr. BLAKE, the great Author Mr. W. makes so much Use of, and in a Book which I know he has long been the Possessor of, speaks much of a Profession of Religion that has Respect only to a dogmatical, historical Faith, a common Faith, a Faith true indeed (as he says) in its Kind, but short of that which is justifying and saving, and a Profession which goes no further, as that which entitles to sealing Ordinances. Thus he does expresly. See Blake on the Covenant, P. 241, 244, 245.—The same Author again and again distinguishes between justifying Faith and Faith of Profession; as in P. 284, 285, 286.— And which is more than all this, Mr. W. (as will appear in the Sequel) abundantly contends for the same Thing himself, tho' against himself, and altho' he charges me in P. 35. d. with a great Misrepresentation, in supposing that according to the Scheme of my Opposers, the Profession required in those that are admitted, don't imply a Pretence to any Thing more than moral Sincerity and common Grace.