Misrepresentations corrected, and truth vindicated. In a reply to the Rev. Mr. Solomon Williams's…

Besides, such Promises and Oaths of unregenerate Men must not only be contrary to Sincerity, but very presumptuous, upon these two Accounts. (1.) Because herein they take an Oath to the most High, which, it is ten Thousand to one, they will break as soon as the Words are out of their Mouths, by continuing still unconverted; yea, an Oath which they are breaking even while they are uttering it. And what Folly and Wickedness is it for Men to take such Oaths? and how contrary to the Counsel given by the wise Man, in Eccl. v.2, 4, 5, 6? And to what Purpose should ungodly Men be encouraged to utter such Promises & Oaths before the Church, for the Church's Acceptance; which are so far from being worthy to be credited, or a Fulfilment of them to be expected, that it is many Thousands, and perhaps ⟨p. 87⟩Millions of Times more likely to be otherwise? That is, it is so much more likely they will not be converted the very next Moment.— (2.) When an unconverted Man makes such a Promise, he promises what he has not to give, or that which he has no Sufficiency for the Performance of; no Sufficiency in himself, nor any Sufficiency in any other that he has a Claim to, or Interest in. There is indeed a Sufficiency in God to enable him; but he has no Claim to it. For God's helping a Man savingly to believe in Christ is a saving Blessing: And Mr. W. himself owns, that a Man can't by Promise claim any saving Blessings, till he has fulfilled the Conditions of the Covenant of Grace. (P. 22. e. & 28. e.) So that in vain it is said by Mr. W. (P. 27. e.) I pray that it may be thoroughly considered what is propounded in the Covenant of Grace, and on what Stock a Man is to finish. Meaning (as appears by the Sequel) the Stock of God's Sufficiency. To what Purpose is this said? when the Covenant of Grace promises or makes over no such Stock to him who has no Interest in the Promises of it, as having not yet complied with the Condition of its Promises. Nor does an unconverted Man promise any Thing in a humble Dependence on that Stock: no such Men do lay hold on God's Strength, or trust in God's Sufficiency: For this is a discriminating Mark of a true Saint; as our Author himself observes, in that forecited Passage, in his Sermons on Christ a King and Witness, P. 19. c.

Besides, such Promises and Oaths of unregenerate Men must not only be contrary to Sincerity, but very presumptuous, upon these two Accounts. (1.) Because herein they take an Oath to the most High, which, it is ten Thousand to one, they will break as soon as the Words are out of their Mouths, by continuing still unconverted; yea, an Oath which they are breaking even while they are uttering it. And what Folly and Wickedness is it for Men to take such Oaths? and how contrary to the Counsel given by the wise Man, in