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

In P. 59. in Opposition to my arguing from the Epistles, that the Apostles treated those Members of Churches which they wrote to, as those who had been received on a positive Judgment, i. e. (as I explain my self) a proper and affirmative Opinion; that they were real Saints; Mr. W. argues, that the Apostles could make no such Judgment of them, without either personal Converse, or Revelation; unless it be supposed to be founded on a Presumption, that Ministers who baptized them, would not have done it, unless they had themselves made such a positive Judgment concerning their State: And then adds these Words, This may do for this Scheme, but only 'tis a begging the Question Whereas, it is a Point that never has been in Question in this Controversy, as ever I knew, Whether some Ministers or Churches might reasonably, and affirmatively suppose, the Members of other Churches, they are united with, were admitted on Evidence of proper Qualifications, (whatever they be, whether common or saving) trusting to the Faithfulness of other Ministers ⟨p. 118⟩and Churches. Besides, this can be no Point in Question between Me and Mr. W. unless it be a Point in Question between him & himself. For he holds, as well as I, Persons ought not to be received as visible Christians, without moral Evidence (which is something positive, and not a mere Negation of Evidence of the contrary) of Gospel-Holiness.

In P. 59. in Opposition to my arguing from the Epistles, that the Apostles treated those Members of Churches which they wrote to, as those who had been received on a positive Judgment, i. e. (as I explain my self) a proper and affirmative Opinion; that they were real Saints; Mr. W. argues, that the Apostles could make no such Judgment of them, without either personal Converse, or Revelation; unless it be supposed to be founded on a Presumption, that Ministers who baptized them, would not have done it, unless they had themselves made such a positive Judgment concerning their State: And then adds these Words, This may do for this Scheme, but only 'tis a begging the Question Whereas, it is a Point that never has been in Question in this Controversy, as ever I knew, Whether some Ministers or Churches might reasonably, and affirmatively suppose, the Members of other Churches, they are united with, were admitted on Evidence of proper Qualifications, (whatever they be, whether common or saving) trusting to the Faithfulness of other Ministers ⟨p. 118⟩