IN Consequence of the present Debate, every impartial Free­holder of the Province of Pennsylvania will be naturally induced to consider which of the Professions in this Country he would ven­ture to chuse as Guardian of his civil and religious Liberties, in a Government, where, according to the Constitution, no one Profession in particular can be established by Law, withous a manifest breach and Violation of its original Foundation. But as the Contest seems particularly to be between the Quakers and Presbyterians, we ought, as Members of one common Society, seriously to weigh the Merits of both Parties, before we list ourselves under the Banner of ei­ther,—Neither ought Country, Prejudice of Education, or particular Opinions in Religion, sway us with regard to Government▪ because even the Mahometan Jurisdiction is to be preferred (with respect to Liberty of Conscience) to many Countries in Europe govern'd by Christians.

I have never read of any Country in the World, where Quakers have had Authority except Pennsylvania; so that all the Examples of their good or bad Administration, must be drawn from this Place. Now even the most prejudiced cannot but acknowledge, after taking an impartial View of the conduct of the Quakers, that we have been wisely and judicious­ly govern'd. For Matters of Fact speak loudly in their Favour. The present amazing Perfection this Province has arrived to in so short a Time, both in Riches, Trade and Commerce, is owing to the wise and prudent Ad­ministration of this good People. Was not every useful and salutary Plan pursued by them to encourage Emigrents of all Nations to settle here? And when they did settle, did they not enjoy Liberties both civil and religious in the most ample Manner? Has the bloody Spirit of Per­secution ever prevail'd among them to the Detriment of other Chri­stians. [Page 6] And to whom can the distressed go with surer Confidence of Re­lief than to them. And I dare venture to affirm that these very Consi­derations mov'd the first Adventurers from Ireland, to send for their poor Relations to populate this Province, whose delightful Plains far surpass the barren Mountains of Carentaugher, Slemish or Slevgallion.

Whether any of these new comers settled upon unpurchased Land belonging to Indians, or whether they always kept within Bounds, is a Question I will not undertake to determine. But however it appears very unlikely that the Indians should maintain an inviolable friendship with us, when they might have crush'd us in a moment, till we were grown a numerous People, and then go to war with us for no reason when we were able to cope with them in the field of battle.

I shall readily allow that according to the strict rules of Quaker prin­ciples, they are not qualified to govern in time of war. And indeed the majority of those worthy people themselves are of the same opinion; for some time ago, when there was an absolute necessity for protecting this province by an armed force, many of the Friends who were then in the House of Assembly resign'd their seats, and left the management of public affairs in the hands of people of another profession. This part of their conduct certainly argued great prudence and discretion, as well as wisdom and modesty. But had their seats been fill'd with Presbyterians, we shou'd innevitably have been in a much worse condition, for it is very evident from undeniable facts, that they are by no means proper men to hold the reigns of government, either in war or peace.

For if a firm attachment to the King, and the laws of our country, be necessary qualifications for a Representative of the people, a Presbyterian can lay no claim to them; and consequently ought not to be elected. If we are to form any judgment of the present members of that society by either their own conduct, or that of their forefathers, we shall find that in the annals both of ancient and modern History, Presbyterianism and Rebellion were twin-sisters, sprung from faction; and their affection for each other has been ever so strong, that a separation of them never cou'd be effected. What King has ever reign'd in Great-Britain, whose Government has not been disturb'd with Presbyterian Rebellions, since ever they were a people? Will they not be answerable for all the inno­cent blood spilt at Pentland Hills and Bothel Bridge? From whence cou'd they have possibly learn'd but from Mahomet to propogate their Religion with the Sword. If we were to credit their Hypocritical declarations, we must believe they are actuated in all their proceedings by the gra­cious influences of the Blessed Spirit, and to be the most loyal subjects in Europe or America. But do they not belie the Blessed Spirit in fathering upon him all the unnatural Rebellions they wickedly raised against their lawful Sovereign King Charles the First? Did the Blessed Spirit teach them to rebel twice, and match to the borders of England; and after obtaining every thing they unjustly desir'd, break their public faith the third time, by entering into a most damnable covenant to march an army into Eng­land, [Page 7] with a view to extirpate or butcher all those of the English Nation, who wou'd not join them in the worship of their great goddess the Pres­bytery, which they had set up in their own country▪ Did the Blessed Spirit teach them to sell their King, in imitation of Judas who sold out Savior, even after he had voluntarily resign'd himself: Did they not murder their King in the face of the sun, and put a Tyrant chosen from the very dreggs of the people upon the Throne, who ruled them with a rod of iron, and corrected their harden'd and stubborn dispositions with scor­pions instead of whips? How did they raise insurrections in various parts of the kingdom against Charles the Second. And when they collected an army of saints to fight Cromwell at the battle of Dunbar, did not their ministers in the name of the Lord assure the army of success; de­clar'd that they had been seeking God; and had obtained an answer to their prayers? Cromwell however soon made it appear that they had be­lied the Holy Ghost, and prophesied falsely.

Was not the Scotch Rebellion one principal cause of the insurrection of the Irish-Papists in the Year 164 [...]? The Success that attended the one in behalf of the Kirk, encouraged the other to pursue the same steps in favor of the Mass, and if so, it may undoubtedly be made a question, whether all the innocent blood that was shed in that horrid Massacre, may not be justly laid to their charge? Certain it is the Natives of both king­doms seem'd to vie with each other in acts of cruelty. For if the Ca­tholics committed many outrages in defending their country against the inroads and depredations of those foreign interlopers who swarm'd like locusts from the barren hills of Loughaber in search of a better country, the Scotch-Presbyterians were no way behind hand with them, when with­out the least remorse, they murder'd 4,000 of the native Irish, men, women and children in the Isle Mc-Gee, much in the same manner their offspring murdered the Indians at Lancaster.

However glorious the Revolution might be, it is very certain the Presbyterians had no hand in it; for it is well known that when the Eng­lish Church refus'd to comply with King James's dispensing power (for which seven of their Bishops were imprison'd, and one of their Univer­sities ruin'd) the Presbyterians join'd with that weak, bigotted and tyran­nical Prince, and thank'd his Majesty in many fulsome Addresses from all parts of the kingdom, for his goodness in overturning the constitution in favor of them and their dear Brethren the Catholics. Many of this same godly sect took commissions from James, and rais'd Regiments in order to oppose the Prince of Orange, but when the designs of our glori­ous Deliverer were attended with success, then indeed they turn'd tail up­on their old master, and set up their pretensions for merit with the new King, who, being bred a Calvinist, establish'd their Religion in Scot­land, and conferr'd many other acts of favor on them. All this, not­withstanding, cou'd not preserve his peace, or deter them from plotting against his Government and person; for altho' they valued the Man, yet they hated the King, being desirous of no King, but King Jesus. His [Page 8] Majesty, who had been bred up in the principles of moderation in Hol­land, recommended a Bill to be passed for the Toleration of Dissenters in Scotland; but the General Assembly of that kingdom represented it to the people in such odious and black colors, and petition'd with so much spirit and warmth against it, as having a pernicious and dangerous ten­dency to destroy the Kirk, that it was laid aside. From this period the King despis'd and abhorr'd them, as a bigotted, stiff-necked, rebellious, pedantic crew, who had grossly impos'd upon him, in procuring an or­der to massacre the poor innocent inhabitants of Glencoe in cold blood.

I should exceed the bounds I have prescrib'd to myself if I was to give a minute account of the Rebellions, which happened in the Year 1715 and 1745 in Scotland, when that kingdom was twice up in arms in favor of the Pretender, under two of the wisest and best Kings that ever sway'd the British Scepter; I mean George the First and George the Second. Neither has the Government of our present most gracious Sovereign es­cap'd. It was but the last summer that thousands of the Presbyterians in the North of Ireland took up arms under pretence of grievances; but it evidently appear'd that their malice was chiefly bent against the Church-Clergy, who stood in the way of their idol, Presbytery; for they made all the establish'd Clergy in the North fly to the strong Fortress of Lon­donderry, in order to avoid being massacred. From all these instances it appears that Presbyterians have been always enemies to Kingly-Govern­ment, and consequently not fit to be entrusted with any share of the civil power, when a King reigns: And how can it be otherwise, seeing that not only their solemn League and Covenant, to which thousands of them adhere to this day, was founded on Rebellion; but that Formula of doc­trine and discipline, call'd the Westminster Confession, which is the pre­sent infallible standard receiv'd by the whole body of them, was com­pos'd by a set of men, when they were in open Rebellion against their King; destroying the Monarchy, and endeavouring to plan, both in Church and State, the Constitution of Great-Britain after the model of a Geneva Republic.

These few hints may serve as a Looking-Glass for Presbyterians born within the Dominions of Great-Britain (as Foreigners who go under that name in this Province are not concern'd) who wou'd feign think themselves qualified persons to sit as Representatives of a free People. I earnestly hope, every other denomination will take the pains to examine them thro' this perspective, which is no magnifying one; and then judge whether they are fit to be intrusted with our lives, liberties and properties; especially if they keep in mind, that whenever this righteous people have the power in their hands, they will tolerate no other profes­sion or opinion but their own, and never cease till they establish themselves in such a manner as to exclude all other sects. For the proof of this, witness Scotland and New-England; countries where their reli­gion has been propagated by the Sword, instead of that peaceful manner recommended by the blessed Jesus.

[Page 9]Let the righteous blood of the Quakers unjustly shed in New-Eng­land, purely for Conscience sake, warn the inhabitants of Pennsylvania from trusting Presbyterians with power, least the same mournful Trage­dies shou'd be acted over again!

I come now more particularly to consider the Pamphlet intitled the "Quaker unmask'd" or "Plain Truth" address'd (and that seriously too) to the Freemen of Pennsylvania.

Our Author sets out with advising us, to find out the "Aggressors" that the saddle at last may be put on the right horse. Here I join Issue with him, and do affirm that the reason of all the present Party-Rage was the Presbyterians murdering the Indians at Lancaster, under the Protec­tion of Government; had this not happen'd we shou'd have had none of all this disturbance among us. But how they came to be spirited on to such an inhuman deed, more than the Dutch who are equal sufferers with them on the Frontiers, can be accounted for no otherwise, than because they exceed all other People in acts of brutality. This polite, elegant, witty Pamphleteer condemns the action himself, but wou'd have us consi­der the alleviating circumstance, "What are they? ‘Why the Massacre of the back Inhabitants.’ Here one wou'd have expected that the Gentleman wou'd have attempted to prove the Lancaster Indians guilty; but not a word against them; not even a presumption. They had liv'd long 'tis true even from their infancy, in the interior parts of the pro­vince; their characters are well known to be inoffensive; but we lost our relations by Indian Barbarians; and therefore we will kill Indians where­ver we can find them. A fine way of reasoning! Old King Hendric who died gloriously fighting at the head of his troops for the English, wou'd innevitably have been murder'd, had he met with any of the Paxton-Vo­luntiers before that time. Those brave Fellows also under Sir William Johnson, wou'd have dyed by the very men, for whom they are going to battle. And not even the blessed Presbyterian Indian Saints under the learned, pious and Rev. Mr. Braynard would have escap'd the Paxton-Boys.

Another alleviating Circumstance our Author mentions, page 6th, is, "that they had long before sent several petitions to the Governor and Assembly, which were conceal'd by ill designing persons." I wish this elegant writer had nam'd the men to whom the Petitions were delivered, that the public might be aware of them. Those in Government who act wrong shou'd undoubtedly be brought to the light, that if members of the House, we may mark them at the next election; and if of the Coun­cil, that his Honor may call them to an account for thus bringing him and the Province into distress. This is a Piece of Justice due to the inno­cent, who are under this indefinite charge? for why shou'd the prudent and just be censur'd for a fault of which they never were guilty; Besides, why was not copies of the petitions publish'd, that the public might judge whether they contain'd any thing worthy the attention of the Le­gislature.

[Page 10]After all, I am induc'd to believe the truth is, these men acted in the same manner the Catholics did in Ireland, First begin the Rebellion, and then appoint the ablest of their Divines to study for arguments to sup­port it.

We are told in this same sublime pamphlet, ‘that some of the Indians in the Barracks were well known to have been at the battle against Col. Bouquet, and at the Siege of Fort Pitt by officers who are in town.’ If so, these military Gentlemens conduct, upon this occasion, ought to have been a pattern of humanity to these brave Paxton Volunteers▪ Parti­cularly when we reflect that^† one of these very Officers whom we have the honor to reside among us, in an engagement with these Savages, was shot, as I apprehend, through the Lungs, and notwithstanding this took up arms in their defence, when likely to be attack'd at the Barracks.

What was it did honor to the characters of General Amherst and Sir William Johnson upon the total reduction of Canada, but their rest [...]ain­ing our Indians and Army from any acts of cruelty upon the Canadians or their Savage Allies, who had been murdering and scalping our Pron­tiers all this war? To kill an enemy in the heat of battle is honorable, but to put him to death when he is disarm'd, tied and bound at your feet, is a cowardly action, and argues a prodigious depravity of Human Nature.

Our Author produces the Revolution as an instance to justify the Pax­ton-Insurgents. If he thus misapplies the Bible when he preaches, he shall never be my Teacher. But for curiosity sake, let us see how the comparison will hold. The whole People of England headed by two branches of the Legislature, opposes the King for perverting the Govern­ment. Therefore about two hundred lawless Banditti of Paxton and Donegall may attempt to overthrow all the parts of the Legislature in Penn­sylvania.—A Province containing about 250,000 Inhabitants. Such is the great force of our Author's Logic when reduced to form; but I am almost tired with his absur'd and inconclusive manner of reasoning.

Our Author further tells us, page 6th, ‘the Indians were in great danger of receiving their just deserts;’ i. e. the Paxton Boys were just at hand with intention to murder them, had not their Friends from the Ci­ty, who were in League with them, made them acquainted with the regu­lar force in the Barracks: But he forgets himself page 8th, where he in­forms us, ‘that their design was nothing else, but that their grievances might have a fair hearing.’ Thus he contradicts in one page what he asserts in another, My advice to him is (and I humbly apprehend it is sa­lutary) that he wou'd get some better information of the subject he un­dertakes to discuss. when he takes up his pen the next time to write, otherwise he will be perpetually liable to mistakes and blunders.

"The Paxton Boys were brave and loyal subjects to his Majesty" says this judicious Pamphleteer. As to their bravery no body will ever dis­pute it that has heard of their gallant and loyal behaviour at Lancaster where only fifty of them compleatly armed were able to vanquish a nu­merous company of eight men and women, and seven small children, all [Page 11] coop'd up in a Jail. The same of this noble and gallant exploit ought surely to be recorded in the annals of America for the honor of the reli­gious, christian Presbyterians.

Their Loyalty was equally conspicuous in bidding defiance to the pro­clamations of his Honor; trampling upon the just and righteous Laws of their Country; and holding a Treaty with his Majesty's Representative as if they were Foreigners at war with Great-Britain. What a Nose of wax the word Loyalty has been made to serve the vile purposes of all the insurrections that have been rais'd against the Sovereign, is well known to those, who are the least acquainted with History? The Rebels in Ire­land, in 1641, call'd themselves loyal subjects to King Charles. And the Scotch Rebels, when they march'd an army to destroy the king, not only warmly profess'd, but swore to be loyal to him and his hens in their infa­mous covenant.—Oh! but crys the Gentleman, they did no body any harm. No thanks to them for that For had they gone to rob and plun­der the country, the whole Province wou'd have bravely hunted them down like wolves, Besides it was politic in them to behave discreetly to the Inhabitants. When the Pretender march'd into England the last Re­bellion, his Adherents behav'd as discreetly as the Paxton Boys, yet this did not save the Leaders of them from the ax and the halter.

I can't comprehend how our Author shou'd know that Squaws have charms, had they not made some deep impressions on his own heart. For Love Solomon says, is stronger than Death. Possibly however the jealousy of being rivall'd may have been the cause of the late distaste he and his brethren have conceiv'd for these poor females; it so, I can assure them, they may with all the freedom in the world repair to the Barracks, and brighten their former acquaintance, as all transgressions of this kind are easily wash'd away by standing in the Kirk.

I would seriously ask this great Writer, or any of his Advocates, what cou'd a sett of men do more in the Assembly for protecting this Province, than the people call'd Quakers have done▪ It can be undeniably prov'd that more money has been rais'd in this Province for carrying on the war, than any other in America. It can also be prov'd that the necessity of raising money was never disputed, but the mode of taxation: Had our Re­presentatives given up this inherent right of Englishmen, they wou'd have betray'd the trust repos'd in them by their Constituents, and deserv'd the censure of the very Paxton Boys themselves. Besides their peculiar tenets in religion as is alledg'd, have no influence on their actions relative to Government. For Quakers are no more answerable for the bad con­sequences charg'd upon their doctrines by the Presbyterians when they do not affect their conduct) than Presbyterians are chargeable with all the ab­surdities of Absolute Decrees.

Shou'd not a Presbyterian be as passive as a Quaker according to his own principles; for certainly if God fore-ordains whatever comes to pass, he can no more alter the irresistable decree, than he can overturn the world; consequently all resistance against an enemy is vain, because we [Page 12] then fight against the will of God, and resist the Holy Ghost, which is an abominable crime.

Our Author makes a tedious Harrangue about the Quakers for once taking up arms to defend themselves, when the city appear'd to be in the utmost danger of massacre, Plunder and desolation, [...] a total overthrow of the very being of our constitution. This is a similar case to that at the Revolution. No one precept in the Gospel is more power­fully enforc'd than obedience to the King; absolute necessity, however, for once compell'd the English Nation, at the Revolution, to dispense with this positive command. Now will our Author be so hardy as to ask, ‘if these are the people, who always profess obedience to the King according to a divine command;" and then conclude; "what amazing hypocrisy appears in their profession." "They must either confess that they have hitherto resisted the blessed Gospel, or that the Holy Spi­rit has given them a new Gospel contradictory to the old one; but this is to blaspheme God, and belie the Holy Ghost; yet such is their con­duct.’ This is the force of his Argument when applied to the Revo­lution; and any one wou'd certainly conclude that our Author by his manner of reasoning was a Nonjuror: And indeed I am apt to believe there is something in it; for I never heard that Presbyterian Ministers in [...] country were oblig'd to take the Oaths to the Government, or give any other test of their fidelity to the King. Whoever heard a Presbyterian Sermon upon the duty of submission to the present establishment? Are not the Covenanters preaching against his Majesty every day, and all by the direction of the Spirit? Four different sorts of Presbyterians have all in the name of the Blessed Spirit damn'd each other in Pennsylvania. Must not each party have belied the Blessed Spirit, in anouncing contradic­tory and blasphemous Anathemas in his name? But to conclude. Beware, my Countrymen, of men who wou'd cram Laws down your throats with muskets, daggers, tomahawks and scalping-knives. Give me leave to recommend to you a spirit of watchfulness and jealousy. The Inhabitants of Pennsylvania enjoy the most extensive privileges both ci­vil and religious of any people in the world. Let us then, like true Britons, warmly oppose any that wou'd presume to deprive us of them! Let us boldly contend for the cause of Liberty and our Country, and never be pusillanimous or supine▪ when we see men of bad principles at work behind the curtain, to wrest them out of our hands! Let us as we value every thing that is dear and sacred to us, endeavour to suppress the present prevailing faction! And finally, let us exert all our influence and power to keep the Reigns of Government out of the hands of Presbyterians (which can be done no other way than by placing ourselves under the protection of our gracious and royal Master, King George the third of blessed me­mory) as we are convinc'd, thoroughly convinc'd, of their unfitness to govern both by experience and undeniable instances from History!

THE time is now come that we must either submit our necks to the yoke of Presbyterian bondage, or exert ourselves with a true British Spirit in behalf of our King and Country. For was it ever known in any part of the world, that such as appear'd in defence of a Government, shou'd be treated with contempt, and look'd upon as ene­mies to it; and that others cou'd recommend themselves by boldly flying in its face and trampling upon its authority. But such is the profound, wise policy of some of our State Physicians, who have been at work be­hind the scenes to encourage one part of the inhabitants to rise up in arms, and attempt to draw blood of the rest; tho' happy for us, they are too rampant, and not easily rid out of their liberties.

The veil of hypocrisy was too thin, and is now plainly seen thro' by the good inhabitants of this province, who heartily and sincerely pity the poor despicable wretches that were made Dupes of upon this occasion to serve the turn of those shallow pated Statesmen, who cun­ger up storms and tempests to cast away the ship that they may (like [Page 14] the moon-cursers of Cornwal) murder the crew, and run away with the plunder.

As I am an American born, and have neither place nor pension under the G—t, I earnestly hope my dear countrymen will look upon my weak endeavours to serve them, free from prejudice and partiality, and as the overflowings of a heart truly touch'd with a deep sense of their misfortunes, and sympathizing with them under their present unhappy calamity.

Must it not rouse the indignation of every patriot breast in P—a to see so many hireling pens prostituted to support arbitrary measures; when if they were equally employ'd in vindicating the rights and li­berties of the people; in exposing wicked ministers of state, those sons of corruption, who are preparing the minds of mankind for sla­very and bondage, they might do honor to themselves, die without a guilty conscience staring them in the face, and their memory (instead of rotting) wou'd be gratefully rever'd by posterity?

As my principal design is to examine the merit of Presbyterians for government, without troubling myself much about pamphlets, that have, or may be written in defence of the P—r and his Tools in Opposition to the Freemen of this Province; nevertheless I look upon it as a Duty incumbent on me just to give a Key to one of them, call'd the "Conduct of the Paxton Men impartially represented."

This Sixpenny Piece consists of thirty three Pages, twenty of which the Author has borrow'd in Order to swell the Performance, other­wise I apprehend the thirteen pages of his own dry Reflections wou'd have been sold for two Coppers, by which Means the mercenary Views of both Author and Printer wou'd have been entirely disappointed.— Such are the cunning Schemes projected amidst the Scarcity of Cash that now prevails, by these pamphleteering Gentlemen, in Order to make the Public pay for what they were in Possession of before. The Inju­ry he has done to the back Inhabitants by misrepresenting their Mani­festo, can scarce ever be forgiven him, for in transcribing this Remons­trance of Grievances, he has artfully substituted the Word, "Quakers, for P—r, in order I apprehend to throw the blame upon them and their Assembly. If the Reader however in the Perusal of the Pamphlet, will bear this in his Mind, and as he goes along, when he meets with words. Tyrant, Traytor, Rebel, &c. Apply the first to a certain Ruler not much esteem'd, and the two last to the Paxton Men, and Presbyterians! These with a few more of the like Emendations, may make it tolerable Sense and what is more give it some Color of Truth.

Our Author commends the Representatives of the Freemen of Rome, for murdering Julius Caesar in the State House, because he had tyranni­cally depriv'd them of their Liberty, and reduc'd them to a State of Vassalage and Slavery.—I believe his Employers have more Under­standing than to thank him for this Instance of his Zeal, as it militates so strongly against the Cause for which it was produc'd, and sets such an Example to the Senators of P—,a as I am confident they wou'd by [Page 15] no Means imitate. Thus I might run a Parallel thro' all his Instances from Prophane History, to shew that every Example he has adduc'd is in Favor of the People and their Representatives. He has taken a Deal of Pains to shew the Similarity between Jews and Presbyterians (but this was a needless Undertaking, as every Body knew it before). He has also endeavor'd to make it appear that all other Professions intermix'd among them, are the Heathens with whom they have to contend. That if there­fore Force will not do, Fraud may be made use of to destroy their Op­posers, by Craft, Treachery, or Dissimulation.—He wou'd feign make us believe too that as God formerly gave the Land of Canaan by a Charter from Heaven to the Jews; so he has given Pennsylvania to the Presbyterians by Virtue of the same Commission, Judith, cries our Author, tells a Lye to Holofernus, makes him drunk, and then severs his Head from his Body with a Scymitar,—so ought all the Sons and Daughters of Presbyterianism, serve those of a different Persuasion who do not coincide with them in Religion and Politics, smite them under the fifth Rib as Joab did Abner, and betray them with a Kiss into the Hands of their Enemies, as Judas did our blessed Savior. Might I not as well quote this Passage of the Apocrypha, and apply it with equal Propriety to the late Expedition to German-town? Holofernus (i. e. Col—A.-m-s-g) was the chief Captain of the Army of the Paxton Volunteers, who had formerly march'd West and secur'd himself behind a Tree; till his Forces vanquish'd the Catananites; after which, in the Name of the Hosts of Israel, he fired at a Bundle of Deer-Skins which fell before him; for which gallant and brave Exploit he was crown'd with Laurels: He then ruin'd his Sword against Judah to the Eastward, and said I will go forth in my Wrath and devour mine Enemies, and straitly block up the Capitol.—Now had there been a Woman in Philadelphia, as bold as Judith, and us'd the same Means to destroy this Holofernus in Ger­mantown, wou'd she not be equally entitled to the Blessings pronounc'd by Ozias, that Judith was, according to the curious Application our ju­dicious Author has made to this Text?

What a shocking Opinion must Mankind have of Presbyterians who first kill People, and then erect Courts of Judicature to try them? Our Author has been at great Pains to take ex Parte Depositions, and pub­lish them to the World as sufficient Proof of the Indians Guilt. There­fore whether they were innocent or guilty is little to the Purpose now, as their Doom is irreversable. Will the Verdict of the Public restore them to Life, suppose it is given in their Favor. These Allegations were suf­ficient, if true, to confine them by Virtue of the civil Authority in or­der to bring them to a legal Tryal, that they might either be acquitted or condemn'd by their Country.—But who, under the Heavens, gave Presbyterians Authority to be their own Carvers, or appointed them Judges, Jurors, Hangmen, and Executioners, to butcher the Indians, Man, Woman and Child in cold Blood, without first examining either their Merit, or Demerit, or giving them any Chance to plead for them­selves?

[Page 16]The Presbyterians want more Members from the back Counties to re­present them, and have added this to the Catalogue of their Grievances upon the Frontiers. Now suppose it was granted, I believe it wou'd make very little Alteration for the better, as that County has seldom sent a Presbyterian to represent them, (one qualified being very rarely to be found,) and but a-few from the others; and even some of those that are sent, appear as warm for the Liberties of their Country as any of their Brother Members. Are not the Gentlemen in general who represent the five back Counties, I wou'd seriously ask this Gentleman, as unani­mous in their Votes against the P—r as any of the Members who repre­sent the interior Parts of the Province? And are not they the best Judges from what Fountain the Grievances of their Constituents flow? Had they protested against the Resolves of the House, publish'd their Reasons, and shewn that they were out number'd by a Quaker Majority; there wou'd have been some color of Argument for making such a Clamor about more Members. But no such Thing. These Gentlemen know the odds be­tween sixpence and a Shilling, as well as other People, and think it no Deed of Charity to pay the P—r's Taxes, whose Estate is said to be worth, at a moderate Computation, ten Millions Sterling.

It is said that all Means are to be us'd between this, and next Election to unite the Presbyterians as one Man to chuse such Persons for Assemblymen who (upon certain Conditions) will grant any Thing the P—s demand. This Plot may be conceited by some-time serving Hirelings of that Party, but I cannot suffer myself to believe the Majority of the landed Men among them who, by the bye, love Money as well as their Neighbours, and are no Creatures to the G—t wou'd ever submit to such a servile Yoke—If any Thing induces them it must be their close Attachment to their peculiar Tenets in Religion; the artful Persuasions of their Teachers; and the com­fortable hopes of an Establishment in Pennsylvania. And if these Mo­tives prevail what may we expect to be the Consequences? Why—

First, a Bill exempting the Proprietaries from all Taxes forever,

Secondly, A Bill settling an Annuity upon Deputy Governors for the Time being of one Thousand per Annum or more. In lieu of which the Pres­byterians shall have.

Thirdly A Bill for establishing Synods, Presbyteries, and Kirk Sessions.

Fourthly. A Bill rating every Taxable of whatever Denomination to­wards the supporting Presbyterian Ministers and their poor Widows.

Fifthly, A Bill obliging every Body to attend Presbyterian Mettings, under Pain of Corporal Punishment for the first Offence, and Hanging for the second.

For the first Offence five Pounds to the Minister, and for the second Offence Excommunication from the Conversation of all Man kind, and to be given over to Satan to be buffered, till absolv'd by the Kirk. ^† such, my dear Countrymen, wou'd be the Effects of a Presbyterian Assembly, when properly tutor'd by the Government and their Preachers. The Presbyterian Policy therefore pursued with indefatigable Zeal, in this, [Page 17] and the Neighboring Province of New-Jersey ought to awaken the Atten­tion of every true Lover of his Country, and rouse all other Persuasions, to unite as one Man against them, being the most formidable and dangerous Enemies we have to cope with.

Let us next examine into the Charity of the Presbyterians so much boast­ed of, I will not say to other Societies; for that was never heard of; but even to their own distressed Brethren on the Frontiers.

I believe it will be as hard a Task to prove, that ever they, (consider'd as a Society) rais'd a general Contribution, of their own Money, for the Relief of the back Inhabitants, as it is to prove, that Quakers did so; and I think the most difficult Work of the two. Here I suppose some of their passionate Teachers will be ready to fly in my Face, and ask me, with an angry Tone, ‘if we did not give away Hundreds both at Lancaster Trea­ty, and afterwards, when every Body was raising Men for them, ex­cept Quakers.’ I readily own it. But the next Question is, pray Gen­tlemen, whose money were you so liberal of? Was it your own, or the cha­ritable contributions of the Good People of England and Ireland, put into your Hands for that Use?—If it was your own, then you have these charitable Donations still in your Pockets, to supply the Sums you have advanced, and pay you for your Disbursments. And if it was not your own, but the Money rais'd in England, that you and your Brethren pa­raded away upon at Lancaster. and since made such a Noise about your Cha­rity to the Inhabitants on the Frontiers, as I am apt to believe it was? why in the Name of Sense do you assume the Merit of it to yourselves, as if you were the only charitable, humane People in the Province.—Either you must candidly confess that this is the true State of the Case, or you have impos'd upon the generous People of Europe with false Notions.

As many of my Readers, (who are not of their Profession) may be un­acquainted with this Piece of Presbyterian craft, I shall unravel the whole Mystery of their iniquitous Scheme, contriv'd in their most sacred As­semblies, by the best and ablest of their Divines and Lay-Elders.

A few Years ago the Heads of this Society petition'd the Governor of this Province for a Charter to incorporate a certain Number of themselves, to raise Money for the Use of poor, distressed Presbyterian Ministers and their Widows; their Petition being granted with certain Powers and Limitations, the next Consideration was how to procured Fund. One of their own Members who had been a Pedlar, and consequently well qualified for such an undertaking, offer'd his Service. Having had his Education under Mr. T— [...], who was a Master Workman at begging, ha was universally approv'd of as one of their ablest Disemblers, fitted out with proper Cre­dentials, and sent abroad. At a secret Committee of this Corporation it was agreed on, that, as collecting Money for a Widows Fund, might prove but a dry subject to declaim on in Europe, their Delegate shou'd have a set of private Instructions directing him, that upon his Arrival, he shou'd make no Mention of the Widow's Fund, but get a Brief drawn up, setting forth the Miseries and Distresses of the back Inhabitants of Penn­sylvania; [Page 18] the vast Numbers of Christian Captives doom'd to perpetual Slave­ry, together with the absolute Necessity of contributing Money for their Re­demption. This was undoubtedly a crafty Scheme. For as the English had often contributed Money for the Redemption of Christian Captives in Africa, large Sums were generously given for these pious Uses; at which liberal Donations we need not be surpriz'd, if we can credit the Presby­terians themselves, who say, "that this very Deputy of theirs carried Home with him a Parcel of Squirrel Scalps▪ and when he had in Ireland, work'd up the Passions of his Audience by dismal and melancholly Relations of murder'd Ministers in the back Woods to a proper Degree of Fer­mentation; produc'd these as Proofs, declaring they were the Skins of their Heads that were barbarously and cruelly torn off by the wild Indians. In Consequence, I say, of this mournful Detail, the People were extreamly charitable; never once dreaming that three fourths of their Donations wou'd never be applied to the Uses for which they were given.—How­ever when the Cheat was discover'd innocently in England by one who was their very good Friend, but not in the Plot, the Pedlar slipt off, and left the best Part of his Pack behind him, which was detain'd, till proper Assurances were given from this Side the Water, that it shou'd not all be misapplied.—.To save Appearances then, an Address was presented to Governor H—n from a Deputation of this Presbyterian Corporation setting forth their Desire to advance a Sum of Money for the Re­demption of Captives, a Copy of which, with his Honor's Answer was sent to England to justify the Pedlar's Brief, and confute the sup­posed Aspersions of a certain Gentleman, however notwithstanding all this, as Truth will generally prevail he justify'd himself, by de­tecting their Falshoods, Malice and Knavery in a written Vindication, Sign'd by one of the P—rs, and Dr, Chandler, (the Head of the Presbyterians in England) and transmitted it over here, by way of a Looking-Glass for them to see themselves in; but they appear'd so ex­ceedingly ugly and deform'd they were asham'd to shew this Glass even to some of their own Brethren.

This Address and Answer were look'd upon by People of other De­nominations in this Province, as a severe Reflection cast upon them; as if Presbyterians were the only People here, who had the Redemp­tion of these poor Slaves at Heart; whereas it is well known that the large Presents made to the Indians by the Government in order to bring about a Pacification and Return of Prisoners were rais'd by an equal Assesment upon every Denomination.— After all; how fraudulent was it to collect Money for one Use, and then apply it to another. This Crime I apprehend is equal in Guilt to many made Capital in England: If so, what then did our Orator deserve who wickedly defrauded the Public, or what did those men deserve, who advis'd him to that base and unrighteous Mea­sure? How wicked and ungenerous was it for them to deceive their Be­nefactors by false Representations, and after they had obtain'd the Cash, to pocket three fourths of it for their own Use, and the remainder give a­way [Page 19] way at a Public Treaty for charitable Purposes as their own?—They took particular Care never to inform his Honor, or the Public, in their Ad­dress that they had receiv'd a Sum of Money from England to redeem their poor Countrymen in Bondage—no; this would be to act out of Character; for it must be all a deceitful, blind Piece of Deception from Begining to End.

When we seriously consider the Kind of an Establishment Presbyterians have obtain'd in the Midland Provinces of North America by Virtue of this Charter, and the particular Favors done for them by Governor Belcher in the Jersey; who procur'd them an exclusive Charter from the Crown for the Management of their College to the Detriment of all other Professions (for which Favors they are now gratefully paying his Majesty in Penn­sylvania, we ought all to be alarm'd, and try to stem the Torrent of Presbyterianism, which is pouring down upon us from the North Pole, and if not timely prevented, will, with more than vandalic Barbarity, bury us, our Religion and Liberties, in one general Inundation.

Prince-Town was chosen for the Seat of their College, because it was situated in such a manner that no Place of Worship was within many Miles of it, by which means, the Students wou'd be oblig'd to attend Presbyterian Preaching. This was an Artifice to erect Presbyte­rianism on the Ruins of all other Societies, and to instill their Mode of Worship, and Principles of Calvinism into the tender Minds of the Youth, who by the Time, they had taken their Degrees, wou'd either be Converts to Presbyterianism, or at least go away with favor­able Ideas of it.—It is well known that there is little or no Peace at this Seminary for the Students who retain their Integrity, and do not swallow all the wild, indigested Fumes of Enthusiasm taught by the New-Lights and their Followers. The Severity of their Discip­line has been carried so far very lately as to prohibit all Conversation between what they call the converted and unconverted (how fair soever their moral Character might be) till this holy Inquisition had set a Seal upon their Foreheads, as a Mark of their being absolutely elected; and by which Means they might be known to all the sancti­fied Children of true Presbyterianism.

The College in this City plan'd upon the Principles of Moderation and Liberty, and intended for the Use and Benefit of every Denomi­nation is now got into the Hands of a Presbyterian Faction. The Professors and Tutors being generally chosen of that Persuasion, lord it with such a high Hand over other Professions, that they are not contented with using their Power to keep all others out; but are in­defatigable in planing to thrust those out who differ from them that are in.

The Church of England, by charitable Contributions has rais'd six thousand Pounds Sterling for the Use of this Seminary, and to buy Bread for those who wou'd not let one of her Sons enjoy a Shilling of it if the [...] means prevent it. The Baptists have receiv'd [Page 20] no better Quarters from this College than the Church, and are drove to the Necessity of building one at Rhode-Island. The Number of Students greatly decrease, not caring to stay where there is so much Partiality shewn in Favor of a particular Society and generally return Home with their Heads stuff'd full of Vulgar Phrases, instead of that native Purity of their Mother Tongue they brought with them. The Honors of the Institution are so indiscriminately conferr'd in Fa­vor of Presbyterians, and with so little Discernment, that Leather-Bri­tches Makers, and Gentlemen are put upon the same Level. Such is the present Situation of our College, which might have been at this Day an Ornament to the Province, had it been carried on upon the Principles of Moderation, and Catholicism as was originally intended.

The Eligance and Politeness of these Presbyterian Divines, who set themselves up for Professors of Colleges will be handed down to Poste­rity to their immortal Infamy, in the two stupid Addresses they pre­sented to Governor F—n and Governor P—n. That they understand a little Latin and Greek I will not dispute, and perhaps may be some­thing acquainted with the logical, pedantic Rules of Aristotle, Anti Arminian, or Calvinistic Metaphysics, and some other Mystical Rhap­sodies; but that they understand Dignity of Style, Propriety and Elegance of Expression, let these two Addresses declare. The Plain Dealer tells us his▪ ‘Majesty will judge of Quaker and Presbyterian Loyalty; ac­cording to the substantial Proofs that each gives of it in Time of Danger.’ Half a Million of Money given to defend the Govern­ment, is certainly one substantial Proof of Quaker Loyalty; and what is a farther and stronger Confirmation of it, is, that they are heartily willing, and extreamly anxious that his Majesty shou'd take them under his immediate Protection and Government. They are not a­fraid of loosing their Charter; of being saddled with heavier Taxes; or paying Tythes to the Church Clergy, as this whiffling Politician squints at in one of his Observations.

Let us next consider what are the substantial Proofs of Presbyterian Loyalty. And here I will put the Public in Possession of a circular Apostolical Letter wrote by the Presbyterian Pope in Philadelphia, and his two Cardinals, to all the inferior Brethren and their Flocks through­out the Province, in order to deter them from becoming immediate Subjects of King George.

By this Letter his Majesty and the Public may plainly see what sort of Loyal Subjects Presbyterians are to him in this Government, who think it the greatest Curse that can befal them, to be reduc'd to the Form of a King's Government: Their Quarrel is not with a bad King, more than a good one; but their Abhorrence is to the very Form, which they utterly detest, as inconsistent with their Westminster platform, and a perpetual Check to the Rigor of their Discipline. The general Cry of modern Presbyterians, is to glory in the Revolution, and their firm Attachment to the House of Hanover; to lay all the Blame of former Rebellions at the Door of the Covenanters, and the Oppressions of the House of STEWART.—What kind of Affection they have for King George is evident in this Letter, by which they are sowing the Seeds of Disloyalty among the good People of Pennsylvania.—This however is quite agreeable to the Tenor of their Conduct under King William.

‘When the Presbyterian Commissioners return'd from King William in Flanders, and told the General Assembly of Scotland, that the King had positively declar'd, that he wou'd not any longer suffer them to op­press and persecute the Episcopal Subjects. The Moderators said open­ly [Page 22] that if it were not for the great Army he had with him he durst not have said so to them," And however, it wou'd have been wiser in him to have held his Peace, for they own'd no Master but Christ." One of them in a Sermon "declar'd, that King William design'd to dethrone. King Jesus." And the Moderator of the General Assembly imme­diately after it's Dissolution, reflected upon King William, as sent in Wrath to be a Curse to God's Kirk.—Another of their Preachers tells us that they brought in a Dog, (i. e. K. Wm.) for Gods Sake, and that he now began to bite the Bairnes i. e. the Children.—One Mr. Kennedy in the same Reign, before the General Assembly in which he was Moderator said in his Prayer, "Lord! Moderation is recom­mended to us by the King, and we all know that it is a Virtue that is sometimes useful, Lord; but I cannot say that which he calls Mode­ration now, is so convenient at this Time for thy People and Cause; for even to be free with thee, good Lord, I think it is best to make a clear House, by sweeping them out all at the Door, and casting them out to the Midden [Dunghill] i. e. other Professions.’

Mr. Borlands in Gallowshields pray'd thus, ‘O God! Thou hast bid­den us pray for Kings, and yet they have been always very trouble­some to thy Kirk; they say that this new King thou hast sent us, viz. King William takes the Sacrament from the Hands of a Bishop kneel­ing; ah!’ That's black Work, that's foul Work. Lord deliver him from Popery, and Prelacy; from a Dutch Conscience; and the Hard­heartedness of the Stewarts.

Thus it appears that nor only Covenanters, but the whole Body of Presbyterians are actuated by the same rebellious Principles since the Revo­lution, they were before; and that not even the Establishment of their Profession in Scotland can make them in Love with Monarchy. Is not the Language of these Quotations from their Moderators and principal Divines, exactly of a Piece with this treacherous Jesuitical Presbyte­rian Bull sent forth from the College of Philadelphia? Are these fit Men to have the Tuition of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects? To instill in­to the Youth an evil Idea of Royal Government; to instruct them, that a covetous, mercenary, avaritious, tyrannical hard-hearted land-Lord, who is for laying heavy Burdens on his Tenents, and will not touch them with one of his Fingers is to be preferr'd to our most gracious So­vereign; that his Majesty will ABRIDGE us of our Privileges, but we may be assur'd he never will ENLARGE them, or grant us any Favor; and lastly, that the Province may expect nothing but Ruin, Destruction and Desolation, the Moment we put ourselves under King George the Third.—Cou'd a Frenchman, cou'd a Spaniard entertain a worse Opi­nion of the glorious Constitution of Great-Britain? Yet these are the Men, who wou'd scarce have a Mouthful of Bread to support themselves or their Families, had it not been for his Majesty's Royal Bounty and Favor, in promoting a generous Collection by his own good Example; I say, these are the Men, who maliciously asperse his Crown and Dignity.

[Page 23]However some particular Friends have suffer'd themselves to be distrain'd upon, rather than pay Taxes towards carrying on the War, yet they have been always passive without the least murmuring. The Number that en­tertain these conscientious Scruples is but small, the Majority of that good People having always contributed their Quota as chearfully as any other Society. How therefore Presbyterians or those who write in their behalf, can have the Assurance to cast this in their Teeth, above all other People (when they know that they have carried this Point further than any Quakers ever did in the World) is a Piece of Effrontery that can only be fitted to their own Foreheads.

In a Book call'd the Hind let loose which is almost as sacred among them as the Confession of Faith, Page 701, I find this Declaration. ‘The exacting Taxations for maintaining the Army, and the paying of Subsidies, was, and remains to be a consuming crimson wick­edness, the cry whereof reaches to Heaven.’

In the same Author, Page 912, I find Words to this Purport, ‘The paying of Subsidies to the present Government, is to furnish that Party of the Dragon's Legions, in their War against Michael with Sup­plies, which no Body can excuse no more than sheding the Blood of their innocent Children to Molach.’ —Now did ever any Quaker make use of such vile Language against the Government? Did ever a Quaker reckon the granting of Supplies for the King's Use as crying a Sin as the sacrificing innocent Children to the Devil?

I appeal to the impartial Part of the Presbyterians themselves, if they think, that our Representatives can have any Thing else in View but the Good of their Country, in the Struggle they make in Behalf of the Liberties of the Province,—I have often heard that Parliament Men have been blam'd and censur'd for selling themselves and their Country, to wicked Ministers of State, for a Bribe, Place or Pension, but never for opposing illegal Taxes; arbitrary Power; or Ministerial Corruption.—The ever memorable Hambden in the Reign of Charles the 1st, rather than pay an illegal Tax of 30 S. (a much less Sum than 110 pounds demanded by the P—r according to his own Calculation) went to Jail; by which noble stand the Liberties of England were in a great Measure preserv'd. Must it not be an everlasting Blot in the Charac­ter of the Presbyterians, that they are the only People in P—a, a­mong all the Nations, Sects and Professions settled in it, that will as­sist a T—l Landlord to distress and oppress his Tenants;—a Land lord, who cannot be contented wirh his Legal Dues, but wants the Peo­ple to pay his Taxes for him into the Bargain, and if he cannot persuade them to pay the whole, wou'd rather (like Murtah O Lavery) take the one Third of a farthing, than go away with nothing at all.