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A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 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 Ministersand their poor Widows.

Fifthly, A Bill obliging every Body to attend Presbyterian Meetings, 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,

†. Vide Knox's Leturgy.

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