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Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform

A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 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

Contents of this annotation:

"To the friends of Pennsylvania and lovers of liberty. This Looking-glass is with much affection and great respect inscribed by a Pennsylvanian."--p. 3. Attributed to Isaac Hunt by Evans. Ascribed to the press of Anthony Armbruster by Evans. "Appendix. The substance, of a council held at Lancaster August the 28th 1764, by a committee of Presbyterian ministers .."--p. [25]-34. "A dialogue between a churchman in the country, and a Presbyterian in the city of Philadelphia."--p. 35-38. "A letter from a gentleman in Transilvania"--p. 38-43, signed: Jack Traveller, Weissenburgh in Transilvania, August 1st, 1764. Attributed to Isaac Hunt in the Dictionary of American biography. Signatures: [A]? B-E? [F]1 ([F]1 verso blank).