A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 21
The Presbyterians here, upon mature Deliberation, are of opinion, that it is is not safe to do Things of such Importance rashly; Our Privileges by these means may be greatly abridged, but will never be enlarged.
We are under the Kings Protection and Government now as much as we can be, for he will never govern us in Person, and it is of no great Consequence whether his Deputy be recommended by the Proprietaries, or by some other great Men to his Majesty.
Our Charter is in Danger by such a Change, and let no Man persuade you to the contrary. There has been a half yearly Meeting of the Quakers in this City, but this Change of Government has not been propos'd in their Meeting, as we can yet understand, nor is it approv'd of by the Heads of that Society.
This Affair is in all Probability, a Trap laid to ensnare the unwary, and then to cast an Odium on the Presbyterians for ruining or attempting to ruin the Province. The Frontier Counties are now suing for a Redress of Grievances, and we have the greatest Reason to believe that it is no more than an artful Scheme to divide or divert the Attention of the injur'd Frontier Inhabitants from prosecuting their Petitions, which very much alarm them. For these Reasons we wou'd earnestly recommend it to you to lose no Time in advising all under your Influence, whether of our Denomination or others, from signing any such Petition—
Sign'd per Order—
G. T—t
F. A—n
I. E—g
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
