not to the house of commons; who must have heard, that in those fanatick times, the presbyterian and independent commanders in the army, by military power expelled all the moderate men out of the house, and left a rump to govern the nation: lastly, not to the crown; which those very saints, destined to rule the earth, trampled under their feet, and then in cold blood murdered the blessed wearer.
But the session now approaching, and a clan of dissenting teachers being come up to town from their northern head quarters, accompanied by many of their elders and agents, and supported by a general contribution to solicit their establishment, with a capacity of holding all military, as well as civil employments, I think it high time that this paper should see the light. However, I cannot conclude without freely confessing, that if the presbyterians should obtain their ends, I could not be sorry to find them mistaken in the point which they have most at heart, by the repeal of the test, I mean the benefit of employments. For, after all, what assurance can a Scottish northern dissenter born on Irish ground have, that he shall be treated with as much favour as a true Scot born beyond the Tweed?
I am ready enough to believe, that all I have said will avail but little, I have the common excuse of other men, when I think myself bound by all religious and civil ties to discharge my conscience, and to warn my countrymen upon this important occasion. It is true, the advocates for this scheme promise a new world after this blessed work shall be completed: that all animosity and faction must immediately drop; that the only distinction in this kingdom will then be of papist and protestant: for, as to whig and tory,
