to prove, that the Almighty who hath created and placed this new world,
at the greatest distance it could possibly stand, east and west, from
every part of the old, doth, nevertheless, disapprove of its being
independent of the corrupt and abandoned court of Britain, unless I
say, ye can shew this, how can ye on the ground of your principles,
justify the exciting and stirring up the people "firmly to unite in the
abhorrence of all such writings, and measures, as evidence a desire and
design to break off the happy connexion we have hitherto enjoyed, with
the kingdom of Great-Britain, and our just and necessary subordination
to the king, and those who are lawfully placed in authority under him."
What a slap of the face is here! the men, who in the very paragraph
before, have quietly and passively resigned up the ordering, altering,
and disposal of kings and governments, into the hands of God, are now,
recalling their principles, and putting in for a share of the business.
Is it possible, that the conclusion, which is here justly quoted, can
any ways follow from the doctrine laid down? The inconsistency is too
glaring not to be seen; the absurdity too great not to be laughed at;
and such as could only have been made by those, whose understandings
were darkened by the narrow and crabby spirit of a despairing political
party; for ye are not to be considered as the whole body of the Quakers
but only as a factional and fractional part thereof.

Here ends the examination of your testimony; (which I call upon no man
to abhor, as ye have done, but only to read and judge of fairly;) to
which I subjoin the following remark; "That the setting up and putting
down of kings," most certainly mean, the making him a king, who is yet
not so, and the making him no king who is already one. And pray what
hath this to do in the present case? We neither mean to set up nor to
pull down, neither to make nor to unmake, but to have nothing to do
with them. Wherefore, your testimony in whatever light it is viewed
serves only to dishonor your judgement, and for many other reasons had
better have been let alone than published.

First, Because it tends to the decrease and reproach of all religion
whatever, and is of the utmost danger to society to make it a party in
political disputes.

Secondly, Because it exhibits a body of men, numbers of whom disavow
the publishing political testimonies, as being concerned therein and
approvers thereof.

Th