I'jgi. ON THE TEST ACT. 5'jf 



will fcruple to qualify by communicating in the Pref- 

 byterian form, no lefs than in the Epifcopal. 



2. Is its extenlion to Scotch Prefbyterians provided 

 for in any of the articles of the union ? This, nobody 

 who has eyes to fee, and curioiity to perufe the articles 

 themlelves, (a curioiity Ihamefully rare now a-days), 

 will aflert. It may be noticed, however, that in the 

 Englilh Parliament, a motion was made by the Arch- 

 bifhop of Canterbury, I believe, that the aft of parlia- 

 ment, intitled " An a6l for preventing, &.c. (the tefl 

 " aft), Ihould be inferted in the articles, and made a fun- 

 " damental condition of the intended union." Pari .deb. 

 vol. 5. 104. 



Which motion having been rejefted, twenty-two 

 noblemen prote{ted, becaufe " we conceive that this 

 " aft doth deferve to be particularly mentioned, and 

 " not left to double conftruftions :" Expreffions, by 

 the way, which plainly imply, that, in the opinion of 

 thefe noblemen, at leaft, the articles left the extenfion 

 of the teft to Prefbyterians undetermined. 

 * 3. Neither do any of the articles imply its extenfion 

 to Prefbyterians. On the contrary, feveral of them are 

 inexplicable on that fuppofition. For example, article 

 4th enafts, " that there be a communication of all o- 

 '-' ther rights, privileges, and advantages, which may 

 " or do belong to the fubjefts of either kingdom, e: ■ 

 ** cept where it is otherwife exprefsly agreed in thefe 

 " articles." As freedom and intercourfe of trade was 

 previoufly fpecified, therefore, " if all other rights'* 

 did not comprehend offices in the army, navy, revenue, 

 what do they comprehend ? But as fecuring the Pref- 

 byterian religion in all its rights. Sec. was declared to be 

 a tundamental and eiTential cond ition of the union, fo what- 

 ever rights are communicated to the Scots, are communi- 

 cated to Prefbyterians. But can that be faidtobe com- 

 municated to Prefbyterians, which previoufly to their 

 enjoying, they mtift profefs themlelves Epifcopals ? 

 But laying this contradiftion out of the queflion, at- 



VuL. III. f H 



