Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-09-02
From the Reformed Church Messenger.
From the Appendix TO An Original
History Ofthc Germans in Penn
sylynnia.
by 4. ID. Rupp.
No. i,


SIR l agree with you, thai the Polati-
nate is one of the best Countries in the
World whose natural fertility and plenty
is such, that there is none that RECEIVERS
itself sooner than it. But affairs at this
time are such, that it cannot be expected
that we should see it in that fourishing
condition it was formerly, when you saw
formerly, when you saw it in your Travels
During the War, our hopes to have our
condition better'd by the Peace that should
insue, made us cheerlully suffer, hoping TO
enjoy our Estates and Religion as formerly,
when hostlitics should cease.
But our expectations proved vain, for
though the War is ended, yet the wild
Boars are ravaging our Vineyards. But
these blood-thrsty Zealots for Religion,
though they differed from us in opinion,
yet we suffered them to dwell among us,
and were used kindly, for requital of which
kind usage, they are now turning us out OF
our Houses, and Churches. Thus those
whom we tolerated and protected amongst
us, are for eXtirpating and depriving us of
that shelter and countcnancc that we af-
forded them; by which means a new fire is
kindlcd here in the Pdldtindte, SO that we
Protestants are in as i'll q case, as tho
Preached Reformed are in France, and
worse than you were in England under the
ltlc hluo OuHUS III bllie, tutlt you iuu
only the storm hanging over you, but this
is fallen on our heads, TO the extirpating
the Protcstants, and their Religion out of
their Native Country, and this is to make
way for Popery, and a crew of INDECENT
LOnldlliStS who seek but for occasions to
profit by the ruin of such of their neigh
bors, that cannot adhere to them iI their
superstition.
With prcmission would here make some
reflections how consonant it is TO the
Princes Secular Interest to countenancc
Innovations contrary to the faith and
practice OF his predecessors, by which we
muy observe that none of the Romish per-
suasion are 10 be trusted, but they will
when opportunity offers itself omit nothing
to propagate their Religion, TO effect which
they will wade through all difficulties,
though they thereby sacrifice the Peace and
Riches Of their Country, and their faith
given so inherent is persecution to Popery
that to be n PaIist and Prosecutor may
bc looked upon rs convertible terms, that
imply the same thing.
These are those who arc for Damning all
that are not of their opinion, true mark
of Il bad Cause, that dare not trust God to
convert Souls his way, but to assist him in
his work will uso Fire Faggots, Dragons,
Force, Tcrrors, and all to cOnstrain those
that differ from them, to a compliance
but they consider not that Conscience can
not be forced, though the Will and Body
may consent and yield to forbid complianccs
yet the Conscience will ever bear inward
testimony against all such sinful consents,
let the imposing be never SO dreadful to
Nature for we arc taught not to fear men,
but Him that with the body can destroy the
Soul also.
But this is the sad State Of those Coun-
tries that fall into Popish hands, who sui-
fer themselves to be biased by n 5igotted
Clergy, by whom they are influenced to
become unnatural to their subjects, and
instruments of oycrturning the established
Foundation both ofChurch and State. Thus
the Popish Clergy becomes in Common
wealth, what Nermine are TO the fruits of
the earth, whom they destroy and consume
and so become the plague Of the Age and
Country whcrc-evcr they get footing.
Tho long exporionnH ofthesc truths might
open the eyes of Sovercigns, a.Ia - a.,
see tho scllishncss Of these, Ca{terp'!iars rs
How have they devoured the laity? and
Cloathed themselves with the fattest, and
tairest of their effects, How many families
have been impoverished to inrich Monas-
tcrics and Abbcys, and Religious Societies,
who arc SO many Nurseries Of Pride and
Idlencss /; so that the most numerous part
of the subjects are become the most useless
members ofthe Commonwealth where they
reside.
1t were to be wished, that Princes in this
Age, rs in the times of Reformation, knew
their interests so eflcctualy, rs TO Danish
that Vcrmine, and as in England convert
those incomes to better uses this is it that
hath mode your Island 50 powerful and
wealthy, as it is at this day, us also other
Countries and places where Church Lands
are possessed by the Laity, whereas in Po-
pish Countries the Clergy possesses one
half, in some three parts, and i'll others
more, which revenues il ifothcrwisc disposed
of rs in Protestant Countries, the Prince
and People would be proportionably rich
according to the rest of their Reformed
ncigh5ors. But. our Prince, not content
10 find Country lately fallen to him by
inheritance, disposed SO advantaacousy
for his interest by the constitution Of its
government, but he must bring in innOya-
tons, and not satisfied to enjoy such a
Principally as his Predecessors left him,
but nc must act so prejudiclally to his own
interests, and the ruin Of his subjects, by
settling his Religion at the cost of what is
taken from the right owners. 1t was not
so with Charles Louis, the former ElectOr
PGid!ine, who though Protestant, would
not suffer the Protestant Ministers, nor
indeed any other ofthc different pcrsuasions
to invcigh one against another althO, it
might be expected that this our Prince
might have retained tincturo Of such
principles, more especially being descended
from q Protestant offspring. But this
consideration hard for the Itomish party
is this day requited with ingratitudc.
Would to God, that our Prince would but
make reelection on the advantage and bene-
fits that did accrue to the Son of that
Prince, viz, Charles the last Protestant
Elector PGldtine. lie found the Country
in n flourishing condition, with q great
Treasure in Monies, all OF which were
marks of his Fathers prudence, by which
means he was enabled to support his Coun-
try, and protect those Of different pcrsua.
sions, that llocked to him from ali parts
as they used to do rs soon rs q peace is cs
Iablished, by which means his Country
was replenished with inhabitants, whicI
so long war had unpeoplcd, and having
suitable priyiledges granted them wer(
thereby Encouraged TO be inhabitants auC
to increase Trade. Thus the PaIati,dt
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