THE following is the form of the Petition framed by the order of the Synod. It has received upwards of 14,000 signatures of Free Presbyterians and others.
“Unto The Honourable The Commons of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled:—
The Petition of the undersigned members and adherents of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and others, humbly sheweth:—
“That they view with sorrow and alarm the efforts that are being put forth to have the King’s Statutory Protestant Declaration and Oath changed: that they declare their profound conviction that no valid reason can be given why the said Declaration and Oath, in which the Sovereign expresses his entire disavowal of the principles and doctrines of the Papacy, should be altered: that, should the Sovereign’s vows, promises, and engagements to uphold the Protestant and Presbyterian religion be, in this manner, tampered with, the allegiance of Protestants to the King’s Throne will be greatly imperilled: and that they strongly protest against any alteration being made, substantial or even verbal, in the terms of the King’s Statutory Protest and Declaration. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc.”