Accept my thanks for your obliging Letter of the 31 ult. and for the Pamphlets which were inclosed with it.1 I hope the

The Institution of Sunday Schools is in my opinion calculated to do good extensively, and in various Respects. I hope they will ^I hope they will become more general.^

On the Subject of War and capital Punishments, my Sentiments do not altogether correspond with those of some ingenious writers—

The moral Law, which binds all Mankind, having been ordained by infinite Wisdom and Goodness, must be perfect and consequently unchangeable. I therefore believe that it has continued, and will continue the same, from the Beginning to the End of the world. I also believe that if war [an]d2 capital Punishment had been contrary to ^forbidden by^ the moral ^Law,^ the Divine Legislator would never have commanded, nor authorized, nor encouraged any of the human Race, to engage in War, nor to put criminals to Death— as to murderers— I think it is not only lawful for Governmt., but that it is the Duty of Governmt. to put them to Death. The Gospel has mercifully provided Relief for us from the Penalties of the moral Law, but I cannot find that it has made a single alteration in it.

In my opinion there have been just and lawfull wars, as well as unjust and unlawful wars— It certainly is desireable that the wars should become less frequent, I am and the Recurrence of them in this Country cannot probably be more efficaciously checked, than by promoting Christianity, and by electing christian Rulers— Such men will will neither provoke war by aggression, nor be guilty of waging war unjustly against other Nations—

Praise is due to those who endeavour to turn public opi^ni^on against unjust Wars; but Zeal against any war [illegible] ^and every war, without Exception^ [d]oes not appear to me to be a “Zeal according to Knowledge.”3

These are Topics to which Justice cannot be done in a few Lines— I suggest these Hints merely as Intimations of my opinion ^which I have no Desire either to conceal or obtrude.^

I shall by little and little peruse the Pamphlets in question; and shall not cease to retain a grateful Sense of the friendly Motives which induced you to send them—

With the best wishes for your Health and prosperity I am, Sir, your obliged and obedient Servant.