Accept my good Friend tha my thanks for your kind Letter of the 22 ult and for the Pamphlets enclosed in ^with it^, which ^they^ came to my Hands on the 2 Inst.1 The state of my Health is such, that I can read or write but little at a Time without Fatigue; and therefore I cannot prudently venture on the Task you recommend—

Whether war of every Description is prohibited by the Gospel, is one of those Questions ^on^ which [illegible] the Excitement of any of the Passions ^can produce no Light^— an answer to it can result only from careful Investigation and fair reasoning—

It appears to me that the Gospel not only recognizes the whole moral Law, and extends and perfects our Knowledge of it; but also that enjoins on all Mankind the observance of it. Being ordained by a Legislator of Infinite wisdom and Rectitude, and in whom there is “no variableness” it must be free from Imperfection, and therefore never has, nor ever will require amendment or alteration. Hence I conclude that the moral Law is exactly the same now, that it was before the Flood—

That all ^those^ Wars and Fightings occasioned[?] by ^are unlawful, which proceed from^ culpable Desires and Designs (or in Scripture Language, by ^from^ Lusts) on the one Side or ^on^ the other, and [illegible] on both sides is too clear to require Proof. Wise and good Men in all ages have agreed in condemning such Wars as violation of the Moral Law. As to wars of an opposite Description, and many such there have been, I believe they are as lawful ^to the unoffending Party^ in our Days as they were in the Days of Abraham— He waged war against and defeated the five Kings— He piously dedicated a tenth of the Spoils; and instead of being blamed, was blessed—

What should we think of a human Legislator, who should instate[?] authorize or encourage Infractions of his own Laws? If wars of every kind and Description are prohibited by the Moral Law, I for my part see no way of reconciling such a Prohibition with those parts of Scripture which record Institutions Declarations and Interpositions of the Almighty, which manifestly evince the contrary?— If every war is sinful— How [illegible] did it happen that the Sin of wageing ^waging any^ war, is not so much ^as^ named or specified among the numerous Sins and Offences which are ennumerated ^mentioned^ and reproved in both the Testaments?

To collect and arrange the ^many^ Facts and Arguments which bear ^relate^ on ^to^ this Subject, would require more time and application than I am able to bestow. The aforegoing Facts are suggested ^hinted^ merely to exhibit some of the Reasons on which my opinion rests—

It certainly is very desireable that a pacific Disposition shd. prevail among all Nations— The most effectual way of producing it, is by ever extending the Prevalence and Influence of the Gospel— Real Christians will abstain from violating the Rights of others, and therefore will neither ^not^ provoke nor offer{?} [illegible] just Purpose ^war^—

Almost all nations have peace or War at the pl will & pleasure of Rulers ^whom they do not elect &^ who are not always wise or virtuous. Providence has given to our People the choice of their Rulers, and it is the Duty as well as the Priviledge ^and Interest^ of our christian nation to select ^& prefer^ Christians ^for their^ Rulers—

The Sentiments expressed in the Extract from your Brother’s Letter correspond with his benevolent Disposition and, He has been “diligent in well doing”,2 and his works will not cease to recieve as well as deserve commendation— When you write to him, assure him of my Esteem and Regard—

I thank you for the Kind Wishes expressed in the Conclusion of your Letter— Things T they refer to Topics on which I have being been accustomed to meditate, and are far more important than any which are belong to this transient Scene— With the best Wishes for your Welfare in the most enlarged Sense I remain yr. obliged Friend