Letter VII

London, January 21, 1793

DEAR SIR,

MANY things in the misguided zeal of the year 1780 surprised me, but none more than that it

should so generally lead the good people of Scotland to think so highly of the man, who, to answer his own ends, put himself at the head of a religions party.

I am glad you agree with me, that it is well both for ministers and private christians to have as little to do with politics as possible. Your idea of a pit in the path pleases me. I am afraid it is a pit that will swallow up the life and spirit, if not the very form of the religion of many professors. The Lord reigneth, and every issue will be directed by infinite wisdom and goodness, without our interference. And can we wish them under better management? It is true he usually works by instruments, but there are some services which are not good enough for his own children. He can employ such men as compose the bulk of the French convention, as labourers and scourgers. Sennacherib with his blasphemies, executed his will no less than Hezekiah by his prayers. And he could do no more — he was thrown aside like an old broom, when the dirty work for which he was commissioned was performed. And there will always be dead sufficient to bury the dead.

I have told you why I cannot afford to write long letters. The Lord bless and guide you. Amen. I am

Yours sincerelv,
J. N

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