2492. on the internal state of America. 43 
the divines and philosophers of a century ago, seems 
at least very questionable. Only they regarded 
as sins what we call natural principles. They regar- 
ded them with the detestation due to vice, we with that 
cool philosophy that finds fault with what it esteems 
the order of nature. 
~ [thank you for your account of the present state 
of patronage in the church of Scotland. I think 
indeed with you, that your friends Have taken too 
great an interest in your affairs. I-am not sur- 
prised that the people fhould e¢lamour against 
such an abuse, and fhould desert the establithed 
church. An American, who has fought so many 
_ years for the enjoyment of his own consent, views, 
perhaps, with a peculiar kind of horror, such an en- 
croachment upon the most sacred rights of men. At 
best, men who contribute to fasten such fhackles 
upon themselves, must be greatly lost to honour and 
virtue; not to say that it appears utterly inconsis- 
tent with the allegiance which a minister of the gos- 
pel owes to truth, to religion, and to himself. 
The Americans ought to thank every Briton for, 
his cautions against the remaining pride of his 
country, and the rancour of those that govern it, and 
_ have been disappointed in a favourite object. Iam 
afraid indeed that the Americans, confident from 
their late succefs, are too secure. They have a pride 
mot unlike that of the nation from which they are 
sprung ; and because prudent generals have once de- 
fended us against our finvaders, witha small army, 
together with afsistance of a militia always rea- 
dy to run to arms, they are ready to imagine that 
