ficulties, sincerity of heart, and upright walk- nature, are equally entitled to the equity of this rule, and under the indispensable obligations of it. One man ought not to look upon another man or society of men, as so far beneath him, that he should not put himself in their place, in all his actions towards them, David in a great strait, when the sense of and bring all to this test, viz. How should I his past error, and the full expectation of an approve of this conduct, were I in their cir- impending calamity as the reward of it were cumstance, and they in mine?" united to aggravate his distress, after some deThis doctrine being of a moral unchange-liberation, saith, "Let me fall now into the able nature, hath been likewise inculcated in the former dispensation; "If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him; but the stranger that dwelleth with you, shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself." Had these people come voluntarily and dwelt amongst us, to call them strangers would be proper; and their being brought by force, with regret and a languishing mind, may well raise compassion in a heart rightly disposed: but there is nothing in such treatment, which upon a wise and judicious consideration, will in any way lessen their right to be treated as strangers. If the treatment which many of them meet with, be rightly examined and compared with those precepts, "Thou shalt not vex him nor oppress him; he shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself," there will appear an important difference between them. hand of the Lord, for very great are his mercies; let me not fall into the hand of man.” To act continually with integrity of heart, above all narrow or selfish motives, is a sure token of our being partakers of that salvation which "God hath appointed for walls and bulwarks," and is, beyond all contradiction, a more happy situation than can ever be promised by the utmost reach of art and power united, not proceeding from heavenly wisdom. A supply to nature's lawful wants, joined with a peaceful humble mind, is the truest happiness in this life; and if we arrive at this, and continue to walk in the path of the just, our case will be truly happy. Though herein we may part with, or miss of the glaring show of riches, and leave our children little else but wise instructions, a good example, and the knowledge of some honest employment; these, with the blessing of Providence, It may be objected that there is the cost of are sufficient for their happiness, and are more purchase, and risk of their lives to them who likely to prove so, than laying up treasures possess them, and therefore it is needful that for them, which are often rather a snare, than they make the best use of their time. In a any real benefit; especially to those, who inpractice just and reasonable, such objections stead of being exampled to temperance, are may have weight; but if the work be wrong in all things taught to prefer the getting of from the beginning, there is little or no force riches, and to eye the temporal distinctions in them. If I purchase a man who has never they give, as the principal business of this life. forfeited his liberty, the natural right of free- These readily overlook the true happiness of dom is in him; and shall I keep him and his man, which results from the enjoyment of all posterity in servitude and ignorance? "How things in the fear of God, and miserably subshould I approve of this conduct, were I instituting an inferior good, dangerous in the achis circumstances, and he in mine?" It may be thought, that to treat them as we would willingly be treated, our gain by them would be inconsiderable: and it were, in divers respects, better that there were none in our country. quiring and uncertain in the fruition, they are subject to many disappointments, and every sweet carries its sting. It is the conclusion of our blessed Lord and his apostles, as appears by their lives and doctrines, that the highest delights of sense, We may further consider, that they are now or most pleasing objects visible, ought ever to amongst us, and people of our nation were be accounted infinitely inferior to that real the cause of their being here; that whatsoever intellectual happiness, suited to man in his difficulty accrues thereon, we are justly charge- primitive innocence, and now to be found in able with, and to bear all inconveniences at-true renovation of mind; and that the comtending it with a serious and weighty concern forts of our present life, the things most of mind to do our duty by them, is the best we can do. To seek a remedy by continuing the oppression, because we have power to do it, and see others do it, will, I apprehend, not be doing as we would be done by. How deeply soever men are involved in dif grateful to us, ought always to be received with temperance, and never made the chief objects of our desire, hope, or love; but that our whole heart and affections be principally looking to that "city, which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God." Do we so improve the gifts bestowed on us, that our children might have an education suited to these doctrines, and our example to confirm it, we might rejoice in hopes of their being heirs of an inheritance incorruptible. came governor of Egypt, and famous for wisdom and virtue. The series of troubles which David passed through, few amongst us are ignorant of; and yet he afterwards became as one of the great men of the earth. This inheritance, as Christians, we esteem | the most valuable; and how then can we fail Some evidences of the Divine wisdom apto desire it for our children? O that we were pear in those things, in that such who are consistent with ourselves, in pursuing the intended for high stations, have first been very means necessary to obtain it! low and dejected, that Truth might be sealed It appears by experience, that where chil-on their hearts; and that the characters there dren are educated in fulness, ease, and idle- imprinted by bitterness and adversity, might ness, evil habits are more prevalent, than is in after years remain, suggesting compassioncommon amongst such who are prudently ate ideas, and in their prosperity, quicken employed in the necessary affairs of life. If their regard to those in the like condition. children are not only educated in the way This yet further appears in the case of Israel; of so great temptation, but have also the who were well acquainted with grievous sufferopportunity of lording it over their fellow-ings, a long and rigorous servitude; and then creatures, and being masters of men in their childhood, how can we hope otherwise than that their tender minds will be possessed with thoughts too high for them; which gaining strength by continuance, will prove like a slow current, gradually separating them from or keeping from acquaintance with that humility and meekness in which alone lasting happiness can be enjoyed. Man is born to labour, and experience abundantly showeth, that it is for our good: but where the powerful lay the burthen on the inferior, without affording a Christian education, and suitable opportunity of improving the mind, and a treatment which we, in their case, should approve, in order that themselves may live at ease, and fare sumptu- | ously, and lay up riches for their posterity, this seems to contradict the design of Providence, and I doubt not, is sometimes the effect of a perverted mind; for while the life of one is made grievous by the rigour of another, it entails misery on both. Amongst the manifold works of Providence, displayed in the different ages of the world, these which follow, with many others, may afford instruction. | through many notable events, were made chief amongst the nations. To them we find a repetition of precepts to the purpose abovesaid: though for ends agreeable to infinite wisdom, they were chosen as a peculiar people for a time; yet the Most High acquaints them, that his love is not confined, but extends to the stranger; and to excite their compassion, reminds them of times past, "Ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Again, "Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." If we call to mind our beginning, some of us may find a time, wherein our fathers were under afflictions, reproaches, and manifold sufferings. Respecting our progress in this land, the time is short since our beginning was small and number few, compared with the native inhabitants. He that sleeps not by day nor night, hath watched over us, and kept us as the apple of his eye. His Almighty arm hath been round about us, and saved us from dangers. The wilderness and solitary deserts in which our fathers passed the days of their pilgrimage, Abraham was called of God to leave his are now turned into pleasant fields; the natives country and kindred, to sojourn amongst are gone from before us, and we established strangers. Through famine, and danger of peaceably in the possession of the land, endeath, he was forced to flee from one king-joying our civil and religious liberties; and dom to another; yet, at length, he not only while many parts of the world have groaned had assurance of being the father of many under the heavy calamities of war, our habitanations, but became a mighty prince. Gene- | tion remains quiet, and our land fruitful. sis xxiii. 6. Remarkable were the dealings of God with Jacob in a low estate, the just sense he retained of them after his advancement, appears by his words: "I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies.” When we trace back the steps we have trodden, and see how the Lord hath opened a way in the wilderness for us, to the wise it will easily appear, that all this was not done to be buried in oblivion; but to prepare a people for more fruitful returns, and the remembrance The numerous afflictions of Joseph are very thereof ought to humble us in prosperity, and singular; the particular providence of God excite in us a Christian benevolence towards therein, no less manifest : he at length be- | our inferiors. If we do not consider these things aright, Therefore to examine and prove ourselves, but through a stupid indolence, conceive to find what harmony the power presiding in views of interest separate from the general us bears with the Divine nature, is a duty not good of the great brotherhood, and in pursu- more incumbent and necessary, than it would ance thereof, treat our inferiors with rigour be beneficial. to increase our wealth, and gain riches for our children; "What then shall we do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall we answer him? did not he that made us, make them? and did not one fashion us?" To our great Master we stand or fall, to judge or condemn us as is most suitable to his wisdom or authority; my inclination is to persuade, and entreat, and simply give hints of my way of thinking. If the Christian religion be considered, both respecting its doctrines, and the happy influence which it hath on the minds and manners of all real Christians, it looks reasonable to think, that the miraculous manifestation thereof to the world, is a kindness beyond expres sion. In Holy Writ the Divine Being saith of himself, "I am the Lord, which exercise lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." Again, speaking in the way of man, to show his compassion to Israel, whose wickedness had occasioned a calamity, and then being humbled under it, it is said, "His soul was grieved for their miseries." If we consider the life of our blessed Saviour when on earth, as it is recorded by his followers, we shall find that one uniform desire for the eternal and temporal good of mankind, discovered itself in all his actions. If we observe men, both apostles and others, in many different ages, who have really come to the unity of the Spirit, and the fellowship of the saints, there still appears the like disposition, and in them the desire for the real happiness of mankind, has out-balanced the desire of ease, liberty, and many times, of life itself. Are we the people thus favoured? Are we they whose minds are opened, influenced, and governed by the Spirit of Christ, and thereby made sons of God? Is it not a fair conclusion, that we, like our heavenly Father, ought in our degree to be active in the same great If upon a true search, we find that our nacause, of the eternal happiness of, at least tures are so far renewed, that to exercise rightour whole families, and more, if thereto capa-eousness and loving-kindness, according to our citated? ability, towards all men, without respect of persons, is easy to us, or is our delight; if our love be so orderly and regular, that he who doeth the will of our Father who is in heaven, appears in our view to be our nearest relation, our brother, and sister, and mother; if this be our case, there is a good foundation to hope, that the blessing of God will sweeten our treasures during our stay in this life, and that our memory will be savoury, when we are entered into rest. If we, by the operation of the Spirit of Christ, become heirs with him in the kingdom of his Father, and are redeemed from the alluring counterfeit joys of this world, and the joy of Christ remain in us, to suppose that one in this happy condition, can, for the sake of earthly riches, not only deprive his fellow-creatures of the sweetness of freedom, which rightly used, is one of the greatest temporal blessings, but therewith neglect using proper means for their acquaintance To conclude, It is a truth most certain, that with the Holy Scriptures, and the advantage a life guided by wisdom from above, agreeaof true religion, seems at least a contradic-bly with justice, equity and mercy, is throughtion to reason. out consistent and amiable, and truly beneficial to society; the serenity and calmness of mind in it, affords an unparalleled comfort in this life, and the end of it is blessed. Whoever rightly advocates the cause of some, thereby promotes the good of all. The state of mankind was harmonious in the beginning, and though sin hath introduced dis- And it is no less true, that they who in the cord, yet through the wonderful love of God midst of high favours remain ungrateful, and in Christ Jesus our Lord, the way is open for under all the advantages that a Christian can our redemption, and means appointed to re-desire, are selfish, earthly and sensual, do store us to primitive harmony. That if one suffer by the unfaithfulness of another, the mind, the most noble part of him that occasions the discord, is thereby alienated from its true and real happiness. Our duty and interest are inseparably united, and when we neglect or misuse our talents, we necessarily depart from the heavenly fellowship, and are in the way to the greatest of evils. I miss the true fountain of happiness, and wander in a maze of dark anxiety, where all their treasures are insufficient to quiet their minds: hence from an insatiable craving, they neglect doing good with what they have acquired, and too often add oppression to vanity, that they may compass more. "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their lattter end!” CONSIDERATIONS ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES; RECOMMENDED TO THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY OF EVERY DENOMINATION. PART THE SECOND. FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1762. "Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great: ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's." Deut. i. 17. PREFACE. ALL our actions are of like nature with their root; and the Most High weigheth them more skilfully than men can weigh them one for another. I believe that one Supreme Being made and supports the world; nor can I worship any other Deity without being an idolater, and guilty of wickedness. Many nations have believed in and wor shipped a plurality of deities; but I do not believe they were therefore all wicked. Idolatry indeed is wickedness; but it is the thing, not the name, which is so. Real idolatry is to pay that adoration to a creature, which is known to be due only to the true God. He who professeth to believe in one Almighty Creator, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and yet is more intent on the honours, profits and friendships of the world, than he is in singleness of heart to stand faithful to the Christian religion, is in the channel of idolatry; while the Gentile, who under some mistaken opinions, is notwithstanding established in the true principle of virtue, and humbly adores an Almighty power, may be of that number who fear God and work righteousness. above, by which all vicious inclinations are made subject; that they love God sincerely, and prefer the real good of mankind universally to their own private interest; though these through the strength of education and tradition, may remain under some speculative and great errors, it would be uncharitable to say, that therefore God rejects them. He who creates, supports and gives understanding to all men, possesses knowledge and goodness superior to the various cases and circumstances of his creatures, which to us appear the most difficult. The apostles and primitive Christians did not censure all the Gentiles as wicked men, Rom. ii. 14., Col. iii. 11.; but as they were favoured with a gift to discern things more clearly, respecting the worship of the true God, they with much firmness declared against the worshipping of idols, and with true patience endured many sufferings on that account. Great numbers of faithful Protestants, have contended for the Truth, in opposition to papal errors; and with true fortitude laid down their lives in the conflict, without saying, that no man was saved who made profession of that religion. I believe the bishop of Rome assumes a While we have no right to keep men as power that does not belong to any officer in servants for term of life, but that of superior the church of Christ; and if I should know-power; to do this with design to profit ouringly do any thing tending to strengthen him in that capacity, it would be great iniquity. There are many thousands of people, who by their profession acknowledge him to be the representative of Jesus Christ on earth; and to say that none of them are upright in heart, would be contrary to my sentiments. Men who sincerely apply their minds to true virtue, and find an inward support from VOL. IV.-No. 11. selves and our families by their labour, I believe is wrong; but I do not believe that all who have kept slaves, have therefore been chargeable with guilt. If their motives thereto were free from selfishness, and their slaves contented, they were a sort of freemen; which I believe hath sometimes been the case. Whatever a man does in the spirit of charity, to him it is not sin: and while he lives 51 and acts in this spirit, he learns all things the same spirit of charity, from a clear conessential to his happiness as an individual: vincement, may see the relation of one thing and if he doth not see that any injury or in- to another, and the necessary tendency of justice to any other person, is necessarily pro- each; and hence it may be absolutely binding moted by any part of his form of government, on them to desist from some parts of conduct, I believe the merciful Judge will not lay ini- which some good men have been in. quity to his charge. Yet others, who live in CONSIDERATIONS, &c. As some in most religious societies amongst the English are concerned in importing or purchasing the inhabitants of Africa as slaves; and as the professors of Christianity of several other nations do the like; these circumstances tend to make people less apt to examine the practice as closely as they would, if such a thing had not been, but was now proposed to be entered upon. It is however our duty, and what concerns us individually, as creatures accountable to our Creator, to employ rightly the understanding which he hath given us, in humbly endeavouring to be acquainted with his will concerning us, and with the nature and tendency of those things which we practice. For as justice remains to be justice, so many people of reputation in the world, joining with wrong things, does not excuse others in joining with them, nor make the consequence of their proceedings less dreadful in the final issue, than it would otherwise be. Where unrighteousness is justified from one age to another, it is like dark matter gathering into clouds over us. We may know that this gloom will remain till the cause be removed by a reformation, or a change of times, and may feel a desire from a love of equity, to speak on the occasion; yet where error is so strong, that it may not be spoken against without a prospect of some inconvenience to the speaker, this difficulty is likely to operate on our weakness, and quench the good desires in us; except we dwell so steadily under the weight of it, as to be made willing to endure hardness" on that account. Where men exert their talents against vices which are generally accounted such, the ill effects whereof are presently perceived in a government, all men who regard their own temporal good, are likely to approve the work. But when that which is inconsistent with perfect equity, has the law or the countenance of the great in its favour, though the tendency thereof be contrary to the true happiness of mankind, in an equal if not greater degree, than many things accounted reproachful to Christians; yet as these ill effects are not generally perceived, they who labour to dissuade from such things, which people believe accord with their interest, have many difficulties to encounter. The repeated charges which God gave to his prophets, imply the danger they were in of erring on this hand. "Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee, to deliver thee, saith the Lord." "Speak all the words that I command thee to speak to them; diminish not a word." "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor dismayed at their looks. Speak my words to them, whether they will hear or forbear." Under an apprehension of duty, I offer some further considerations on this subject, having endeavoured some years to consider it candidly. I have observed people of our own colour, whose abilities have been inadequate to manage the affairs which relate to their convenient subsistence, who have been taken care of by others, and the profit of such work as they could do, applied toward their support. I believe there are such amongst negroes; and that some people in whose hands they are, keep them with no view of outward profit, do not consider them as black men, who as such ought to serve white men; but account them persons who have need of guardians, and as such take care of them: yet where equal care is taken in all parts of their education, I do not apprehend cases of this sort are likely to occur more frequently amongst one sort of people than another. It looks to me that the slave trade was founded, and has generally been carried on in a wrong spirit; that the effects of it are detrimental to the real prosperity of our country; and will be more so, except we cease from the common motives of keeping them, and treat them in future agreeably to Truth and pure justice. Negroes may be imported, who for their cruelty to their countrymen, and the evil dis |