fc* 
 
 4\ 
 
 1 
 
 A) £v*vi {* - 
 
*> 
 

\ } 
 
 \ 
 
COLLECTION 
 
 O F 
 
 Religious Tra&s, 
 
 In Proportion as we die to the Love of material Objects 
 and earthly Affections, we advance in a fpirimal 
 Growth : we break our Bands afunder, and rife in- 
 to the Liberty of the Sons of God, The pronenefs 
 of the human Mind to confine itfelf to the Objects of 
 Senfe, joined to the inordinate Love of them ; 
 flrengthened by Example and Cuftom, do fo famili- 
 arize material Mature to the Thoughts of the learn- 
 ed and unlearned, that by Degrees, they become, 
 as it were, chained down to it; hence fo great a 
 Number fail under the Predicament of the Apoftie, 
 Judeverfe 19. «« Senfual not having the Spii it." 
 
 Pref. to Sweden g ." 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 Printed by Joseph Crukshank, in Third- 
 ftreet, oppofite the Work-houfe. 
 
 M,DCC,LXXIII. 
 
SERIOUS 
 
 CONSIDERATIONS 
 
 On feveral Important 
 
 SUBJECTS; 
 
 VIZ. 
 
 On War and its Inconfiftency with the 
 Gospel. 
 
 Obfervations on Slavery. 
 
 and 
 
 Remarks on the Nature and bad Effects of 
 Spirituous Liquors. 
 
 Ah! \V hy will men forget that they are Brethren, 
 
 why delight, 
 
 In human Sacrifice ?-— — Why burft the ties 
 
 Of Nature, that fhould knit their Souls together, 
 
 In one foft band of Amity and Love. 
 
 Father of men, was it for this! 
 Thy breath divine, kindled within his breaft, 
 The vital flame ? For this, was thy fair Image 
 Stampt on his Sou!, with god-like lineaments? 
 For this, dominion given him abfolute 
 O'er all thy works, only that he might reign 
 Supreme in woe? /p ^f : ,p\ ProteTJS. 
 
 PHILA^DELHIA: 
 
 Printed by JOSEPH CRUK SHANK, in Market- ftree*; 
 Between Second and Third-ftrcsts, 1778. 
 
CHRIST our Lord, to whom every knee muft bow, 
 and every tongue confefs, either in mercy or in 
 judgment, came down from his father's glory, took up- 
 on him our nature and fuffered death for us, to reftore 
 to us that firft life of meeknefs, purity and love, that 
 being dead to fin, we fhould live unto righteoufnefs. 
 Leaving us an example, faith the Apoftle, that we 
 ihould follow his fteps. He pofitively enjoins us, to 
 love our enemies, to blefs them that curie us; to do 
 good to thofe that hate us, and pray for them which 
 defpitefully ufe us and perfecute us. A new command- 
 ment, faith our bleffed Saviour, I give unto you, 
 that ye love one another as I have loved you. The 
 meek, the merciful and the pure in heart are by him 
 pronounced to be the particular objects of divine re- 
 gard. Thefe are the watch words of Chriftianity 
 to all the true followers of Chrift. 
 
 On -the other hand, War requires of its votaries that 
 they kill, deftroy, lay wafte, and to the utmoft of 
 their power diftrefs and annoy, and in every way and 
 manner deprive thofe they efteem their enemies of 
 fupport and comfort. Now reader, confider the dif- 
 ference; look at the fuffering and cMrefs which 
 has, and continues to defolate this once highly 
 favoured land ; numbers of human beings, equally 
 with pur felves the objects of redeeming grace, are 
 daily hurried into eternity, many, its to be feared, in 
 an unprepared ft ate ; and if upon comparing the one 
 with the other we feel compunction, if we are moved 
 with companion toward our fellow-men, let us cherilh 
 this fenfation; it is a call from the God of Love, the 
 beneficent father ot mankind, whom the Apoftle de- 
 nominates, under the appellation of love. God is 
 Love — and he that dwelleth in God dwelleth in love 
 and God in him. x 
 
 ^3 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 / 
 
 Nature of WAR, &c/ 
 
 WAR, confidered in itfelf, is the pre- 
 meditated and determined deflructi- 
 on of human beings, of creatures originally 
 formed after the image of God , and whofe pre* 
 fervation, for that reafon, is fecured by hea- 
 ven itfelf within the fence of this righteous 
 law, that at the hand of every man's brother, 
 the life of man fball be required. And though 
 this created image of our holy God muft be 
 owned to have been ft> wretchedly defaced, 
 as to retain but a very faint refemblance of 
 its divine original; yet as the higheft enforce- 
 ment of that heavenly law, which was pub- 
 lifhed for the fecurity of life, it is mod gra- 
 cioufly renewed by the incarnation of the 
 fon of God, and the indwelling of the Holy 
 Ghoft. 
 
 The apoftle James, chap. 4th, hath anfwer- 
 ed the queftion with refpect to the caufe of 
 war, in fo precife and determinate a manner 
 as to preclude all difficulty and doubt about 
 it ; from whence comes wars and fighting amongfl 
 you, lays he, come they not hence^ even of your 
 
 lufls, 
 
( 4 ) 
 lufls, that war in your members : Te kill and 
 defire to have, and cannot obtain: Te fight and 
 war, yet have not, becaufe ye ajk amifs, becauie 
 ye have no refpect to the will of the Lord that 
 reigneth, but rorfaking the Supreme Good in 
 ■whom alone your happinefs confifls, ye fol- 
 low an earthlv and deceitful good, and think 
 Only of procuring it by your power. James 
 iv, 3. Te ajk and receive not, becaufe ye ajk 
 amifs, from a fuppofed refpect to the Lord that 
 reigneth, but, too generally, for animal and 
 fenfual enjoyment, that ye may confume it upon 
 your lufls. In this very explicit and true ac- 
 count, war, like ail other evils, is defcribed 
 as centering in itfelf ; and the end of it is 
 declared to be gratification of thofe very ap- 
 petites and paflions, from which it derives its 
 birth; for in this unhappy circle, which is 
 indeed the great circle of the hiftory of man, 
 the fatal mifchief proceeds. War is the infe- 
 f arable 'union between the fenfual and malignant 
 fajfions ; war prot railed to a certain period, ne- 
 cejfarily compels peace; peace revives and extends 
 trade and commerce; trade and commerce give 
 new life, vigour, andfccpe to the fenfual and ma- 
 lignant pajftons , andthefe naturally tend to gene* 
 rate another war. 
 
 The diforders of nature and of life are 
 "wholly the effects of fin, of a voluntary aver- 
 sion and alienation from the life, lighc and 
 love of God; in perfect, union, with which 
 perfect peace and happinefs are only to be 
 found; hence that difcordance of the out- 
 ward 
 
( s ) 
 
 ward elements, which brings forth peftilence, 
 famine, earthquakes, dorms, and tempefts; 
 hence, in the corporal part of the human 
 frame, pain, ficknefs, and death; in the 
 mental, fenfuality, pride, and malignity, in- 
 cluding all the felfifh and wrathful paffions, 
 that between individuals, engender envy, ha- 
 tred, injury, relentment, and revenge; and 
 between nations, a peculiar kind of enmity 
 and wrong, that ilTues ia war. Surrounded 
 with evil as men are, and full of evil them- 
 ielves, what would become of the whole 
 wretched race, at any given initant of time, 
 at this very moment for example, if the ef- 
 fect of that evil were not continually fufpend- 
 ed, and directed by infinite power; fo as to 
 become continually fubfervient to the pur- 
 pofes of infinite wifdom, righteoufnefs, and 
 love. 
 
 It would be needlefs to mention the nature 
 of that univerfal redemption which is pro- 
 pofed by the gofpel; if in this age of levity 
 we were not fo apt to forget it. It is, in 
 general, a full reftoration of the life of God 
 in the foul; the life of the Father, Son, and 
 Holy Spirit, which was once the life and 
 perfection of fallen man, which the Son of 
 God, the bruifer of the ferpent, has by his 
 fuffering, been reftoring, to human nature 
 from the time in which Adam fell. 
 
 When the Son of God became incarnate, 
 
 what was implied in this red oration as the 
 
 effect of its influence upon man, was fully 
 
 A 3 evident 
 
( 6 ) 
 evident from our bleffed Saviour's doctrine 
 and his life; namely, the conqueft and re- 
 nunciation of the world, the death of the 
 will, and of all the appetites and paflions of 
 fallen animal nature, through faith in his 
 
 name not an hiftorical and fpeculative 
 
 faith, a mere rational affent to the truth of 
 a well attefted hiftory of facts and doctrines; 
 but a full, ardent, continual defire of the life 
 cfChrift, as begotten and formed in the foul, 
 by the continual operation of the Holy 
 Ghoft. Thus what was at firft the perfonal 
 duties of (ingle chriftians, when they were 
 fcattered over the face of the earth, and 
 were only parts of different nations, became 
 afterwards national duties, when whole nati- 
 ons became chriftians. If, therefore, to love 
 cur enemy, to forgive him, to do him good, and 
 fray for him; if to overcome the world, whofe 
 power confifts in the lufl of theflefb, the lufl 
 ef the eye, and the pride of life, are chriftian 
 perfonal duties, if to love the Lord our God, 
 *with all our heart, with all our foul, with all 
 cur mind, and with all cur ftrength, and our 
 fellow -creatures as ourfelves, is the purity and 
 perfection of the chriftian perfonal life, the 
 fame muft alfo be true of a chriftian national 
 duty; for a chriftian nation differs no other- 
 wife from a chriftian perfon, than as the 
 whole differs from one of the parts of which 
 it effentially confifts. 
 
 It would be needlefs to propofe this fub- 
 ject to the confideration of experimental 
 
 chriftians, 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 chriftians, who know with certainty, that 
 human nature left to itfelf, has no power 
 but that of producing mere evil, and that 
 every thing within it and without it, that is 
 either great or good, is the free gift of grace, 
 the unmerited bounty of redeeming love, 
 But the true chriftian fpirit being much de- 
 parted from the earth, true chriftian know- 
 ledge, as its infeparable companion, is de- 
 parted with it, and men feem to be gone 
 back again to their old animal life; and 
 tho' in fpeculation and idea they profefs an 
 aflentto the truths of revelation, yet in heart 
 and practice they are apt to confider the 
 courfe of all things as connected only with 
 temporal good and evil, and themfelves as 
 the center and circumference, the firil caufe, 
 and the lafl end of all, afcribing to human 
 under ft and'mg, defigns which only infinite Wifi 
 dom can form, and to human \ power , events which 
 Omnipotence only can produce. If the chriftian, 
 however, recollects himfelf, he will find war 
 to be a fad eonfequence of the apoftacy, and 
 fall of man, when he was abandoned, to the 
 fury of his own lufts and pailions*, as the 
 natural and penal effects of breaking looie 
 from the divine government, the fundamen- 
 tal law of which is love; Thoufhall love the 
 Lord thy God with all thy heart 9 with all thy 
 foul, with all thy mind, with all thyftrength, 
 and thy fellow-creatures as thyfelf. 
 
 The 
 
 * Wars, fays Auguftine, are fpeetacles by which 
 the devil cruelly fports with mankind. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 The confequences of war, when imparti- 
 ally examined, will be found big, not only 
 • with outward and temporal diftrefs, but alio 
 with an evil that extends itfelf (wherein the 
 darknefs and tumult of human paflions, it is, 
 by many, neither expected nor conceived to 
 reach) even into the regions of eternity. 
 That property is confounded, fcattered, and 
 deftroyed ; that laws are trampled under 
 foot, government defpiied, and the ties of all 
 civil and domeiHc order broken into pieces; 
 that fruitful countries are made delarts, and 
 flately cities a heap of ruins, that matrons 
 and virgins are violated ; and neither the in* 
 nocence of unoffending infancy, nor the im- 
 potence of decrepit age, afford protection 
 from the rage and thirfl for blood; this is but 
 the mortal progeny of this teeming womb- 
 of tnifchief; the word, even the dreadful 
 effect: it has upon the immortal foul, is ftill 
 behind; and tho' remote from thofe fenfes 
 and paflions that are exercifed only by pre- 
 fent good and evil, mud yet, upon the lead 
 recollection, imprefs with horror every mind 
 that believes there is a righteous God, and a 
 ftate of retribution, that is to laft forever. 
 Under thefe confiderations,, what mull the 
 real chriftian feel; he who is fully convinced 
 that the fall of man, is a fall from meeknefs, 
 purity, and love, into fenfuality, pride, and 
 wrath; that the Son of God became incar- 
 nate, and fullered and died to reftore that 
 firft life of meeknefs, purity, and love; and 
 
 that 
 
( 9 ) 
 that for thefe ir> whom the reiteration of 
 that life is not begun, in the prefent ftate 
 the Son of God incarnate, it is to be feared, 
 fuffered and died in vain. What muft he 
 feel for thole immortal fpirits, who in the 
 earlieft dawn of their day of purification, 
 are by hundreds and thousands driven into 
 eternity, in the bitternefs of enmity and 
 wrath— —fome inflamed with drunkennefs, 
 fome fired with lull; and all flamed with 
 blood? In tbofe direful conflicts, which are 
 maintained with fo much rage, that when 
 the vanquished, at laft, retreats with the lofs 
 of twenty thou/and human beings^ the victor 
 finds he has purchafed fome little advantage, 
 at the expence of more than half that num- 
 ber*. Heaven and earth! what a poflibility 
 is here of a facrifice made to the prince of 
 darkmfsy the flrft and chief apoftate, who re- 
 joices in beholding men, through the abufe 
 
 of 
 
 * SmoIIet, in his Hiftory of England, fpeaking of 
 the battle of Cunerfdorf, where the Pruffians, attacked 
 the Mufcovites, in the year 1759, fays, «« The carnage 
 *? was truly horrible, above twenty thoufand Pruflhns 
 " lay dead on the field. The lofs of the Ruffians 
 " amounted to tea thoufand." He adds, '< That at no 
 " time fince the days of ignorance and barbarity, have 
 tl the lives of men been fquandered away with fuch 
 ct profufion, as in the eourie of this German war. 
 «• They have not only been unnecefTarily facrifked» 
 •* in various exploits of no confequence, but have been 
 " lavifhly expofed to all the rigour and diftempers of 
 •• winter campaigns— in defpite of nature, and in coa- 
 ts tempt of humanity." 
 
( io ) 
 
 of thofe benefits which undeferved mercy 
 has conferred upon them, transformed into 
 enmity and hatFed of God and their brethren; 
 forfaken by God, and deftroying one ano- 
 ther, and thus haftening once more into his 
 horrid fociety ; that having been accomplices 
 in his rebellion, they may become partakers- 
 of his mifery and torment. 
 
 Now if the man of valour, whom confent- 
 ing nations have dignified with the title of 
 hero, and the man devoted to the world, are 
 afked, From whence this immortal mifchief, 
 that may thus extend its influence into the 
 regions of eternity, can proceed, what mull 
 they anfwer? indeed what can they anfwer, 
 but that it is engendered by the love of 
 
 human glory as vain a phantom as ever 
 
 played before a mad man's eye; by the luft of 
 dominion, the avarice of wealth, or fome 
 other purfuit that centers in this prefent 
 life. May all thofe who are called to be the 
 followers of Chrifi be preferred from thefe 
 eatthly, thefe fenfual and malignant motives \ 
 fo repugnant to the generous, companionate 
 and forgiving temper, which, through the 
 influence of redeeming mercy, is concomi- 
 tant with the pure beams of heavenly light, 
 that light which is intended to remove all 
 the darknefs of human corruption, and 
 transform felfifli, fenfual, proud fpirits, into 
 angels of patience, humility, meeknefs, pu- 
 rity and love ; the children, and heirs of God; 
 the brethren, and joint heirs of Chrift* . 
 
 All 
 
( « ) 
 
 All external bleffings, whether national or 
 perfonal, are curfes, .when they become the 
 fuel of the fenfual and malignant fire in cor- 
 rupt nature, when they not only alienate the 
 mind from the Lord that reigneth, but mad- 
 den it to impious rebellion and defiance 
 againft him. If ye will not lay it to heart to 
 give glory unto my name ', faith the Lord of Ho/Is , 
 / will even fend a curfe upon your bleffings. 
 Malachi ii, 2. From the foregoing, it is 
 evident, that Chriflians can have no intereft 
 in war, they cannot derive bleffings from its 
 fuccefs, nor triumph and exult, when to the 
 fhort lighted view of the human mind, the 
 appearance of fuccefs prefents itfelf; thefe 
 know, that the means are infinitely difpro- 
 portionate to the end, and our Redeemer 
 himfelf, in the revelation of his future 
 judgments, upon a fallen and obftinate evil 
 world, has declared, that, he that leadeth 
 into captivity fhall go into captivity , and he that 
 killeth with the fword, mujl be killed with the 
 fword. Rev. xiii, 10. Here is the trial of the 
 faith, and patience of the faints, who being 
 called to a date of fufTering, and treading in 
 the footfteps of their great exampler, when 
 they are reviled \ revile not again : IV hen they 
 fuffer, threaten not, but commit themfelves to tjie 
 Lord that reigneth to him that judgeth right e^ 
 oufly, Peter ii, 23. And to this folemn de- 
 claration of righteous judgment; the pen- 
 man of that awful book, calls upon all man- 
 kind to attend, and fays, If any man have an 
 
C fr ) 
 
 ear, an ear that is not totally deafened by the 
 tumultuous paflions of nature, feparated 
 from God, and turned wholly to itfelf, let 
 him now hear; let him now repent, and for- 
 faking his own fenfual and malignant will, 
 feek after the God of peace and love, and 
 live. 
 
 Exsract from LAW's Addrjess to ths 
 CLERGY. 
 
 THE temporal miferies and wrong which 
 are the fad effects of war, are neither, to be 
 
 numbered or exprefled. What theivery 
 
 bears any proportion to that which with the 
 boldnefs of drum and trumpet, plunders the 
 innocent of all they have? and if themfelves 
 are left alive, with all their limbs, or their 
 daughters unravifhed, they have many times 
 only the aflies of their confumed houfes to 
 lye down upon.- — What honour has war 
 gotten, from its thoufands and tens of hun- 
 dreds of thoufands of men Slaughtered on 
 heaps, with as little regret or concern as at 
 loads of rubbifh thrown into a pit. — —Who 
 
 ' but the fiery dragon, would put a wreath 
 of laurel on fuch heroes head? Who but 
 he, could fay unto them, Well done, good and 
 
 faithful ferv ants. But there is dill an evil of 
 war much greater, though lefs regarded, ap- 
 parent to thofe who reflect, how many hun- 
 dreds of thoufands of men, born into this 
 world, for no other end, but that they may, 
 by being born again of Chrift, from fons of 
 
 Adam's 
 
( 13 ) 
 Adam's raifery, become fons of God, and fellow* 
 heirs with Chrift> in everlafiing glory, who 
 reflects, I fay, what namelefs numbers of 
 thefe are robbed of God's precious gift of 
 life to them, before they have known the 
 one fole benefit of living, who are not buf- 
 fered to flay in this world, till age and ex- 
 perience have helped them to know the in- 
 ward voice and operation of God's fpirit, 
 have helped them to find and feel that evil, 
 curfe, and fling of fin and death, which mull 
 be taken from within them, before they can 
 die the death of the righteous ;whoinfteadoi this, 
 have been either violently forced or tempted 
 in the fire of youth, and full ftrength of fin- 
 ful lufts, to forget God, eternity, and their 
 own fouls, and rum into a kill or be killed, 
 with as much furious hafte and goodnefs of 
 fpirit, as tyger kills tyger for the fake of his 
 prey. Amongft unfalien creatures in hea- 
 ven, God's name and nature is love, light, 
 
 and glory to the fallen fons of Adam, 
 
 that which was love, light, and glory in 
 heaven, becomes infinite pity and compafirofi 
 on earth; in a God, cloathcd with the na- 
 ture of his fallen creature, bearing all its in- 
 firmities, entering into all its troubles, and 
 in the meek innocence o^ a lamb of God; 
 living a life and dying a death of all fuffer- 
 ings due to fin. Sing! O ye heavens! and 
 fhout all ye lpwer parts of the earth, for this 
 is our God, that varies not, whofe Erik creat- 
 ing love knows no change, but into a re- 
 B deeming 
 
( M ) 
 
 .deeming pity towards all his fallen creatures. 
 Look now at warring Chriftendom, what 
 fmalleft drop of pity towards finners is to be 
 found in it ? or how could a fpirit, all hellifh, 
 more fully contrive and haften their deftruc- 
 tion; it flirs up and kindles every paffion of 
 fallen nature, that is contrary to the all- 
 humble, all- meek, all loving, all-forgiving, 
 
 all-faving fpirit of Chrift it unites, it 
 
 drives, and compels namelefs numbers of un- 
 converted finners to fall murderingand mur- 
 dered, amongft flafhes of fire, with the wrath 
 and fwiftnefs of lightning, into a fire infi- 
 nitely worfe than that in which they died — 
 O fad fubject for thankfgiving days, whether 
 in popifh or pioteftant churches ; for if there 
 is ?l joy of all the angels in heaven for one/inner 
 that repent eth, what a joy muft there be in 
 hell, over fuch multitudes of finners, not 
 liiffered to repent? And if they who have 
 converted many to righteoufnefs, fhallfh\ne as the 
 Jlars in the firmament forever ', what Chorazin 
 woe may they not juftly fear, whofe proud 
 wrath, and vain glory, have robbed fuch 
 jiumberlefs troops of poor wretches, of all 
 time and place of knowing what righteouf- 
 nefs they wanted, for the falvation of their 
 immortal fouls*. Here my pen trembles in 
 jny hand — But when,OI when will one fingle 
 
 chriftian 
 * Mod lamentable was the calamity, or rather griev- 
 ous judgment, which hefel the Englifh State, by means 
 of the inteftine wars which prevailed between the two 
 Houfes of York and Lancafter, ia fupport of their claim 
 
 to 
 
( H ) 
 chriftian church, people, or language, trem- 
 ble at the {hare they have in this death of 
 
 finners Again, would you further Teethe 
 
 fall of the univerfal church, from being led 
 by the Spirit of Chrift, to be guided by the 
 infpiration of the great fiery 'dragon, look 
 at all European Chriitendom failing round 
 the globe, with fire and fword, and every 
 murdering art of war, to feize the pofteflions* 
 and ileal or kill the inhabitants of Africa and 
 
 the Indies. What natural right of man, 
 
 what fupernatural virtue, which Chrift bro'c 
 down from heaven, is not here trodden un- 
 d^e'r foot? all that you ever read or bear- 
 ed of heathen barbarity, was here outdone 
 by chriftian conquerors. What wars of 
 chriftians againft chriftians, blended with 
 fcalping heathens, have ftained the earth and 
 the feas with human blood, for a miferable 
 fhare in the fpoils of a plundered heathen 
 world; a world which mould have heard, 
 or feen, or felt nothing from the followers 
 of Chrift, but a divine love, that had forced 
 
 them 
 
 to the crown. We are told in Hiftory, That above 
 one hundred thoufand men perifhed in ine feveral con- 
 flicts, which enfued on that debate, with great numbers 
 of the principal men of the nation, amongft whom were 
 more than fifty ot the royal blood, who laid down their 
 lives either in b,attle, or by the hands of the public ex- 
 ecutioner. And here an awful confiderarion occurs — • 
 What did either party obtain by this lamentable devas- 
 tation and deftruction of their fellow creatures, their 
 countrymen, their brethren, called to be heirs of the 
 fame falvation. 
 
( 1* ) 
 
 them from diftant lands, a»nd through the 
 perils of long feas, to vifit Grangers, with 
 thofe glad tidings of peace and fafvation, to 
 all the world, which angels from heaven, 
 and ihepherds on earth, proclaimed at the 
 birth of Chriil* 
 
 But to know whe her chriftianity admits 
 of war, chriftianity is to be conftdered as in 
 its right ftate; now the true ftate of the 
 world, turned chriftian, is thus defcribed by 
 the great Gofpel-prophet, who fhewed what 
 a change it was to make in the fallen ftate 
 
 of 
 
 # It is frequently urged in favour of war, that our 
 Saviour near the time of his paflion, gave directions to* 
 his difciples to take their fwords. The pafTage is as 
 follows, Luke xxii, 35. «' When I fent you without 
 purfe, or fcrip, lacked ye any thing? and they faid, 
 Nothing. Then he faid into them, But now he that 
 hath a purfe, let him take it, and likewife his fcrip ; 
 and he that hath no fword let him fell his garment, 
 and buy one. And they faid, Lord, behold here are 
 two fwords. And he faid unto them, It is enough." 
 Now from what follows in the context, it appears this 
 paiTage ought not to be taken literally, but rather as 
 ;.bme annoters fay, to be underftood as an emblem of 
 the dangerous fituatlon they were in, as we find at Mat. 
 ;:xvi, § 1 . " And behold, one of them which were with 
 Jefus, ftretched out his hand, and drew his fword, and 
 ilruck a fervant of the high prieft, and fmoteoffhis ear. 
 Then faid jeius unto him, Put up again thy fword into 
 liis place; for all they that take the {word, (hall perifn 
 with the fword." This agrees wi h the anfwer made 
 liy our Saviour to Pilate. John xviii, 36. " My king- 
 dom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this 
 world, then would my fervants fight; that I fhould 
 not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom 
 aot from hence. 
 
( *7 ) 
 of the world; It Jhall come to pafs, in the lafh 
 day.*, that the mountain of the Lord's houfe Jhall 
 be ejlablifhed in the top of the mountains, and 
 all nations Jhall flow into it, and many people 
 Jhall Jay, Let us go up to the mountain of the 
 Lord's houfe. and he will teach us of his ways, 
 and we will walk in his paths, Ifa. ii, 2 . Now 
 what follows from this going up of the na- 
 tions to the mountain of the Lord's houfe, 
 the holy prophet exprefly tells you in the 
 following words: They jhall beat their fwords 
 into plow-Jhares, and their Jpears into pruning' 
 hooks ; nation fhall not lift up its fword againjl 
 nation, tj-neit her Jhall they learn war any more* 
 Ifa. ii, 4. Mic. iv, g. This is the prophet's 
 true Chriftendom, with one and the fame 
 eflential divine mark fet upon it; as when the 
 Lamb of God faid, By this Jhall all men know, 
 that ye are my difciples, if ye love one another ; 
 as I have loved you, John xiii, 34. Chrift's 
 kingdom is no where come, but where the 
 works of the devil are deilroyed, and men 
 are turned from the power of fatan unto 
 
 God God is only another name for the 
 
 highefl and only good, and the highefl and 
 only good means nothing elfe but love, with 
 all its works. Would you farther fee when 
 and where the kingdoms of this fallen world 
 are become a kingdom of God, the Gofpel- 
 prophet tells you, that it is then and there 
 where all enmity ceafeth. The wolf, faith he, 
 Jhall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard Jhall 
 lye d&wn with the kid; the calf and the young 
 B 3 lion. 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 lion, and the fatling together, and a little child 
 Jhall lead them. The cow and the bear Jhall J<ed, 
 and their young ones Jhall lye down together; and 
 the lion Jhall eat Jtraw like the ox. Thejucking 
 child fljall play on the hole oj the ajp, and the 
 weaned child pall put his hand on the cockatrice- 
 den Jor they Jhall not hurt and deftroy in 
 
 all my holy mountain, Ifa. xi, 6. See here a 
 kingdom of God on the earth; it is nothing 
 elfe but a kingdom of meer love, where all 
 hurt and deflroying is done away, and every 
 work of enmity changed into one united 
 power of heavenly love — but obferve again 
 and again, whence this comes to pafs, that 
 God's kingdom on earth is, and can be no- 
 thing e\£e, but the power of reigning love; 
 the prophet tells us, it is becaufe in the days 
 of his kingdom the earth Jhall be Jull oj the 
 knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the 
 fia." 
 
 Hence we are enjoined, by our bieffed 
 Saviour, to pray for, and continually to 
 'watch over every fuggeftion of our corrupt 
 minds, which may impede the accomplish- 
 ment of thefe gracious promifes : Thy kingdom 
 tome, Thy will be done in earth, as it is done in 
 heaven. The frequent accounts we meet with 
 in the Old Teftament, of wars being carried 
 on in the time of the law, gives no fancuon 
 to. the fame practice under the gofpel; as this 
 lad difpenfation is a wonderous difplay of di- 
 vine benignity and love, pronouncing thofe 
 only bkfied, who are found in the actual 
 
 poffeffioa 
 
( m ) 
 
 pofTefllon of that poverty of fpirit, that meek* 
 nefs and purity of heart, which was pointed 
 out in types and ceremonies, under the law j 
 hence the gofpel difpenfation is declared to 
 be the bringing in of a better hope, by which iv&- 
 draw nigh unto God, Heb. vii, 19. 
 
 We are chriftians, not Jews, and are there- 
 fore required to attend to the inftruction and 
 practice of our great and good example^ 
 Jefus Chrift, who was declared from heaven 
 to be the beloved Son of God \ and whole ap- 
 pearance on earth was uihered in by the an- 
 gels and heavenly host, with a pubikatioa 
 of peace on earth, and good will towards men. 
 The prophecies which pi eceded our Saviour's 
 coming, clearly pointed to the greater ex- 
 cellency of the difpenfation, which was to 
 take place when He, the peaceable Shiloh, the. 
 defire of nations fbould come, unto whom the 
 gathering of the people was to be, Hag. ii, 7. 
 
 The primitive chriftians bore a teftimony 
 to the inconfiftency of war with the gofpeh 
 Robert Barclay, in his Apology, fays, f That 
 " this was the judgment of mod (if not all) 
 " the ancient fathers, (fo called) the firft three 
 " hundred years after Chrift. They affirm- 
 u ed the prophecies of Ijaiah and Micah, re» 
 " fpecling the peaceable reign of the Mem* ah, 
 " to be fulfilled in the chriftians of their 
 *' time."* Many of the Reformers favoured 
 
 the 
 
 * Origen (who wrote in the beginning of the third 
 century) confirms this in his anfwer to Celfus, a mod 
 
 wruient 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 the fame fentiment, particularly John Wick- 
 lhT; the firft eminent inftrument raifed in 
 oppofition to the errors and corruptions 
 then prevalent in the world; of whom we 
 are told in the account of his life,* " That 
 " he thought the whole trade of war was 
 " finful." 
 
 We find by the accounts we meet with in 
 John Fox's A6ts and Monuments of the Church, 
 that the fame tefiimony againft war was 
 maintained amongft the followers of Wick- 
 liff. This appears more particularly, from a 
 representation, called Conclufions and Reforma- 
 tions, laid before the parliament, by thofe 
 firft Reformers, the 17th of Richard the lid, 
 in the year 1 395, as mentioned vol. I. p, 579. 
 It farther appears from what John Fox calls, 
 " The godly Declaration of Walter Brute;" 
 of whofe fufferings for the truth, he gives 
 us a large account, at page 555* An extract 
 of the laid Walter's expreffions, on that 
 head, are as follows, viz. 
 
 " I marvel why wife men, leaving the 
 " plain and manifeft doctrine of Chrift, 
 cc whereby he teacheth patience, do feek cor- 
 " ners of their own imagining, to the intent 
 * { they may approve fightings and wars; 
 
 " why 
 
 virulent adver/ary, who had charged the chriftiafts 
 with refufmg to bear arms, and to enter into military 
 employment. Origine contra Celfum, lib. 8. p. 426, 
 Cantab, editio. 
 
 * Life of John Wickliff, &c. by W. Gilpin. 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 <l why mark they not after what manner 
 <£ Chrift fpake to Peter, finking the high 
 " bifhop's fervant, faying, Put up the Jword 
 " into thejbeath; for every one that Jball take 
 *•* the /word, [hall per -ijh with the [word." 
 
 Again ; " the apoftle writing to the Corin- 
 " thians, as touching judgment and conten- 
 " tion, which are matter of lefs weight than 
 " are fightings ; he writeth, Now verily there 
 " is great fault in you, that ye be at law 
 " amongft yourfelves; why rather take ye 
 " not wrong? why rather fufFer yenotde- 
 " ceit. And that apoftle generally in all his 
 " epiftles, teacheth, that patience fhould be 
 " kept, and not corporal refinance by fight- 
 " ings, becaufe charity is patient, it is conr- 
 " teous, it fuffereth all things. I marvel how 
 " they juftify, and make good the wars by 
 " chriftians. laving only the wars againft the 
 " devil and fin. For feeing that it is plain, 
 " that thofe things* which were in the Old* 
 cc Teftament, were figures of things to be 
 " done in the New Teftament-, therefore we 
 " mufl needs fay, that corporal wars being 
 " then done, were figures of the chriflian 
 " wars againft fin and the devil, for the 
 " heavenly country, which is our inheri- 
 * tanee." * 
 
 In 
 
 * Wicklift thought all arts which adminiftered to the 
 luxuries of life, were prohibited by the gofpel The 
 fcripture, he faid, tells us, that having food a7zd raiment , 
 we Jhould be therewith content, Beiiiner, tho' a popifh 
 
 writer. 
 
( » ) . 
 
 In the times which preceded our Saviour's 
 appearance on earth, " every battle of the 
 " warrior was with confufed noife, and gar- ' 
 " rnents rolled in blood;" but the warfare 
 which was to be introduced by Him, the 
 Prince of Peace, of the increafe of whofe 
 government there is to be no end, was to 
 be " with burning and fuel of tire," * Ifaiah 
 ix, 5. to the deftruction of the man of fin, 
 the corrupt propenfity of nature, and efta- 
 blifhment of that purity of heart and uni- 
 verfal love, which the gofpel propofes. 
 
 The apoftle tells the believers, Eph. vi, 12. 
 " That they warred not after the flefh." 
 
 2 Cor. 
 
 writer, gives a very favourable account of WilcklifPs 
 difciples. He fays theys they were men of a ferious, 
 modeft deportment, avoiding all oftentation in drefs; 
 chafte and temperate; never feen in taverns, or amufed 
 
 by the trifling gaieties of life that they utterly de- 
 
 fpifed wealth, being fully content with bare necefia- 
 ries.f — -Hence it appears that thefe firft Reformers, 
 as well as the primitive chriftians, took our Saviour's,, 
 injunction, Mat. vi, 19. Lay not up for yourf elves treafure? 
 upon earthy in a more literal fenfe than it has been un- 
 derftood by many high profeffors in more later days. 
 They were fenfible of the truth of his declaration, 
 Mark x, 23. That it would be hard for thofe that had ac- 
 cumulated riches, had added houfe to houfe and field to 
 field, to enter the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 * This expreffion, Of the increafe of 'whofe government , 
 there is to be no end, appears to point out, that the pre- 
 valency of the fuffering fpirit of the gofpel in the world, 
 is to be a gradual work, which will be brought about 
 under fuffering to the followers of Chrift, as it was to- 
 their Mafter, who nvas made perfett through fuffering. 
 f Gilpein's life of Wickliff. 
 
( n ) 
 
 2 Cor. x, 4. " That the weapons of their war- 
 " fare were not carnal, but mighty through 
 " God, to the puliing down the ftrong holds, 
 " catting down every imagination, and high 
 " thing which exalteth itfelf againfr. the 
 " knowledge of God, and bringing into cap- 
 . u tivity every thought to the obedience of 
 " Chrift." It was by meeknefs and patient 
 fuffering, that our Saviour overcame and 
 gave a deadly blow to fin; leaving us an ex- 
 ample that we mould follow his footfteps. 
 " Learn of me," fays this blefTed Redeemer, 
 " for I am meek and low, and ye fhall find 
 " reft to your fouls. BlefTed are the meek, 
 " the merciful, and thofe who hunger and 
 " thirft after righteoufnefs," (with this blef- 
 fed promife) " for they lhall be filled. Blef- 
 <c fed are the peace-makers, for they fhall be 
 " called the children of God," Mat. v. 
 And to his difciples, when he fent them to 
 preach the Gofpel, he fays, " Behold I fend 
 " you as lambs amongft wolves." The evan- 
 gelick prophet had a clear profpecr, of the 
 abafement and fufFerings of our Saviour, 
 when he fays, " He was oppreffed and af- 
 " flicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he 
 " is brought as a lamb to the flaughter, and 
 " as a fheep before her fhearers is dumb, fo 
 " he opened not his mouth," If a. liii, 7. 
 
 The efficacy of this fuffering fpirit of Chrift 
 was contrary to the natural will, and a myf- 
 tery to the reafoning part in man; " it was 
 " to the Jews a ftumbling-block, and to the 
 
 " Greeks, 
 
( M ) 
 cc Greeks, foolifhnefs;" and fill! remains a 
 myftery to the " wifdom of the world," 
 i Cor. i, 22. 
 
 Our Saviour himfelf, in the courfe of his 
 precepts, clearly diftinguifhed the greater, 
 purity of the doctrine he was about to efta- 
 blifli, from the imperfectnefs of that prac- 
 tifed in the former difpenfations; Mat. v. 
 " Ye have heard that it hath been faid to 
 
 " them of old times an eye for an eye, 
 
 " and a tooth for a tooth, but I fay unto 
 " you, that ye refifl not evil." Again: 
 " Ye have heard that it hath been faid, 
 " thou fhail love thy neighbour, and hate 
 " thine enemy, but I fay unto you, love 
 " your enemies,* bltfs them that curfeyou, 
 46 do good to them that hate you, and pray* 
 " for them which defpitefully ufe you and 
 u perfecute you, that ye may be the children 
 "■ of your Father which is in heaven, "f 
 
 Hence we have reafon to believe, that the 
 injunction and allowance granted to the 
 Jews, of making war upon their enemies, and 
 one upon another; was inconfequeaceof that 
 hardnefs of heart, which prevailed amongii; 
 them; and that this permiflion was granted 
 
 from 
 
 # It is certainly as eafy to reconcile the greateft con- 
 tradiction as thefe declarations of our Lord's with the 
 pr a dice of war,r<?/£/? not evil, with dijlrefs and a?inoy thofe 
 we are contending with; love your enemies with contrive 
 every method tofpoil, to make a prey cf, and purfue them nvitb 
 fire and fword. 
 
 \ A new commandment I give unto you, that ye 
 love one another as I have loved you, Job. xiii, 34. 
 
( *5 ) 
 
 from the fame motive, as that mentioned by 
 oar Lord, when the Jews were pleading the 
 licence given them by Mofes, to put away 
 their wives, and marry other women: Mark 
 x, 5. " For the hardnefs of your hearts, 
 " Mofes wrote you this precept ; but from 
 " the beginning of the creation God made 
 
 " them male and female what therefore 
 
 * God hath joined together, let no man put 
 " afimder." This, as well as war, flavery, 
 an other practices of the like nature, were 
 a violence upon that union, purity, and bro- 
 therly love, which fubfilled in the beginning, 
 in the original conftitution of things, whilifc 
 man retained his primitive innocency. And 
 that the fpihing of human blood was not ac- 
 ceptable in the eyes of perfect Purity, who 
 the apoftle denominates under the appella- 
 tion of love, God is Love^ appears from the 
 prohibition laid upon king David, not to 
 build an houfe unto God, on account of his 
 having been concerned in the deftruclion of 
 fo many of his fellow creatures, as himfelf 
 declared, 1 Q&rott.. xfxii, 8. Ci The word of 
 " the Lord came to me, faying. Thou haft 
 " fhed bloodabundantly,and hail madegreat 
 64 wars; thou Ihalt not build an houfe unto 
 ct my name, becaufe thou hail med much 
 " blood upon the earth in my fight," 
 
 That pious, learned man, bifhop Taylor, 
 chaplain to king Charles the Ift, in his de- 
 dication to his Di/cour/e on the liberty of Pro- 
 phefyingt printed in London, 1702J appears 
 C to 
 
( ^ ) 
 
 to have had a clear profpect of what muft j 
 be the genuine efFecr. of the doctrine and ' 
 power, which our bleffed Saviour came to ■ 
 communicate to mankind, even that inex- 
 preflible love, which breathing peace and 
 goodwill to every individual, knows of no 
 enemy; but, in Jefus Chrift, embraces with 
 brotherly affeclion, the whole creation. He 
 expreffes himfelf as follows at page 3, &c. 
 u As contrary as cruelty is to mercy, tyran- 
 *' ny to charity; fo is war and bloodfhed, 
 " to the meeknefs and gentlenefs of the chi i- 
 €c ftian religion. I had thought, fays he, of 
 " the prophecy, That under the gofpel, our 
 * c fwords mould be turned into plowmares, 
 cc and our fpears into pruning-hooks : I 
 e< knew that no tittle fpgken by God's Spi- 
 iC rit, mould return unperformed and inef- 
 " feclual; and I was certain, that fuch was 
 " the excellency of Chrift's doctrine, that if 
 " men would obey it, chriftians mould never 
 * c war one aganft another." 
 
 Observations 
 
OBSERVATIONS 
 
 O N 
 
 SLAVERY. 
 
 THE Slavery which now fo largely fub- 
 fifts in the American Colonies, is ano- 
 ther mighty evil, which proceeds from the 
 fame corrupt root as War; for, however, 
 it may he granted thatfome, otherwife, well 
 difpofed people in different places, particu- 
 larly in thefe provinces, at firil fell into the 
 practice of buying and keeping Slaves, thro' 
 inadvertency, or by the example of others;- 
 yet in the generality it fprang from an un- 
 warrantable defire of gain, a luff, for amaf- 
 fing wealth, and in the pride of their heart, 
 holding an uncontroulable power over theis? 
 fellow-men. The obfervation which the 
 Apoftle makes on War, may well be applied 
 to thofe who compelled their fellow-men to 
 become their flaves, they lufted, for wealth 
 and power and dejired to have, that they might 
 con/urns it upon their luffs* 
 
 It 
 
< *8 ) 
 It is a very afflictive confederation, that J 
 aoCwitManding the rights and liberties of 
 mankind have been ib much the object of * 
 pubiick notice, yet the fame corrupt prin- 
 ciples tiill maintain their power in the minds 
 of moft Slave Holders. Indeed nothing can 
 moie clearly and poflitively militate againft 
 the flavei y of the Negroes, than the leveral 
 declarations lately publifhed, with fo great 
 an appearance of folemnity, thro' all the co- 
 lonies, viz. " We hold thefe truths to be felf 
 < e evident, that all men are created equal, 
 " that they are endowed by their crea- 
 c ? tor with Certain unalienable rights; that 
 ** among thefe are life, liberty, and the pur- 
 fct fuit of happinefs." And " That all men are 
 " by nature equally free and independent, 
 * 4 and have certain inherent rights, of which 
 • ; when they enter into a ftate of fociety they 
 ci cannot by any compact, deprive or divert 
 " their property, namely the enjoymeat of 
 6C life and liberty, with the means of acquiring 
 * c and pofleiling property, and purfuing and 
 * c obtaining happinefs and fafety." That 
 after thefe, and other declarations of the fame 
 kind, have been {o publickly made to the 
 world, Slavery "fhould continue in its full 
 force in the Colonies; and even in fome ca- 
 fes, its bands fhould, by Law, be farther eftab- 
 iifhed,* is a great aggravation of that guilt 
 
 which 
 
 * By a Law of the Province of North- Carolina* 
 
 Mav myj. All Slaves who have been fet free, except 
 
 ' ' by 
 
C.*9 ) 
 
 which has fo long lain upon America; and 
 which together with the blood of the Native 
 Indians, fo daringly fpilt, f is likely to be 
 one of the prinpcial caufes of thofe heavy 
 judgments, which are now fo fenfibly dis- 
 played over the Colonies. Perhaps nothing 
 will fo fenfibly teach us to feel for the afflic- 
 tion of the opprefTed Africans, as that our- 
 felves partake of the fame cup of diftrefs, we 
 have fo long been inftrumental in caufing 
 them to drink. If we look back to early 
 times, and bring to our remembrance what 
 we ha\^ heard from our fathers, relating 
 to the firfl introduction of Negroes amongft 
 us, we mail have reafon to conclude, that 
 there were but few of thofe concerned in 
 thofe purchafes, who were not in fome 
 meafure acquainted with the dreadful cala- 
 mities introduced in Guinea, in order to 
 procure Slaves for the American Market. 
 They had doubtlefs heard fomething of 
 thefe accounts; they faw their afflicted fel- 
 low-men, after being by the ravages of war 
 deprived of all property, and cruelly rent 
 C 3 from 
 
 by licenfe firft obtained from the County court, for 
 what faid court lhall judge to be a meritorious iervice, 
 fhall be feized and fold by the fheriff to the higheft 
 bidder. 
 
 f Many of the Indians in this and the neighbouring 
 provinces have at different time been treacheroufly and 
 cruelly murdered, particularly in the town of Lan- 
 caster and the neighbouring mannor of which little 
 judicial inquiry has been made, in order to bring the 
 murderers to juftice. 
 
< 30 ) 
 from every tender connexion in their native 
 land, brought to America, and there fold 
 like beafts for burden or flaughter; yet we 
 have too much reafon to conclude that but 
 little fympathy was extended to them, few, 
 very few, even amongft profefTors, endea- 
 voured, on their behalf, " To fee k judgment, 
 €t to relieve the opprejfed; to plead for the J at her- 
 cc leys, and to judge for the widow \ few mourned 
 <c with thofe that mourned;" people faw their 
 affliction and h eared the doleful ftory of 
 their particular cafes with little or no fellow 
 feeling, indifferency prevailed ; there was 
 too much of a joining infpirit with thofe who 
 <c hadflain with the /word, and had carried info 
 * c captivity" arifing from a fecret fatisfac- 
 tion, at the profpect of having an opportuni- 
 ty, thro' the Slaves labour, of encreaflng 
 their fubftance, and amaffing much wealth, 
 In the acquirement and poffeflion of which, 
 a proper regard not being had, " to the will 
 * £ of the Lord that reigneth" there has been 
 fent a curfe upon what they efleemed a blef- 
 Jing; their riches have proved as wings to 
 xaife their children above truth and real hap- 
 pinefs: The offspring of many of thefe are 
 ilill living in idlenefs and pride; whilft other's 
 are noting in diffipation and luxury. If the 
 good and juft father of mankind is now 
 arifen to plead the caufe of the opprefTed 
 Africans, and to bring the matter home to 
 ourfelves; who can fay, what doeft thou. 
 Will not the Americans, amongft whom the 
 
 efiablifhment 
 
( 3» ) 
 
 eftablifhment of religious as well as civil 
 liberty is the prefent and great object of con- 
 fideration and debate, be a witnefs againfl 
 themfelves, fo long as they continue to 
 keep their Fellow-Inhabitants in fuch griev- 
 ous circumftances, whereby they are not 
 only deprived of their liberty, but of all 
 property and indeed of every right what- 
 soever? 
 
 From the experience of others, we may 
 deduce a proper application to ourfelvest 
 We read Jerm. xxxiv, 8. that the Jewifh 
 people, a little before the Babylonian Capti- 
 vity, acknowledged the duty which lay 
 upon them, of proclaiming liberty to thole 
 of their brethren who had been forceablv 
 
 4 
 
 kept in-fervitude, beyond the term limited 
 by the Molaic Law ; for the performance of 
 'which they had made a covenant before the 
 Lord; but upon the danger appearing to be 
 over, by the retreat of the king of Babylon, 
 they caufed the fervants and hand-maids 
 whom they had let go tree, to return, and 
 brought them again into fubjection. Where- 
 upon the prophet pronounces the judgment, 
 threatned by the Lord, againft thofe who had 
 thus falfi'fied their covenant, Chap, xxxiv, 
 ii. "Ye have made a covenant before me, 
 " but ye turned and polluted my name, 
 " and caufed every man his fervant, and 
 " every man his hand-maid — to return and 
 " brought them into fubjeclion." There- 
 fore, thus faith the Lord, ".Ye have not 
 I hearkned 
 
( 3* ) 
 Ci hearkned unto me, in proclaiming liberty 
 «' every one to his brother, and every man 
 " to his neighbour; behold I proclaim a li- 
 * c berty for you, faith the Lord, to the fvvord 
 " the peftilence and the famine.'* 
 
 Here it may not be neceffary to repeat 
 what has been fo fully declared in feveral 
 modern publications, of the inconflftence of 
 flavery with every right of mankind, with 
 every feeling of humanity, and every pre- 
 cept of Chriitianity; nor to point out its in* 
 confiftency with the welfare, peace and pro- 
 fperity of every country, in proportion as 
 it prevails; what grievous fufferings it brings 
 on the poor Negroes; but more efpecially 
 what a train of fatal vices it produces in 
 their lordly oppreilors and their unhappy 
 offspring. Neverthelefs for the fake of iomc 
 who have not met with, or fully confidered 
 thofe former publications, and in hopes that 
 fome who are ftill active in fupport of flave- 
 ry, may be induced to confider their ways, 
 and become more wife, the following fub- 
 ftance of an addrefs or expoftulation made 
 ,by a fenfible Author, to the feveral ranks of 
 perfons moft immediately concerced in the 
 trade, is now republifhed. 
 
 " And, firft , to the Captains employed in 
 this trade. Moft of you know the country 
 x>f Guinea, perhaps now by your means, part 
 of it is become a dreary uncultivated wilder- 
 nefs; the inhabitants being murdered or car- 
 ried away, fo that there are few left to till 
 
 the 
 
( 33 ) 
 the ground; but you know, or have heared, 
 how populous, how fruitful, how pleafant 
 it was a few years ago. You know the peo- 
 ple were not ftupid, not wanting in fenfe, 
 coniidering the few means of improvement 
 they enjoyed. Neither did you find them 
 favage, treacherous, or unkind to Grangers. 
 On the contrary they were in mod parts a 
 fenfible and ingenious people; kind and* 
 friendly, and generally juii in their dealings. 
 Such are the men whom you hire their own 
 countrymen, to tear away from this lovely 
 country; part by ftealth, part by force, part 
 made captives in thofe wars which you raife 
 or foment on purpofe. You have feen them 
 torn away, children from their parents, pa- 
 rents from their children: Hufbands from 
 their wives, wives from their beloved huf- 
 bands; brethren and fillers from each other. 
 You have dragged them who had never 
 done you any wrong, perhaps in chains, 
 from their native fhore. You have forced 
 them into your fhips, like an herd of fwinej*' 
 
 them 
 
 * The following Relation h infer ted at the rsquefl of tU 
 Author. 
 
 " That I may contribute all in my power towards 
 ft the good of mankind, by izifpirtng any of its indi- 
 «« viduals with a fuitable abhorence for that deteftable 
 M practice of trading in our Fellow Creatures, and 
 »« in fome meafare atone for my neglec> of duty as a 
 ** chriftian, in engaging in that wicked -traffic, I offer 
 tp. to their ferious. consideration, {bflce-'few occurrences 
 ** of which I was an eye vritnefs. That being itruek 
 "■ with the wretched and affedtiag feeae> they may 
 
 " f«ftcr 
 
( 34 ) 
 them who had fouls immortal as your own. , 
 You have flowed them together as clofe as 
 ever they could lie, without any regard 
 
 either to decency or conveniency- And 
 
 when many of them had been poifoned by 
 foul air, or had funk under various hard- 
 ihips, you have feen their remains delivered to 
 the deep^ till the jea JhoiM" give up his dead. 
 You have carried the furvivors into the vi- 
 left flavery, never to end but with life: Such 
 flavery as is not found among the Turks 
 at Algiers, no, nor among the heathens hi 
 America. May 
 
 •* fofter that humane principle, which is the noble and 
 *• diftinguifhed character! ft ic of man." 
 
 About the Year 1749 ; I failed from Liverpool to 
 the coaft of Guinea, fometime after our arrival, I was 
 ordered to go up the country a confiderable diftance, 
 upon having notice from one of the Negro Kings, that 
 he had a parcel of Slaves to difpofe of, I received my 
 inftructions and went, carrying with me an account of 
 fuch goods we had on board, to exchange for the 
 Slaves we intended to purchafe ; upon being intro- 
 duced, I prefented him with a fmali cafe of Spirits, 
 a Gun, and fome trifles, which having accepted, and 
 underftood by an interpreter what goods we had, the 
 next day was appointed for viewing the Slaves; we 
 found about two hundred confined in one place. But 
 here how (hall I relate the affecting fight I there be- 
 held, the filent forrow which appeared in the coun- 
 tenance of the afiiicled father, and the painful anguifli 
 of the tender mother, expecting to be forever feparated 
 from their tender offspring ; the diftreffed maid wring- 
 ing her hands in prefage of her future wretchednefs, 
 and the general cry of the innocent, from a fearful 
 apprehenfion of the perpetual flavery to which they 
 were doomed. I purchafed eleven* who I conducted 
 
 ty'd, 
 
( 35 ) 
 May I fpeak plainly to you ? I mufl. Love 
 conftrains me: Love to you, as well, as thofe 
 you are concerned with. Is there a God? You 
 know there is. Is he a juft God? Then there 
 muft be a ftate of retribution : A ftate where- 
 in the juft God will reward every man accord- 
 ing to his work. Then what reward will 
 fee render to you. O think betimes! before 
 you drop in eternity: Think how, " Hefhall 
 " have judgment without mercy, that fhew- 
 " ed no mercy." Are you a man? Then 
 
 you 
 
 ty'd, two and two to our ftiip. Being but a fmall 
 veflel (ninety ton) we foon purchafed our cargo con- 
 Ming of one hundred and feventy Slaves, whom thou 
 may 'ft reader range in thy view as they were fhack- 
 led two and two together, pent up within the narrow 
 confines of the main deck, with the complicated diltrefs 
 of ficknefs, chains and contempt- ; deprived of every 
 fond and focial tie and in a great meafure reduced to 
 a ftate of defparation. We had not been a fortnight 
 at Sea, before the fatal confequence of this delpair 
 appeared, they formed a defign of recovering their 
 natural right, liberty, by railing and murdering every 
 man on board ; but the goodnefs of the Almighty ren- 
 dered their fcheme abortive and his mercy-fpared us 
 to have time to repent : The plot was difcovered ; the 
 ringleader tied by the two thumbs over the barricado 
 door, at Sun-rife received a number of lafhes, in this 
 fituation he remain till Sun-fet, expofed to the infults 
 and barbarity of the brutal crew of Sailors, with full 
 leave to exercife their cruelty at pleafure : The confe- 
 quence was, that next morning the miferable fufferer 
 was found dead, flead from the fhoulders to the waift. 
 The next victim was a youth who, from too ftrong a 
 fenfe of his mifery refufed nourifhment and died disre- 
 garded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on part 
 .cfhisflefh. 
 
( 3* ) 
 
 you mould have a human heart. But have 
 you indeed? What is your heart made of? 
 Is there no fuch principle as companion 
 there? Do you never fee) another's pain? 
 Have you no fympathy ? No fenfe of human 
 woe? No pity for the miferable? When you 
 faw the flowing eyes, the heaving breaft, or 
 the bleeding fides and tortured limbs of 
 your fellow -creatures. Was you a ftone or 
 a brute? Did you look upon them with the 
 eyes of a tiger? When you fqueezed the 
 agonizing creatures down in the fhip, or 
 when you threw their poor mangled re- 
 mains into the fea, had you no relenting? 
 Did not one tear drop from your eye, one 
 figh efcape from your breafl? Do you feel 
 no relenting now? If you do not, you rauit. 
 go on, till the meafure of your iniquities is 
 full. Then will the great God deal with 
 you, as you have dealt with them, and re- 
 quire all their blood at your hands. And 
 at that day it mall be more tolerable for So- 
 dom and Gomorrah than for you: But if 
 your heart does relent; though in a fmall 
 degree, know it is a call from the God of 
 love. And to-day, if you hear his voice, 
 harden .not your heart- To-day refolve, 
 God being your helper to efcape for your 
 life — Regard not money: All that a man 
 hath will he give for his life. Whatever 
 you lofe, lofe not your Soul; nothing can 
 countervail that lofs. Immediately quit the 
 horrid trade: At all events be an honeft 
 man. This 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 This equally concerns every merchant 
 who is engaged in the Slave-trade. It is 
 you that induce the African villain to fell 
 his countrymen; and in order thereto, to 
 (teal, rob, murder men, women and children 
 without number: By enabling the Englifh 
 villain to pay him for fo doing; whom you 
 over pay for his execrable labour. It is youc 
 money, that is the fpring of all, that impow- 
 ers him to go on, fo that whatever he or the 
 African does in this matter, is all your act 
 and deed. And is your confcience quite re- 
 conciled to this? Does it never reproach you 
 at all? Has gold entirely blinded your eyes 
 and ftupified your heart? Can you fee, can 
 you feel no harm therein ? Is it doing as you 
 would be done to? Make the cafe your own. 
 £4 Mailer! (laid a Slave at Liverpool to the 
 " merchant that owned him) what if fome 
 - c of my countrymen were to come here, 
 " and take away my miflrefs, and mailer 
 " Tommy and mafter Billy, and carry them 
 " into our country and make them Haves, 
 " how would you like it?" His anfwer was 
 worthy of a man : " I will never buy a Have 
 " more while I live." O let his relblution 
 be yours ! Have no more any part in this 
 deteflable buiinefs. Inftantly leave it to 
 thofe unfeeling wretches, " Who laugh at 
 " humanity and companion." 
 
 And this equally concerns every Perfon 
 who has an eflate in our American plantati- 
 ons: Yea all Slave-holders of whatever rank 
 D and 
 
( 3« ) 
 &nd degree; feeing menbuyers are exactly on 
 a level with menftealers. Indeed you fay, 
 *' I pay honeftly for my goods; and I am 
 " not concerned to know how they are 
 *' come by." Nay, but you are: You are 
 deeply concerned, to know that they are 
 not ftolen : Otherwife you are partaker with 
 a thief, and are not a jot honefter than him. 
 But you know they are not honeftly come 
 hy : You know they are procured by means 
 nothing near fo innocent as picking of poc- 
 kets, houfe breaking, or robbery upon the 
 highway. You know they are procured 
 by a deliberate feries of more complicated 
 villainy, (of fraud, robbery and murder,) 
 than was ever praclifed either by Maho- 
 metans or Pagans; in particular by mur- 
 ders of all kinds; by the blood of the inno- 
 cent poured upon the ground like water. 
 Now it is your money that pays the mer- 
 chant, and thro' him the captain and African 
 butchers. You therefore are guilty : Yea, prin- 
 cipally guilty, of all thefe frauds, robberies, 
 and murders. You are the fpring that puts 
 all the reft in motion; they would not ftir 
 
 a ftep without you. Therefore the blood 
 
 of all thefe wretches, who die before their 
 time, whether in their country or elfe where, 
 lies upon your head. The blood of thy 
 brother, (for whether thou wilt believe it 
 or no, fuch he is in the fight of him that 
 made him) crieth againft thee from the 
 earth, from the fhip and from the waters. 
 
 O! what 
 
( 39 ) 
 O ! what ever it cod, put a ftop to its cry, be* 
 fore it be too late. Inftantly, at any price, 
 were it the half of thy goods, deliver thyfelf 
 from blood guiltinefs! Thy hands, thy bed* 
 thy furniture, thy houfe, thy land, are at 
 prefent ftai ned with blood. Surely it is 
 enough; accumulate no more guilt: Spill 
 no more the blood of the innocent! Do not 
 hire another to fhed blood! Do not pay him 
 for doing it! Whether thou art a chriftian 
 or no, mew thy felf a man; be not more 
 favage than a lion or a bear. 
 
 Perhaps thou wilt fay, " I do not buy any 
 u negroes: I only ufe thofe left me by my 
 " father." But is it enough to fatisfy your 
 own confcience! Had your father, have you, 
 has any man living, a right to ufe another; 
 as a Have? It cannot be, even fitting revela- 
 tion afide. It cannot be, that either war, 
 or contract, can give any man, fuch a pro- 
 perty in another as he has in his fheep and 
 oxen: Much lefs is it poffible, that any 
 child of man, mould ever be born a Have. 
 Liberty is the right of every human crea- 
 ture, as foon as he breathes the vital air. 
 And no human law can deprive him of that 
 right, which he derives from the law of 
 nature. If therefore you have any regard 
 to juftice, (to fay nothing of mercy, nor of 
 the revealed law of God.) render unto alt 
 their due. Give liberty to whom liberty is 
 due, that is to every child of man, to every 
 partaker of human nature. Let none ferve 
 
( 4° ) 
 you but by his own act and deed, by his own 
 voluntary choice. Away with (hips, chains 
 and all compulfion. Be gentle towards all 
 men. And fee that you invariably do unto 
 every one, as you would he fhould do unto 
 you. 
 
 Remarks on the Nature and bad Ejfefts of 
 SPIRITUOUS Liquors. 
 
 THE common life ot Spirituous liquors diftilled 
 from molafles, grain, fruit, &c. is a matter that 
 calls for the particular attention of every lover of 
 mankind. 
 
 Several phyficians of note,* have given it as their 
 fentiments, that thofe diftilled fpirits when taken in- 
 wardly, even tho' mixed with water, deftroy the hu- 
 man frame; being burning fpirits, the ufe of which 
 bring on many fatal difeafes, fuch as fevers, jaundice, 
 dropfies, confumptions and whereby multitudes are 
 daily deftroyed. That they parch up and contract 
 the ftomach to half its natural fize, like burnt leather, 
 and rot the entrails, as is evident, not only by open- 
 ing the bodies of thofe perfons who are killed by 
 drinking them; but alfo by what Doctor Hoffman 
 fays, was obferved of the effects which the cauftic 
 fiery remaining warn of the diftillers, has on the guts 
 ©f thofe hogs which in fome places are fed by it; 
 •which are thereby fo tendered, that puddings cannot 
 be made in them: Wherefore all people, who have 
 any regard to their health and lives ought to tremble 
 at the cravings for fuch poifonous liquors, which 
 
 (hortea 
 
 r* Doftor Hoffman, Chyne, Short> Lind, Euchan, &c. 
 
( 4i ) 
 
 fhorten and deftroy the lives of fuch multitudes of 
 people. It is farther obfervable, th?t the free ufe of 
 thofe Spirits, deprave the morals of thofe who ad- 
 dyft themfelves thereto ; the feelings of their minds are 
 gradually benumbed; an infenfibility to the healing 
 influences of grace prevails, and many become pro- 
 fane and regard iefs of their duty to God and Man. 
 
 Doctor Cheyne, in his Fflay of health and long life, 
 fays, «« All people, who have any regard to their 
 health and lives, ought to tremble at the firft cravings 
 for fuch poifonous liquors. The maladies begot by 
 them bring forth neceffity upon neceffity of drams and 
 gills; till at laft, a kind dropfy, nervous convulfion, 
 flux, if not a fever, or phrenfy fets the poor foul free. 
 It has often raifed in me, fays the Doctor, the mod 
 melancholly reflections, to fee the virtuous and fen(i» 
 ble, bound in fuch chains and fetters, as nothing lef£ 
 than omnipotent grace or the unrelenting grave could 
 releafe them from." 
 
 It is pretended, that drams comfort, warm, and de- 
 fend from the feverity of weather, to which men are 
 fometimes expofed ; without which they fay, they 
 fhould perifh with cold ; which is probably, in a great 
 meafure, true of thofe wfid are habituated to drink 
 them; the blood of faeTi being thereby fo much im- 
 poverilhed, that it is well known many of the drinkers 
 of drams are cold and lifelefs in the midft of fummer, 
 •without frequent repetitions; this is what fome of 
 them have owned. But on the other hand, how 
 much more able are fober performs to endure cold and 
 hardfhips; their vital heat not being extinguifned by 
 intemperance, does by its kindly genial warmth, more 
 effetfually fecure them from the inclemency of the 
 weather, than the falfeflafn of a dram. Befides, it is 
 well known, that men did not perifh in the coldeft 
 countries for want of drams formerly, when they were 
 not to be had, of the undoubted truth of this, Cap- 
 tain Ellis gives a full proof in the account of his 
 voyage to Hudfon's bay, page 199: Where he ob- 
 ferves, " That the natives of the very cold coaft of 
 
 E> 3 that 
 
C v ) 
 
 that Bay-, to wfcom the French are kinder than to fefl 
 cHftilled fpirituous liquors, are tall, hardy, robuft and 
 active; whereas thofe of them that are fupplied with 
 drams from the Englifh, are a meagre, dwarfifti, indo- 
 lent people, hardly equal to the feverity of the coun- 
 try, and fubject to many diforders, And as to the per- 
 nicious effects of fpirituous liquors in very hot cli- 
 mates, (as on the coaft of Guinea,) it is obferved, 
 that the French and Portuguefe, who do not indulge 
 in diftilled fpirits, are healthy compared with the 
 Englifh; who, drinking freely of fpirits &c. die faft." 
 
 The unhappy dram-drinkers are fo abfolutely bound 
 in flavery to thefe infernal fpirits, that they feem to 
 have loft the power of delivering themfelves from this 
 worft of bondage. How much then is it the bounden 
 duty of thofe, who have it in their power to withhold 
 this deftruetive man bane, either as parents, mafters, 
 or rulers to the people committed to their truft. This 
 h a cafe fo calamitous to mankind, that to have a 
 thorough fenfe of it, and yet not to remonftrate, nor 
 earneftly caution againft it, is certainly as criminal as 
 it is unfriendly not to warn a blind perfon of a dan- 
 gerous precipice or pit Yet, alas how unconcerned are 
 the greateft part of mankind at this enormous ruin of 
 multitudes! In trials for life, what diligenee is ufed to 
 jind the ©ccafion of the lofs of one fubjecl. What 
 care will not a faithful Phyfician bellow for the pre- 
 servation of one life. How did the wife Romans ho- 
 nour him, who faved the life of one Roman citizen. 
 jjut in the prefent cafe it is not one, nor- one hundred, 
 nor one thoufand, but probably no lefs than a. million 
 that perifh yearly. 
 
 The miftaken ufe and grievous abufe of rum and 
 cither diftilled fpirits, in no cafe appears more palpably 
 than at the time of harveft, a buftnefs which the peo- 
 ple under the MofaiG difpenfation were enjoined to, 
 carry on with humiliation and thankfgiving ; but 
 which amongft us through the free ufe of fpirituous 
 liquors is made an occafion of a greater abufe of the 
 r features and.difhonour of the Creator; this arifes in 
 
 many, 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 many, from a miftaken perfuafion that hard'laboui\ 
 particularly that of the harveft field, cannot be carried, 
 on without ufing a quantity of rum or other diftilled 
 fpirits. In fupport of this opinion, we are frequently 
 told of the many people who have died at thofe times 
 through the extream heat and fatigue, and it is fup- 
 pofed that many more would die, if a plentiful ufe of 
 fpirituous liquors was not allowed, but this is a mif- 
 taken notion, it being much more likely, that the free 
 ufe of rum occafioned the death of thofe .people, the 
 quantity they had fwallowed down, fending a great 
 flov\ of fpirits into the head in proportion to the 
 ftrength of their body caufed them to ftrain their 
 ftrength beyond what nature could bear ; and in gene* 
 ral the repeated large quantities of fpirit commonly 
 drank during the whole time of harveft, keeps up the 
 blood in fo continual a ferment and fever, that people 
 cannot have a proper reitorative fleep; their conftitu- 
 tions are thereby enervated their lives fhortned and 
 an unfitnefs for religious impreflions generally prevails. 
 Thefe weighty confideration s have induced feme well 
 minded people to endeavour to induce, by their exam- 
 ples, their friends and neighbours into a contiary prac- 
 tice ; and under thefe attempts experience has made it 
 manifeft that very little or no ftrong liquor is neceftary 
 at thofe times ; indeed they have been convinced that 
 the harveft, and other Jabourious work, can: be very 
 well managed without making ufe of any fpirituous 
 liquors at all. If fuch labour was carried on with 
 fteadinefs and proper moderation, there would cer- 
 tainly be no need of a recruit of ftrength being fought 
 for by that means; more frequent intervals of reft with 
 a,- little food oftener allowed the reapers, and fmall 
 drhiks, fuch as molaflesand water, either alone or made 
 more agreable with a little cyder, fmall beer, or even 
 milk and water would fully enable them to perform 
 their work to their employer's fasisfa&ion and their 
 own advantage, and the overplus wages they would 
 receive to the value of the fpiFits ufually given them. 
 Bright be fuftkient to nurchafe bread for their families, 
 
 Several 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 Several perfons who from a perfuafion that the com- 
 mon method of giving fpirituous liquors to labourers 
 was exeeding hurtful, have made it a condition with 
 thofe they have employed, not to ufe any fpirituous 
 liquors in their field; thefe have had their work per- 
 formed to good fatisfaction and without any damage 
 enfuing to their labourers. Nay, where they have 
 remained any confiderable time with fuch employers, 
 they have generally acknowledged themfelves fenfi- 
 ble of the benefit ariiing from having thus totally re- 
 frained the ufe of thofe liquors. 
 
 Should this practice take place, it would prove a 
 great bleffing particularly to the labouring people, one 
 half of whom (a phyfician of this country hath given 
 as his fentiment) die fooner than they otherwife would 
 do, folely by the ufe of fpirituous liquors Befnies, 
 that it would difcourage the diftillation of rye and 
 other grain; a practice which is not only a great hurt 
 to the poor in raifing the price of bread, but rauft 
 alfo be very offenfive to God, the great and good fa- 
 ther of the family of mankind, that people fhould, in 
 their earthly and corrupt wifdom, pervert their Maker's 
 benevolent intention, in converting the grain he hath 
 given to us as the (tafr of life, unto a fiery fpirit, fo 
 deftructive of the human frame and attended with 
 the other dreadful confequences already mentioned. 
 Here it may be noted, that any quantity of good mo- 
 laffes will by diftilation, yield more than the fame 
 quantity of proof fpirit. And that a confiderable 
 quantity of molaffes if taken with bread at one time, 
 as the Indians will fometimes do, will not intoxicate, 
 the fpirituous parts in the molaffes being properly 
 united by our good and wife creator with the earthy 
 and balfamick parts, fo as to make it quite friendly to 
 our nature; but when by diftilation the fpirituous 
 parts are feparated from the other parts, that meafure 
 of fpirits proceeding from the fame quantity of mo- 
 laffes, becomes a fiery liquid, deftructive of the human 
 frame. Doctor Buehan in his Domeftic Medicine, or 
 Family Phyfician, a book which has gained fo much 
 
 efteem 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 efteem as to be twice published in this city, at 
 page 71 of the Englifh Edition fays, " many imagine 
 «« that hard labour could not be fupported without 
 •Sdrinking ftrong liquors. This, tho' a. common is a 
 '* very erronous notion, men who never tailed ftrong 
 " liquors are not only able to endure more fatigue, 
 «< but alfo live much longer than thofe who ufe them 
 tl daily.* But fuppofe Itrong liquors did enable a 
 '« man to do more work, they muft nevertheless wafte 
 " the powers of life, and of courfe occafion premature 
 " old age They keep up a conftant fever, which 
 ♦« waftes the fpirits, heats and inflames the blood and 
 «' predifpofes the body to numberlefs difeafes. At 
 " P a g e *M fame author tells us, that all intoxicat- 
 «« ing liquors may be confidered as poifons. How- 
 " ever difguifed, that is their real character, and fooner 
 m or later they will have their effect." 
 
 Amongft the fereral prejudices in favour of the mif- 
 taken ufe of fpirituous liquors, there is none gives it a 
 greater fanclion or fupport, than the prevailing opini- 
 on, even with perfons of reputation, that what they 
 term a moderate quantity of rum mixed with water, 
 is the beft and fafeft liquor that can be drank; hence 
 confirming the opinion, that fpirit in on« form or 
 other is neceflTary. To fuch who have not been ac- 
 cuftomed, and think they cannot habituate themfelves 
 to drink water, there may appear to be fome kind of 
 plea in this argument, efpecially to travellers, who 
 often meet with beer, cyder, or other fermented li- 
 quors that are dead, hard, four, or not properly fer- 
 mented, which tend to generate air in the bowels, 
 produceing colicks, &c. But if thofe perfons fuffered 
 the weight of the fubject, and the encouragement they 
 thereby give to the ufe of thefe deftrucYive fpirits, to 
 take proper place with them, it might fuggeft the pro- 
 priety, if not neceflky of introducing a more falutary 
 practice. 
 
 That 
 
 * The few of thofe who notwkhftanding their excefs in drink- 
 ing fpmtuo*is liquors, from the uncommon ftreng'h of their con- 
 stitution, may have attained to confiderahle age, would doubtlcfs 
 luste lived much longer if they had lived temjperate lives, 
 
( 4<5 ) 
 
 That pure fluid (water) which the benevolent father 
 of the family of mankind, points out for general ufe, 
 is fo analegous to the human frame, that people 
 might with fafety gradually ufe themfelves to it Dr. 
 Cheyne obferves, that without all doubt, water is the 
 primitive original beverage, as it is the only fimple 
 fluid fitted for diluting, moiftening and cooling ; the 
 ends of drink, appointed by nature, and he adds happy 
 had it been for the race of mankind, i** other mixed and 
 artificial liquors had never been invented. Water 
 alone is fufficient and effectual for all the purpofes of 
 human want in drink : Strong liquors were never de- 
 figned for common ufe. Speaking of the effect of wine, 
 which he fays to have been fo much in ufe at the 
 time he wrote, that the better fort of people fcarcely 
 diluted their food with any other liquor, he remarks, 
 •* That as natural caufes will always produce their 
 t( proper effects, their blood was inflamed into gout, 
 ** ftone, and rheumatifm, raging fevers, pleurifies, &c. 
 «« Water is the only difolvent or menftrum and the 
 u moft certain diluter of all bodies proper for food " 
 
 Doctor Short, in his difcoorfe of the inward ufe of 
 water, fpeaks much in its commendation. He fays, 
 we can draw a very convincing argument of the excel- 
 lency of water, from the longevity and healthfulneis 
 of thofe who at firft had no better liquor, and the 
 health and ftrength of body and ferenty of mind, of 
 thofe who at this day have no other common liquor 
 to drink, of this the common people amongft the High- 
 lands of Scotland, are a fufficient inftance, amongft 
 whom it is no rarity to find perfons of eighty, ninety, 
 yea an hundred years of age, as healthy ftrong and 
 nimble, as wine or ale bibbers are at thirty fix or forty. 
 The Doctor fays, There is a ridiculous maxim ufed 
 by drinkers, that water makes but thin blood, not fit 
 for bufmefs. I fay, fays he, it is water only that caa 
 enduce its drinkers with the ftrongeft bodies and moft 
 robuft conftitutions, where exercife or labour is joined 
 with it, fmce it beft aflifts the ftomach and lungs to 
 reduce th& aliments into the fmalleft particles, that 
 
 th&F 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 , they may better pafs the drainers of the body, which 
 feparates the nutritious parts of the blood to be ap- 
 plyed to the fides of the veffels, and exercife invigo- 
 rates the fibres and mufcles ; whereas the rapid motion 
 of the blood excited by drinking fpirituous liquors, 
 ca*i not fail of being prejudicial to the body, it will 
 caufe the watery parts to diflipate, and the remaining 
 to grow thick and tough, and the event be obftructions, 
 inflammations,, impofthumations, &c. — and tho' ftrong 
 liquors afford a greater flow of fpirits for a fhort time, 
 yet this is always followed with as much lownefs of 
 fpirit; fo that to gain a neceflary flock of fpirits, the 
 perfon is obliged to repeat the fame force, till he learns 
 a cuftom of drinking drams. In this we are confirm- 
 ed, if we confider the great flrength and hardinefs 
 of poor rufticks in many parts of the world, whole 
 provifions is moftly vegetable food, and their drink 
 water. The doctor adds, that it often happens that 
 perfons of tender, weakly, crazy conftitutions, by re- 
 fraining from ftrong liquors and accuftoming themfelves 
 to drink water, make a fhift to fpin out many years. 
 
 After defcribing the many diftempers produced by 
 drinking malt or other fermented liquors he adds, that 
 feeing conftitutions differ, it is not to be expected that 
 fpirituous liquors fhould produce all the lame fymp- 
 toms in one and the fame perfon, yet that all drinkers 
 jiave feveral of them; and if they come not to that 
 height, its becaufe they afterwards ufe great exercife 
 or hard labour, with fometimes thin diluting liquors, 
 which prevent their immediate hurting. 
 
 And with refpect to fuch well difpofed people, who ftill 
 retain a favourable opinion of the ufe of fpirits mixed 
 with water, ought they not, even from a love to man- 
 kind, t© endeavour to refrain from it, on account of 
 the effect their example may have in incouraging 
 others in the ufe of fpirituous, liquors, agreable to the 
 example left us by the apoftle Paul, i Cor. VIII, 13. 
 If meat make my brother to offend 1 ivill eat no fiefh nvhile 
 the iuorld ftands, left 1 make my brother to offend. How 
 much more ought they to refrain from that which 
 
 tends 
 
( 48 ) 
 
 tends to eflaUifh mankind, in a practice fo gene- 
 rally deflxuctive, more efpecially when they confider 
 the danger themfelves are in of encreafing the quan- 
 tity of fpirit with tl^ir water, as it has been obferved, 
 that the ufe of this mixture is particularly apt, almoft 
 imperceptible to gain upon thofe that ufe it, fo that 
 many otherwife good and judicious people have un- 
 warily to themfelves and others, fallen, with the com- 
 mon herd, a facrifice to this might devourer. 
 
 A very eminent phyfician has given the following di- 
 rection, for the benefit cf thofe who have not wifdom 
 enough left at once to abandon the odious and pernici- 
 ous practice of drinking diftilled fpirituous liquors, viz. 
 By degrees to mix water with the fpirit, to le/Ten the 
 quantity every day, and keep to the fame quantity of 
 water, till in about the courfe of a week, nothing of the 
 dram kind be ufed along with water. By this means 
 the perfon will fuffer no inconveniency, but reap great 
 benefit upon leaving off drams or fpirits as has been 
 tried by many. If any gnawing be left in the Piomach 
 upon quite leaving it off, a little warm broth, weak tea, 
 or any thing of that kind, wili be a fervice. The ap- 
 petite always increafes in a few days after leaving off 
 drams, unlefs by the too long continuance of them, 
 the tone of the iromach is deftroyed. And when the 
 ftomach is thus affected a cup of carduus, camomile tea, 
 wormwood or centaury every morning fading anct 
 every evening wili be found a good remedy. 
 
 THE END. 
 
CHRISTIAN PIETY: 
 
 I £ By PHILALETHES. 
 
 With Ext ratls from different Authors. 
 
 ALL the mifery and diftrefs of human na- 
 ture, whether of body or mind, is wholly 
 owing to this caufe, That God is not in man, 
 nor man in God, as the Hate of his nature re- 
 quires: It is becaufe man has loft that firft Life 
 of God in his foul, in and for which he was 
 created: He loft this Life, and Light, and Spi- 
 rit, by turning his imagination, will and de- 
 lire, into a tailing and fenfibility of the good 
 and evil of this earthly world. 
 
 There are two things raifed up in man inftead 
 of the Life of God; firft 9 Self, or felfi/hnefs, 
 brought forth by his chufing to have a will and 
 wifdom of his own, contrary to „he will and in- 
 ftruclion of God his Creator. Secondly 9 An 
 earthly, beftial, mortal life and body, brought: 
 forth by his eating that food which was poifon 
 to his paradifical nature: Both thefe muft there- 
 fore be removed; that is, a man muft firft die 
 totally to felf, and to all earthly defires, views 
 and intentions, before he can be again in God, 
 as his nature and firft creation require. 
 
 If this be a certain and immutable truth, 
 That man, fo long as he is a felfifii, earthly 
 minded creature, muft be deprived of his true 
 life, the Life of God, the Spirit of Heaven in his 
 foul; what mifery, nay, what a curfe is there 
 in every thing, that nourifhes and gratifies 
 our Sett-love, Self-eft eem and Self-feekmg; and 
 A what 
 
( 2 ) 
 
 what life is fo much to be dreaded as a life of 
 worldly cafe and profperity ? On the other hand, 
 what happinefs is there in all outward and inr 
 ward troubles and diftreiTes, when they force 
 us to feel and know the hell that is hidden with- 
 in us, and the vanity of every thing without 
 us; when they turn all our Self-love into Self- 
 abhorrence, and force us to call upon God to 
 fave us from ourfelves, and to give us a new 
 Life, new Light, and new Spirit in Jefus Chrift. 
 £S Oh happy famine! might the poor Prodi- 
 A( - gal have well faid, which, by reducing me 
 f c to the neceffity of afking to eat hufks with 
 " fwine, brought me to myfelf, and caufed my 
 * c return to my firft happinefs in my father's 
 -"■ houfe." In like manner may be laid to him 
 who feels the deepefl diftreiTes; inwardly, dark- 
 uefs, heavinefs, and confufion of thoughts and 
 pafllons; outwardly, ill ufage from friends, re- 
 lations, and the world, unable to flrike up the 
 lead fpark of light or comfort, by any thought 
 or reafoning of his own; Oh happy famine! 
 which leaves you not fo much as the hulk of 
 one rmman comfort to feed upon, for this is the 
 time and place for ail that good and falvation to 
 happen to you, which happened to the prodi- 
 gal ion ; your way is as fhort, and your fuc- 
 cefs as certain as his was; you have no more to 
 do than he had; you need not call for books and 
 methods of devotion; for in fuch a ftate, much 
 reading and borrowed prayers are not your beft 
 method: All that you are to offer to God, all 
 that is to help you to find him to be your Savi- 
 our and Redeemer, is befl taught and expreffed 
 by the- diftrefled (late of your heart: Only let 
 
( 3 ) 
 vour diftrefs make you feel and acknowledge 
 this twofold truth; firfl, That of yourfelf, you 
 are^nothing but darknefs, vanity and mifery; 
 fecondly, That of yourfelf, you can no more 
 help yourfelf to light and comfort, than you 
 can create an angel. People at all times can 
 feem to afTent to thefe two truths; but then it 
 is an affent that has no depth or reality, and fa 
 of little ufe; but your condition will open your 
 heart for a deep and full conviction of thefe 
 truths: Now give way, I befeech you, to this 
 conviction, and then you are the prodigal come 
 to yourfelf, and above half the Work is 
 done. 
 
 Being in full poffeffion of thefe two truths, 
 and feeling them in the fame degree of certain- 
 ty as you feel your own exigence, you are, un- 
 der this fenhbility, to give up yourfelf abfolute- 
 ]y and entirely to Ood in Chiift Jefus, as into 
 the hands -of infinite love; finnJy believing this 
 great and infallible truth, that God has no will 
 towards you but that of infinite love, and infi- 
 nite defire to make you a partaker of his divine 
 nature; and that it is as abfolutely impoifible 
 for the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift to re- 
 fufe you all that good and falvalion you want, 
 as it is for you to take it by your own power. 
 Oh drink deep of this cup! for the precious 
 water of eternal life is in it. Turn unto God 
 with this faith; call: yourfelf into this abyfs of 
 love; and then you will be in that ftate the pro- 
 digal was in, when he faid, I will art fe and go to 
 my Father, and will fay unto him, Father, I have ' 
 ftnned againjl heaven* and- before thee, and am m 
 
 more 
 
( 4 ) 
 mote worthy to be called thy fon\ and then all that 
 which is related of him, will be fulfilled in yo_i/. 
 
 Make this therefore the twofold exercife of 
 your heart; now, bowing yourfelf down before 
 God, in -the deeped fen fe and acknowledgment 
 of your own nothingnefs and vilenefs; then, 
 looking up unto God in faith and love, confider 
 Him as always extending the arms of his mercy 
 towards you, and full of an infinite defire to 
 dwell in you, as he dwells in the Angels in hea- 
 ven: Content yourfelf with this inward and 
 fimple exercife of your heart for a while, and 
 leek or like nothing in any book, but that which 
 nourifhes and firengthens this date of your 
 heart. 
 
 Come unto me, fays the holy Jefus, all ye that 
 labour, and are heavy laden, and I will refrejh you; 
 here is more for you to live upon, more light 
 for your mind, more of unclion for your hearty 
 than in volumes of human indruclion ; pick 
 up the words of the holy Jefus, and beg of 
 him to be the life and light of your foul ; love 
 the found of his name, for Jefus is the love, the 
 fweetnefs, the companionate goodnefs of God 
 himfelf, which became man, that fo man might 
 have power to become the Sons of God ; love, 
 and pity, and wifh well to every foul in the 
 world ; dwell in love, and then you dwell in 
 God; hate nothing, but the evil that dirs in 
 your heart. 
 
 Teach your heart this prayer, till it conti- 
 nually faith, though not with outward words ; 
 " O Holy Jefus, meek Lamb of GGd, Bread 
 " that came down from heaven. Light and 
 
 " Life 
 
( 5 ) 
 *f Life of all holy fouls, help me to a true and 
 u \ living faith; Oh do thou open thyfelf vvithia 
 "Wi£, wi.th all thy holy pature, fpirit, tempers 
 "and inclinations, that I rnav b? born again p£ 
 45 thee, a new creature, quickened and revived, 
 " led and governed by thy Holy ; Sp irk. "_ 
 
 Prayer fo practifed becorties th§life oj [the foui s 
 and the true food of eternity: Keep in this Hate 
 of application to God. and then you "will find 
 it to be the true way of rifiog out of -the vanity 
 of time into the riches of eternity. 
 
 We muff not always look fpr the, -fame de- 
 grees of fervour; the matter liesi.not, there;; na- 
 ture will have its mare; but the ufJSiaMtd-downs 
 of thqt are to be .overlooked, whilll the_vvill and 
 fpirit are good, and let right, for tf*e changes p£ 
 animal fervour le/Ien not our unioU:-with ,God* 
 It is the a by is of the heart, an unfathomable 
 ckpe-h of eternity within us, as fnuch above fen« 
 fibre fervour, as heaven is above earth;, it isthis 
 that works our way to God, and, unites; with* 
 him; this is the divine nature and power with- 
 in us, which never calls upon God in vain, .but 
 whether helped or defeated by bodily : fervour,, 
 penetrates through all outward nature, as eafily 
 and efTeclually as our thoughts jcanjeave our bo« 
 dies, and reich into the. regions fcf eternity. 
 
 The poverty of opn, fallen jjna£ufe,, :the de- 
 praved workings of fjeihand ,ploOyl> .the cor- 
 rupt tempers of our polluted birth in this world, 
 do us no hurt, fo long -as the fpirit of prayer 
 works contrary to them, and longs for the 
 iirit birth of the light and fpirit of heaven, All 
 our natural evil ceafes to be our own evil, as 
 A 2 foorL 
 
( 6 j 
 u>on as our will and fpirit turn from it; it then 
 changes its nature,^ lores' all its poiion and death 
 and only becomes our holy crofs, on which "we 
 bUpf>i!y die from felf and this world into the 
 kingdom of heaven. 
 
 Let <us therefore continually confider God, as 
 the greater! ; love; his eternal unchangeable will, 
 as- the gresiefi: good and biefling to every crea- 
 tivr-g; and ¥hat all the mifery, darknef? and death 
 of-faller^fc-ugels and fallen man, confifls in their 
 having loft their likenefs to this divine nature: 
 Let us alio confider ourfelves, and all the fallen 
 world, as 1 having nothing to feek or wifh for, 
 bat by the 'fpiritot prayer to draw into our fouls 
 rays and fp^arldS of the divine, meek, loving, 
 tender' nature of God: LafUy, let us confider 
 the holy jefti'si as the gift of Got] to our fouls, 
 to 'Wo$k and hniih the birth of God within us, 
 in '%3t ; e of eVery inward and outward enemy. 
 Thfcfb thrlee' infallible truths^ heartily embraced, 
 and-rriade thfe r hourilh?nent of our fouls, fhorten 
 and <fexure ; 't highway to heaven, and leave no 
 room"'f©F error, fcruple or deluflon. 
 
 E^pecVvno'-rigbt, life or comfort, but from 
 ihe Spirit of God dwelling and manifefting his 
 own^goodnefedn your foul-": The beft of men 
 and 'the beft of books can do us good only fo 
 far as they^tuPn us from 'themleives and every 
 hurnan<omfo*3, -to feek, and have, and receive 
 every kind of good' from God alone; not a dif- 
 tant, nor an abfeht God, but from him v, ho 
 lives, and moves, -and works in the fpirit of our 
 fouls : They never rind God, who fearch for him 
 by reafonin'g and' ipeculation; for fince God is 
 
 the 
 
( 7 > 
 the higheft Spirit and the higheft: Life, nothing 
 ttut a like fpirit and a like life can unite with 
 hY*?i> find, feel or know any t&irjg of him: 
 Hence it is, that faith, and hope, and love turn- 
 ed towards God, are the only poflible and alfo 
 infallible means of obtaining a true ana living 
 knowledge of him: And the reafon is plain, 
 becaufe by thefe holy tempers, which are the 
 workings of his Life and Spirit within us, we 
 feek the God of Life, where he is, we call upon 
 him with his own voice, we draw near him by 
 his own Spirit; for nothing can breathe forth 
 faith, and love, and hope to God, but that 
 Spirit and Life which are of God, and which 
 through flefli and blood, thus prefs towards 
 him, and readily unite with him. 
 
 There is not a more clear truth than this, 
 That neither reajoning nor learning can ever in- 
 troduce a fpark of heaven into our fouls; and 
 if this be true, we have nothing to feek, nor 
 any thing to fear from- reafon : Life and Death 
 are the things in queftion, they are neither of 
 them the growth of reafon or learning, but 
 each of them is a if ate of -the foul, and thus 
 differ, Death is the want, and Life is the enjoyment 
 of its .higheft good, Keafon therefore and learn- 
 ing hcive no power here, but by their vain 
 activity to keep the foul infenfible of that life 
 and death, one of which is always growing up 
 in it, according as the will and defire of the 
 heart worketh: Add reafon to a vegetable, and 
 you add nothing to its life or death; its life or 
 fruitfuinefs lieth in the foundnefs of its root, 
 and tte goodnefs of the foil, and the ftrength 
 
 it 
 
( 8 ) 
 it derives from air and light. Heaven and Hell 
 grow tHm in the foul of every man; his hear; 
 is the root; if that be turned from evil,, k"is 
 like the plant in a good foil; when it hungers 
 and thirds after the divinelife, it then, by the 
 fpirit of prayer, infallibly draws the Light and 
 Spirit of God into it, which are infinitely more 
 ready and willing to live and fructify in the foul, 
 than light and air to enter into the plant; for 
 the foul hath its being and life for no oiber end 
 but that the tri-une God. mav manifeit the riches 
 and power of his own life in it, 
 
 When therefore it is the one ruling, never- 
 chafing defire ;of our hearts, : that God may be 
 the beginning and end, the reafon and motive, 
 the rule and xneafure of our doing or not do- 
 ing, from morning to night; then every where, 
 whether fpeaking or flient, whether inwardly 
 or outwardly employed,, we are equally offered 
 up to God, have our lite in him, and from him; 
 and are united to him by that Spirit of Prayer 
 which is the com fort,, .the fupport, the rlrength, 
 and fecurky i^f the foul; For this Spirit of Pray- 
 er, let us willingly give up all that we inherit 
 from our fallen father ; to be all .hunger and th'irfi 
 after God.; to have no care or thought, but how 
 to be wholly his devoted initrunients, every 
 -where and in every , things his adoring, thank- 
 ful, joyful fervaat. 
 
 Let us have eyes fhu£, . and ears flopped to 
 every thing, that is not a ftep in that ladder 
 that reaches from earth to heaven: To help us 
 forward, reading is good, hearing is good, con- 
 verjaiiGn and meditation are good; but then, they 
 
 are 
 
. ( 9 ) 
 
 are only good at times and occafions, in a cer- 
 tain degree, and mull be ufed and governed 
 vvITFrfuch caution, as we eat, drink and refrefh 
 ourfeives, or they will bring forth in us the 
 fruits of intemperance: But the Spirit of Pray- 
 er is for all times and all occasions; it is a lamp 
 to be always burning; a light to be ever min- 
 ing; every thing calls for it, every thing is to 
 be done in it, and governed by it; becaufe it 
 is, and means, and wills the abfoiute totality of 
 the foul, not in doing this or that, but wholly 
 and incefTantly given up to God, to be and do 
 what, and where, and when he pleafes. 
 
 This ftate of abfoiute refignation, naked faith, 
 and pure Love of God, is the higheli perfection, 
 and moil purified life of thof'e, who are Chrifli- 
 ans indeed ; and is neither more or lefs than what 
 our bieffed Redeemer has called and qualified 
 us to afpire after in. thefe words, Thy kingdom 
 come; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 
 It is to be fought for in the fimplicity of a little 
 child, without being captivated with any myfte- 
 rious depths or heights of fpeculation ; without 
 coveting any knowledge, or wanting to fee any 
 ground of nature, grace or creature, only fo far 
 as they bring us nearer to God, force us to 
 renounce and forget every thing for him, to do 
 every thing in him, with him, and for him; 
 and to give every breathing, moving, ltirring, 
 intention and deiire of our foui, fpirit and life 
 to him. 
 
 Let every creature have your love: Love, 
 with its fruits of patience, metknefs, humility, &en~ 
 fr'ene/s, joy, is all we can wifk to ourieives and 
 
 our 
 
( 1° ) 
 
 our fellow- creatures; for this is to live to God, 
 united to him, both for time and eternity. 
 
 To defire to communicate good to every^crea- 
 ture, in the degree we can, and it is capable 
 of receiving from us, is a divine temper, for 
 thus God ffands unchangeably difpofed towards 
 the whole creation; but as we value the peace 
 which God has brought forth by his Holy Spi- 
 rit ki us, as we continually deiire to be taught 
 by an unction from above, let us not willingly 
 enter into difputes with any about the truths 
 of falvation ; but give them every help, except 
 that of debating with them; for no man has a 
 fitnefs for the light of the gofpel, till he finds 
 an hunger and thirft for fomething better than 
 that, which he is and has by nature: Yet we 
 ought not to check our inclinations to help 
 others in every way we can, only let us do what 
 we do as a work of God; and then, whatever 
 may be the event, we mail have reafon to be 
 content with the fuccefs God gives to it. He 
 that hath ears to hear, let him hear; may be 
 enough for us, as it was for our blelfed Lord. 
 The next thing that belongs to us, which is alfo 
 Godlike, is a true unfeigned patience and meek- 
 nefs, {hewing every kind of good- will to thofe, 
 who tura a deaf ear towards us; and looking 
 upon it to be as contrary to God's method, and 
 the good ftate cf our own fouls, to difpute with 
 any man in contentious words, as to fight with 
 him in defence of gofpel truths. 
 
 Come unto me, all ye that labour and an heavy 
 laden, and I will refrejh you, faith our bleffed 
 Lord; and again, he faith by Saint John, I will 
 
 give 
 
U ii ) 
 
 give unto him that is aihirfl^ of the fountain of 
 the water of life freely.; He called none elfe, be- 
 ciAgferno one elfe hath ears to hear, or a heart to 
 receive the truths of redemption. 
 
 Every man is a vain difputer, till fomething 
 has difturbed his ftate and awakened a fenfibi- 
 lity of his own evil and miserable nature; we 
 are all of us afraid both of inward and outward 
 diftrefs, and yet till diftrefs comes, our life is 
 but a dream, and we have no awakened feelings 
 of our own true ftate. • 
 
 We are apt to coniider parts and abilities, as 
 the proper qualifications for the reception of 
 divine truths ; and to wonder, that a perfon of 
 a fine underftanding fhould not immediately 
 embrace juft and folid doctrines: But the mat- 
 ter is quite otherwife; had man kept pofTefFion 
 of his firft glorious ftate, there had been no 
 foundation for the gofpel redemption, and the 
 -doctrine of the Crofs muft have appeared quite 
 unreafonable to be prefTed upon him; and there- 
 fore, fays our Lord, To the poor is the gofpel 
 preached, it is foiely to them, and to none elfe; 
 that is, to poor fallen man, who has loft all the 
 true natural riches and greatnefs of his divine 
 life, to him is the gofpel preached; but if man 
 feels and knows nothing of this poverty of his 
 nature, he is not the perfon to whom the gof- 
 pel belongs; it has no more fuitablenefs to his 
 ftate, than it had to man unfallen; and then, 
 the greater his parts and abilities are, the better 
 is he qualified to fhew the folly of every Doc- 
 trine, of which he has no want; and (being 
 ignorant of the depth of his heart) to glofs over 
 the neceiikies and infirmities of his nature. 
 
( » ) 
 
 Such a man, though he knows it not, is as 
 yet only at play and paftime in a matter of eter- 
 nal confequence, pleafing himfelf with fuppa'.- 
 ed, deep enquiries after ftricl truth, whilft he is 
 only fporting himfelf with lively, wandring 
 images of this or that, juft as they happen to 
 Hart up in his mind; but till he fees himfelf in 
 the ftate of the prodigal fon, and feels himfelf 
 that very perfon there recorded, he cannot fee 
 the fitnefs of that redemption, which the in- 
 finite love of Gtfd offers to him: Such an one, 
 alas! is rich, he is found, light is in his own 
 power, goodnefs is in his own pofleffion, and 
 eternal life within his own reach; he feels no 
 diftrefs or darkiiefs, but has a crucible of reafon 
 and judgment, that on every occafion feparates 
 gold fromdrofs; therefore he muit he left to 
 his own Elyjium, till the tender mercy of God 
 awakens him by other methods than argument 
 and difputation. 
 
 Let us beware alfo of the religious Pharifee, 
 who raves againft fpiritual religion, becaufe it 
 touches the very heartftring of all fyifemati- 
 cal divinity, and makes the very foundation of 
 every Babel in every Chriitian country; for not 
 a fyftem of divinity, fince fy items were in be- 
 ing, whether Popifh or Proteftant, deferves a 
 better name. 
 
 All preachers of the true, fpiritual myftery, 
 of a birth, light aqd life from above, in and 
 by Jefus Chrift, ever were, and will be treated 
 by the reigning, fafhionable orthodoxy, as ene- 
 mies to the letter and ordinances of the gof- 
 pel; in like manner as the prophets in the Jew- 
 
 ijb 
 
( 13 ) 
 ijh church (who were the myftic preachers of 
 that difpenfation) were defpifed and condem- 
 nW y , for calling people to a fpiritual meaning 
 of the dead letter, to a .holinefs infinitely grea- 
 ter than that, which they placed in outward 
 facrificeSj forms and ceremonies. ' h 
 
 Whoever he be that has any iituatio.n of his- 
 own to defend, be it that of a celebrated preach- 
 er, a champion for received orthodoxy, a heady 
 a leader or follower of any fecf. or party, or par- 
 ticular method, or that feems, both in his own. 
 eyes, or in the eyes of others, to have made 
 himfelf fignificant in any kind of religious di- 
 flinction ; every fuch peribn fooner or later will 
 find, that he has much of that very fame to 
 give up, which hindered the zealous and emi- 
 nently religious Phariiee from converting to 
 Chrift in the fpirit of a little child. 
 
 Nor doth it help the matter, that fuch art 
 one abounds with piety and excellency; for St. 
 Paul was governed by a fpirit of great piety, 
 great excellency and zeal for God, when he was 
 perfecuting the difciples of Chrift. He fays of 
 himfelf, That he lived in all good conference \ as 
 touching the law biamelefs^ and according to the 
 ft rait eft feci of the Jewifh religion : for the Pha- 
 rifecs, though many of them had all that hypo- 
 crify and rottennefs which Chriit. laid to their 
 charge, yet as a feci they were an order of mod 
 conferled and refplendent fanctity; and yet the 
 more earned and upright they were in this kind 
 of zeal for goodnefs, the more earneftly they 
 oppofed and condemned the heavenly my.dery 
 of a new life from Chriu% as appears from St. 
 Paul, B 
 
( i4 ) 
 
 This fed: of the Pharifees did not ceafe With 
 the Jewijh church, it>only loft its old name, jf 
 is (till in being, and fprings now in the iame 
 manner from the gofpel, as it did then from the 
 law; it has the fame place, lives the fame life^ 
 does the fame work, minds the fame things, 
 has the fame goodnefs at heart, has the fame 
 religious honour, and claim to piety, in the 
 Chriftian, as it had in the Jewijh church; and 
 as much miftakes the depths of the myftery of 
 the gofpel, as that feci: miftook the myftery fig- 
 nified by the letter of the Law and the Prophets. 
 
 It would be eafy to fhew in feveral inftances, 
 how the leaven of that feet works amongft us, 
 juft as it did amongft them : Have any of the ru- 
 lers believed on him? was the orthodox queftion 
 of the antient Pharifees. Now we Chriftians 
 readily and willingly condemn the weaknefe 
 and folly of that queftion; and yet who does 
 not fee, that, for the moft part, both prieft and 
 people, in every Chriftian country, live and 
 govern themfelves by the folly and weaknefs 
 of the very fame fpirit which put that quefti- 
 on-, for when God, as He has always done 
 from the beginning of the world, raifes up pri- 
 vate and illiterate perfons, full of light and 
 wifdom from above, fo as to be able to difcover 
 all the workings of the myftery of iniquity, 
 and to open the ground, and truth, and abso- 
 lute neceffity of inch an inward Spirit and Life 
 of Ch-rili: revealed in us, as time, carnal wifdom, 
 and worldly policy have departed from; when 
 all this is done, by the weakeft inftruments of 
 God, in fuch a fun pi i city and fulnefs of de- 
 mon- 
 
< 15 } 
 
 monflration as may be juftly deemed a miracle; 
 do not Clergy and Laity get rid of it all, though 
 evep-.fo unanfwerable, merely by the ftrength 
 of the Pharifees good old queilion, faying with 
 them, " Have any of the Rulers believed and 
 " taught thefe things? Hath the church in 
 " council or convocation ? Hath Calvin, Luther, 
 " Zwingliiis, or any of our renowned Syftern- 
 " makers, ever taught or afferted thefe mat- 
 l* tersr" 
 
 But hear what our blefTed Lord faith, of the 
 place, the power, and origin of truth; he 
 refers us not to the current doctrines of the 
 times, or to the fyftems of men, but to his own 
 Name, his own Nature, his own Divinity hid- 
 den in us: My Jheep, faith he, hear my voice. 
 Here the whole matter is decifively determined, 
 both where truth is, and who they are that can- 
 have any knowledge of it. 
 
 Heavenly truth is no where fpoke but by the 
 voice of Chrift, nor heard but by a power -of 
 Chrift living in the hearer. As He is the eter- 
 nal only Word of God, that fpeaks forth all 
 the wifdom, and wonders of God; fo He alone 
 is the Word, that fpeaks forth all the life, wif- 
 dom, and goodnefs, that is or can be in any 
 creature; it can have none but what it has in 
 him and from him; this is the one unchangeable 
 boundary of truth, goodnefs, and every perfec- 
 tion of men on earth, or angels in heaven. 
 
 Literary learning, from the beginning to the 
 end of time, will have no more of heavenly 
 wifdom, nor any lefs of worldly foolifhnefs in 
 it, at one time than at another; its nature is 
 
 one 
 
( i6 ) 
 
 one and the fame through all ages ; what it was 
 in the Jevv and the Heathen, that lame it is in 
 the Chriftian. Its name as well as native is 
 unalterable, viz. fooh/hnefs with God. 
 
 Though the mockings of fuch men, and the 
 many other fpiritual conflicts with the world, 
 the flefh, and the devil, may abound with trials 
 difagreeable to flefh and blood, yet be of good 
 dxear and. fear not; ft ana faft in the Lor d^ and 
 he vv.il hear thee in the day of trouble \ the 'Name 
 ■/' the God cf Jacob will defend thee-, he will 
 j end thee help jrem the /ancluary, and \ftrengthen 
 thee out of 8 ion. The Lord of Hosts, who has 
 overcome the world, will flrengthen thee, and 
 give thee the victory in. ail things; and this is 
 the victory that overumeth the world, even our 
 Faith: fight therefore the good fight of Faith, for 
 to him that overcometh. our almighty Saviour 
 by his Holy Spirit hath promifed to give the tree 
 of life. — That he fhall not. be hurt of the fecond 
 death — That he fhall fit zvith him; and that he 
 /ball inherit all things *. Even fo grant, blefled 
 Lord, to every one that calleth upon thy name. 
 Amen, 
 
 For your afliilance in this ftate of trial, I will 
 tranferibe a few Rules, which have long lain 
 by me for my own ufe; and may the God of 
 all comfort bring them home to your heart with 
 a fulnefs of bleiling, and make them infirument- 
 al to unite you more firmly to him. 
 
 I. Re- 
 
 * Thefe, and many like pairages, may be read in the 
 Jpoaa-ypfs, and in other parts of the holy Scripture. 
 
( «7 ) 
 
 I. Receive every outward and inward trou- 
 ble, every difappointrnent, temptation, and de- 
 flation, with both thy hands, as a true oppor- 
 tunity of dying to fei.f, and of entering into a 
 fuller fellowihip with thy felr-denying fuffering^ 
 Saviour. 
 
 II. Look not at any inward or outward 
 trouble in any other view; rej eel: every other 
 thought about it; and then every kind of trial 
 and diflrefs will become the blefied day of thy 
 profperity. 
 
 III". Be afraid of feeking or finding comforC 
 in any thing but God alone. What eonftitutes 
 a pure heart? one to which God alone is total- 
 ly, and purely fufikient; to which nothing 
 relifhes, or gives delight but God alone! 
 : IV. That ftate is beft, which exercifeth the 
 higheft Faith in, and fulled reiignation to God. 
 
 V. What is it vou want and feek, but that: 
 God may be all in all in jolt? But how can this 
 be, unlefs all creaturely good and evil become 
 as nothing in you, or to you ? Oh my foul i ab- 
 stract thy teU from every thing. What haft thou 
 to do with' changeable creatures? Waiting and 
 expecting thy Bridegroom, who is the author 
 of all creatures, let it be thy fole concern that 
 he may find thy hearfe' free anddifengaged as 
 often as it fhall pieafe him to vifit thee, 
 
 VL Be allured 6f this, that fooner o^ later,, 
 we mult be- brought to this conviction, That* 
 every thing in ourselves by nature is evil, and 
 muft be entirely given up; and that nothing 
 tbat-is creaturely can make us better than we 
 B 2 arf/ 
 
( r8 ) 
 
 are by nature. Happy therefore and blefled 
 are all thole inward or outward troubles, that 
 batten this conviction in us; rhat with the whole 
 $frehigi4i &f our fouls, we may be driven to leek 
 ajMi om and in God, without the leait thought, 
 hope, or contrivance after any other relief: 
 'I lien it is, that we are made truly partakers 
 of the crofs or Chriii, and from the bottom of 
 our hearts (hail be enabled to fay with Saint 
 Paiil, God forbid that I fhould glory in any things 
 fave the crofs of cur Lord Jefus Chriji, by which 
 I am crucified to the world, and toe world is cru- 
 cified to me. 
 
 VII. Finally, Give up yourfe'f to God with- 
 out referve This implies inch a Itate or habit 
 of heart, as does nothing of kfelf, from its own 
 reafon, will or choice, but Hands always in faith, 
 hope, and abfolute dependence upon being led 
 by the Spirit of God in every thing and every 
 occafion, that is according to God's will and 
 deiign with us; feeking nothing by dehgning T 
 reaioningv and reflection, but how you fhall 
 bed promote the honour of God in finglenefs 
 of heart; meeting every thing that every day 
 brings forth, as fomething that conies from 
 God, and is to be received and gone through 
 in inch an heavenly ufe of it, as you. would 
 fuppofe the holy Jefus would have done, in fuch 
 occurrences. — This is an attainable degree of 
 perfection, and by having Chrift and his Spirit 
 always in your eye, and nothing elfe, you will 
 never be left to yourfelf, nor without the full 
 guidance of God, 
 
 EX- 
 
c m ) 
 
 E XT R AC TS, &c'" . 
 
 THAT grand enemy of mankind, the devil, 
 is very jultly caicd in icnpmre the pnnce 
 and god of this world, for indeed he has great 
 power in it, many of its rules, and principles 
 being invented by this evil 'fpirit, the father of 
 all lies and raifhood, to feparate lis from God* 
 and prevent our return to happinefs: For, ac- 
 cording to the fpirit and vogtie of this ■ world, 
 whofe corrupt air we have liP breathed, there 
 are many things that pafs for great and honour- 
 able, and moft delii able, which yet are fo far 
 from being fo, that the true greatnefs and ho- 
 nour of our nature confiits in the not defiring 
 them. To abound in wealth, to have fine houfes 
 and rich cloaths, to be attended with fplen- 
 dor and equipage, to be beautiful in our per- 
 fons, to have titles of dignity, to be above our 
 fellow-creatures, to be looked on with admira- 
 tion, to overcome our enemies with power, to 
 heap up treafures upon earth, to add houfe to 
 houfe and field to field, and delight ourfelves in 
 the moft cottly manner, thefe are the great, the 
 honourable, the defii able things, to which the 
 fpirit of the world turns the eyes of moft peo- 
 ple. And many a man is afraid of ftanding (till, 
 and not engaging in the purfuit of thefe things, 
 left the fame woild ihould take him for a fool. 
 
 Yet the hiftory of the gofpel, is chiefly the 
 hiftory of ChrifVs conquer! over this fpirit of 
 the world, and the number of true Chriftians, 
 is only the number of thofe, who following the 
 fpirit of Chrift, have lived contrary to this fpi- 
 rit of the world, 
 
C 20 1 
 
 This is the mark of Chriitianity, Lay not up for 
 yeur/elves trea fares upon earthy Mat. vi. 19. How 
 hardly fh all they that have riches enter the kingdom ef 
 God, Mark x. 23. The dec uitfulmfs of riches choke 
 the word, Mat. xiii. 22. Wo unto you that are rich t 
 for ye have received your- confolation, Luke vi. 24. 
 IVhofoever is born of God over comet h the world, 1 
 John v. ■ 4 , Set your ajfeElions on things above, a nd 
 not on things on earth, for ye are dead, and your life 
 is hid with Chrifi ij&God, CoU iii. 2. Love not the ' 
 wond, nor the things of the world. If any, man love 
 the world, the love of the Father is not in -trim; for 
 all that is in the world, the tuft of the flefh, the iuft 
 of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Fatner; 
 but is of the world. 1 John ii. 15. Know ye not 
 that the friend fhip of the world is enmity with God, 
 whojoever there] ore .will be a- friend of the world 
 is the enemy of God, James iv. 4. Be' not con- 
 formed to this world; but be ye transformed by the ' 
 renewing of your mind. Rom- xii. 2 . 
 
 This is the language of thQ whole New-Tef- 
 lament. You are to be dead to the world, and 
 to live a new life in Chrifi jefus our Lord. But 
 notwithstanding the clearnefs and plainnefs of 
 thefe doctrines by which believers in Chrifi are 
 required thus to renounce the world, yet great 
 part of the ChriiHans live and die flaves to the 
 cuftoms and tempers of the; world. ., Learn of 
 me, faith our blefTed Saviour, for 1 am meek and 
 lowly in heart, and you flmll find reft to your fouls* - 
 Mat. s.L 29V- Now this meek, ■•this lowly ftate, 
 that conititutes thetruereft of. the foul, cannot 
 fubful in any mind, butfo far as it is thus dead 
 
 to 
 
 '.-■ 
 
( 21 ) 
 to the world, and has parted with all deiires of 
 enjoying all its riches, pleafures and honours. 
 So that in order to be truly humble, you inuit 
 unlearn all thefe notions, which you have been 
 all your life learning, from this corrupt fpirit ot 
 the world. You can make no ft and againft the 
 aiTaults of pride, the meek affections of humi- 
 lity can have no place in your fouls, till you 
 ftop the power of the world over you, and re- 
 folve asrainft a blind obedience to its laws. And 
 when you are once advanced thus far, as to be 
 able to ftand Hill in the torrent of worldly fafh- 
 ions, and opinions, and examine the worth and 
 value of things, which are moft admired and 
 valued in the world, you have gone a great way 
 in the gaining of your freedom, and have laid 
 a good foundation for the amendment of your 
 heart. Think upon the rich, the great, and 
 the learned perfons, that have made great figures, 
 and been high in the efteern of the world; ma- 
 ny of them died in your time, and yet they 
 are funk, and loft, and gone, and as much dis- 
 regarded by the world, as if they had been on- 
 ly io many bubbles of water. And is it worth 
 your while to lofe the fmalleft degree of virtue, 
 for the fake of pleafing fo bad a mafter, and fo 
 falfe a friend, as the world is? Is it worth your 
 while to bow the knee to fuch an idol, as this 
 that, fo foon will have neither eyes, nor ears, 
 nor a heart to regard you; inftead of ferv- 
 ing that great, and holy, and mighty God, that 
 will make all his fervants partakers of his own 
 eternity I 
 
 Our 
 
( » ) 
 
 Oar blelTed Saviour Jefus Chrift gave hlmfelf 
 for our fins, that he might deliver us Jrom this pre' 
 fent evil world, Gal. i. 4. Ghiftianity therefore 
 implieth a deliverance from this world; and he 
 that profeffeth it, profeffeth to live contrary to 
 every thing, and every temper, that is peculiar 
 to this evil world. The apoflle John declareth 
 this oppoiition to the world in this manner: 
 They are of the world, therefore [peak they of the 
 world, and the world heareth them-. We are of 
 God, &-c. 1 John iv. 5. This is the defcripti- 
 on of the followers of Chriit ; and it is proof 
 enough, that no people are to be reckoned 
 Chriftians in reality, who in their hearts and 
 tempers belong to this world. V/e know, faith 
 the fame Apoftie, that we are of God, and the 
 whole world lieth in wickednefs, Chap. v. 19. 
 Chrutians therefore can no farther know that 
 they are of God, than fo far as they know they 
 are not of the world, that is* that they dont 
 live according to the ways and fpirit of the 
 world. And. he is only of God, or born of 
 God, in Ghrid Jefus, who has overcome this 
 world, that is, who has chofen to live by faith, 
 and govern his actions by the principles of a 
 wifdom revealed from God, by Chrift Jefus. 
 They are not of this world, as I am not of this 
 world,, fays our bleffed Saviour. This is the 
 ftate. of Chriftianity with regard to this world, 
 the profeffion of Chriftians requiring them to 
 live as citizens of the new Jerufalem, and to 
 have their converfation in heaven. If you are 
 not thus out of, and contrary to the world, you 
 wjiat the diiiinguifhing mark of Chriftianity; 
 
 you 
 
( m ) 
 
 you dont belong to Chrift, but by being out of 
 the world, as he was out of it. We may de- 
 ceive, ourfelves; if we pleafe, with vain and 
 foftning comments upon thefe words; but they 
 are, and will be underftood in their firft fimpli- 
 city, and plainnefs, by every one that reads 
 them in the fame fpirit, that our blefled Lord 
 fpoke them. And to underftand them in any 
 lower, lefs fignificant meaning, is to let carnal 
 wifdom explain away that doctrine, by which 
 itfelf was to be deftroyed. 
 
 Our blefTed Saviour fuffered, and was a fa- 
 -crifice, to make our fuffering, and facrifice of 
 ourfelves fit to be received by God. And we 
 are to fuffer, to be crucified, to die, and to rife 
 with Chrift; or elfe his crucifixion, death, and 
 refurrection will profit us nothing. The ne- 
 cefiity of this conformity to all that Chrift did, 
 and fuffered upon our account is very plain from 
 •the whole tenor of fcripture. Firft, As to his 
 fufferings, this is the only condition of our be- 
 ing faved by them. If we fuffer with him, we 
 Jhall a I/o reign with him, 2 Tim. ii. 11. Second- 
 ly, As to his crucifixion, Knowing this, that our 
 old man is crucified with him, Rom. vi. 6\ Here 
 you fee Chrift is not crucified in our ftead; but 
 unlefs our old man be really crucified with 
 him, the crofs of Chrift will profit us nothing. 
 Thirdly, As to the death of Chrift, the condi- 
 tion is this: If we be dead with Chrift, -we believe 
 that we fiall alfo live with him, ver. 8. If there- 
 fore Chrift be dead alone, if we are not dead 
 with him, we are as fure from this fcripture, 
 that we fell not live with him. JLaftly, As to 
 
 the 
 
( 24 ) 
 the refurreclion of Chrifr, the fcripture (heweth 
 us, how we are to partake of the benefit of it: 
 
 If ye be ri fen with thrift, feek thofe things which 
 are above, where Chrifl fiiteth on the right hand 
 of God, Col. iii. i. It was for this reafon, that 
 the holy Jefus faid of his difciples, and in rhem 
 of all true believers, They are not of this world, 
 as I am not of this world, Becaufe all. true be- 
 lievers conforming to the fufferings, crucifixi- 
 on, death, and refurreclion of Chi iff, live no 
 longer after the fpirit and temper of tins world, 
 hut their life is hid with ChriM in God. This 
 is the Rate of Reparation from the world, tO' 
 which all orders of Chriftians are called. They 
 muft-fo far renounce all wordly tempers, be ib 
 far governed by the things of another life, as 
 to fhew, that they are truly and really cruci- 
 fied, dead, and rifen -with Chrift. If any man 
 be in Chrift he is a new creature, old things, are 
 pajjed away, behold all things are become mw, 2 
 Cor. v. 17., 
 
 The ancient Philofophers began all their vir- 
 tue in a total renunciation of the fpirjt of this 
 world; they faw with the eyes -of -heaven, that 
 darknefs was not more contrary to iight, than 
 the fpirit and wifdom of this world was con- 
 trary to divine wifdom: Therefore they allow- 
 ed of no progrefs' in virtue, but fo far as a 
 man had overcome himfelf, and the fpirit of 
 this world. This gave a divine folidity to all 
 their inflructions, and proved them to be ma- 
 ilers of true wifdom. But the docb ine of the 
 crofs of Ghrilt, the laif, the hisdieft, the molt 
 finifhing ftroke given to the fpirit of this world, 
 
 that 
 
{( 25 ) 
 that fpeaks more in one word, than all the phi- 
 lofophy of voluminous writers, is yet profefTed 
 by tfrofe, who are in more friendfhip with the 
 -world, than was allowed to the difciples of Pi- 
 thagoras, Socrates, Plato or Epicletus. Nay, 
 if thofe ancient Sages were to flart up amongft 
 us with their divine wifdom, they would bid 
 fair to be treated by the fons of the gofpel, ifc 
 not by fome Fathers of the church, as dream- 
 ing Enthufiafts. But, this is a {landing truth, 
 the world can only love its own, and wifdom 
 can only be juftified of her children. The hea- 
 ven-born Epicletus told one of his fcholars, That 
 then he might firft look upon himfelf as having made, 
 fome true proficiency in virtue , when the world took 
 him for a fool; an oracle like that, which faid, 
 the wifdom of this world is foolifhnefs with 
 God. 
 
 If you afk what is the apoftafy of thefe laft 
 times, or whence is all the degeneracy of the 
 prefent Chriflian church, it mull be placed to a 
 worldly fpirit If here you fee open wicked- 
 nefs, there only form of godlinefs, if here fii- 
 periicial holinefs, political piety, there haughty 
 i'anclity, partial zeal, if almofl every where, 
 you fee a Jewifh blindnefs, and hardnefs of 
 heart, and the church trading with the gofpel, 
 as vifibly, as the old Jews bought and fold 
 beads in their temple, all this is only fo many 
 forms, and proper fruits of the woddly ipirit. 
 This is the great net, with which the devil be- 
 comes a fifher of men; and be allured of this, 
 that every ion of man is in this net, till through, 
 and by the Spirit of Chi ill: he breaks out of it. 
 C I fay 
 
( *6 ) 
 
 I fay the Spirit of Chrift, for nothing elfe can 
 deliver him from it. If you truft to any kind 
 or form of religious obfervances, to any kind 
 of learning, or effort of human prudence, and 
 then I will tell you what your cafe will be, you 
 will overcome one temper of the world, only 
 and merely by cleaving to another: For nothing 
 can overcome or renounce the world, but fing- 
 ly and folely the Spirit of Chrift. Hence it is, 
 that many learned men with all the rich furni- 
 ture of their brain live and die Haves to the 
 fpirit of this world, the Spirit of Chrift is not 
 the only thing that is the jj&ire of their hearts, 
 and therefore their learning only works in and 
 with the fpirit of this world, and becomes it- 
 ielf no fmall parts of the vanity of vanities. 
 
 Would you know the evil nature and effect, 
 of a fpirit given up to the world, and not fub- 
 jected to the Spirit of Grace; you need only 
 look at the blefFed effect of a continual Mate of 
 watching, a continual humble application to 
 God in the true fpirit of prayer, for the one 
 goes downwards with the fame ftrength, as the 
 other goes upward, the one betroths, and weds 
 to an earthly nature, with the fame certainty, 
 as the other efpoufes, and unites to Chrift. The 
 fpirit of continual watchings and prayer, is a 
 preffing forth of the foul out of this earthly 
 life, it is a ftretchmg with all its defire after 
 the life of God, it is a leaving as far as it can, 
 all its own fpirit, to receive a fpirit from above, 
 to be one life, one love, one fpirit with Chrift 
 in L .-,od. This prayer, which is an emptying 
 iitfelf of all its own lulls and natural tempers, 
 
 and 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 and an opening itfelf for the light and love of 
 God to enter into it, is the prayer in the Name 
 of Qhrift, to which nothing is denied; for the 
 love which God bears to the foul, is an eternal 
 never ceafing dedre to open the birth of his 
 holy word and fpirit in it, and flays no longer 
 till the door of the heart open for Him; and 
 nothing does or can keep God out of the foul, 
 or hinder his union with it, but -the. defire of 
 the heart turned from it, What the foul de- 
 fireth, that is the fe.wel of its fire, and as its 
 fewel is, fo is the flame of its life. As we low 
 we fhall reap; if to the fpirit, we (hall reap life 
 and peace; if to the flefli, we fhall of the flefh 
 reap corruption. Wherever and in whatfoever 
 the will chufeth to dwell and delight, that be- 
 cometh the foul's food, its cloathing and habi- 
 tation. Since this is the cafe, let us flop a while, 
 let our hearing be turned into feeling. Let us 
 confider, whether there is any thing in life, that 
 deferves a thought, but how to keep in a con- 
 tinual (fate of watching and prayer, that we 
 may attain to that purity of heart, which alone 
 can fee, find and poffefs God. 
 
 WHAT caufe can be affigned for the op- 
 pofition to Gofpel-truths that appears 
 amongft us, and for that didike to thofe, who 
 urge the neceility of regeneration and of the 
 fpiritual life? The true reafon is nigh at hand, 
 tho' others are pretended: Such doctrines are 
 contrary to the maxims and principles that go- 
 vern the hearts and conduct of the children of 
 
 this 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 this generation, are at variance with the falfe 
 interefts of flefh and blood, declare open war 
 againft the kingdom of Self, and flrike at eve- 
 ry thing that is moft near and dear to corrupt 
 nature; and therefore carnal men of every de- 
 nomination think themfelves concerned in cha- 
 racter to oppofe and difcredit fuch a reprefenta- 
 tion of Chriftianity. They can be zealous for 
 opinions, forms, and an external worfhip of 
 any kind, be.caufe they leave them in quiet pof- 
 feffiori of their ambition, their covetoufnefs, 
 their love of themfelves, and their love of the 
 world: They can readily take up a profeflion 
 of faith in a iuffering Saviour, nay bring them- 
 felves to trufl in an outward covering of his 
 Merits and Righteoumefs for Salvation, becaufe 
 this cods them nothing; but to be cloathed with 
 his fpirit of humility, poverty and felf-denial ; 
 to renounce their own wills in his lowlinefs, 
 meeknefsf and total refignation to the will of 
 God, to mortify the flefhly appetites; to be cru- 
 cified to the world; to ftrip themfelves of all 
 complacency and fatisfaccion in thofe endow- 
 ments, whether natural or acquired, which ap- 
 pear great and glorious in the eyes both of 
 themfelves and others; and, in a word, to take 
 up their crofs, and nakedly follow a naked 
 Chrift in the regeneration: Thefe are hard fay- 
 ings, they cannot bear them: But wifdom is 
 juftified of her children; unacceptable as thefe 
 doctrines are to others, yet to them, and in 
 them too, they are the power of God, and the 
 wifdom of God. It was by fuch foolifhnefs of 
 preaching that ChrilTs kingdom iirft prevailed 
 
 over 
 
( 2 9 ) 
 over the kingdoms of this world; and it mud 
 be by the fame doctrine, under the influence of 
 the fame fpirit, that ue can only hope for its 
 continuance to the end of it. • 
 
 The way to any good degree of perfection 
 in the divine lire, lies thro' great mortification '- 
 and fdf-deniai- Some think it enough to get 
 doctrines into the head; but till the heart is in 
 fome meafure purified by faith, nothing is right- 
 ly done; and in order to this, the children of 
 Anak, (thoie corrupt paffions and inclinations, 
 that war againit the foul) rnuft be driven out, 
 the peivcrienefs of the will broken, the under- 
 
 '..ftanding' . Amplified, 4 the pride of our hearts 
 phickt up by the roots, and all the cords that - 
 bind us to the world, and the things of it, un- 
 t wilted; in a Aord, our idols muft be caft out, 
 and every curled thing removed that feparates 
 bet ixt God and us; for the pure in heart,' and 
 they only, shall lee God.' It was by this kind 
 of holy violence practiied on themselves, that 
 the worthies both of the Old and New Telia- 
 ment, in ail ages of the church, have laid hold i 
 on the. kingdom pf, heaven, been favoured with 
 fuch rich communications from God, and ena- 
 bled to work fuch wonders as furpafs the belief 
 of many in this degenerate incredulous age: 
 And that a preparatory difcipline of ftrictnefs 
 and feverity is neceffary in order to qualify us 
 
 .for any extraordinary vouchfafements of illu- 
 mination and grace, we may learn from the 
 fchoois initituted among the Jews for the train- 
 ing up of perfons for the prophetic office, where 
 they were educated in great abftradion from the 
 C 2 .: ,. worlds g 
 
( 3o j 
 world, in the government of their pafiions, and 
 liie mortification of their natural propeniions, 
 that being (o difengaged from the common im- 
 pediments of a holy life, they might be more 
 at liberty for devotion and the contemplation 
 of heavenly things, and by luch previous exer- 
 cifes become fit mftruments for the holy Spirit, 
 and more receptive of heavenly wifdom. Thus 
 came they out holy enthuliafts, men of God 
 furnifhed to every good word and woik, fcribes 
 well inftrucled unto the kingdom of heaven, 
 and fearlefs of giving offence in the way of duty, 
 even before kings, being no lels qualified for 
 reproof and correction, than for doctrine and 
 inft ruction in righteoufnefs; patterns thefe for 
 al ! perfons of a religious character, whether they 
 live in colleges or in kings houfes; whether they 
 attend on thofe who go cloathed in purple and 
 .fine linnen, and fare fumptuoufly every day, 
 or are called forth to a more promifcuous em- 
 ployment of their office; for tho' the difpenfa- 
 tion of prophecy, as it refpects the foietelling 
 luture events, has mjii i^ f iiiii ceafed in the 
 church, yet the character of prophets in the ca- 
 pacity of declarers of God's word and will, and 
 as denouncers of his judgments on all impeni- 
 rtents, even the moft dignified offenders, is ne- 
 ver to ceafe in it, neither is the Lord's hand 
 Ihortned that it cannot extend comfort and cou- 
 rage, light and direction for thefe purpofes now 
 as formerly: But, alas! our hearts are (trait ned 
 that they cannot receive it as they ought, and 
 we are io entangled, as to many of us, with 
 fuch an evil covetoufnefs after the things of this 
 
 life, 
 
( 3i ) 
 life, fo ftudious to feek the honour that cometh 
 of man, more than the honour that cometh of 
 God, that we want boldnefs to hold the faith 
 of our Lord Jefus Chrift without refpecr. of per- 
 fons: For let men be never fo highly titled or 
 charactered, let their pretenfions to learning be 
 what they will, and their acquaintance with 
 creeds, canons and commentators never fo ex- 
 tenfive, yet fo long as they continue men of 
 this world, and follow the things of it, fo long 
 as their affections are fet on things beneath, and 
 their hearts unfurrendered to God, they are not 
 better than dry bones as to the divine life, with- 
 out marrow or moifture; and as they cannot 
 in luch a ftate receive the things of the Spirit 
 of God, not having fpiritual ienfes exercifed- 
 thereto, fo will thefe things of courfe appear 
 foolifhoefs unto them in others, and they will 
 ipeak evil of that which they know not. It is 
 from a revival of the fpirit of true Chriftianity 
 in the hearts of men alone, that we can hope 
 to fee peace reftpred on earth among the divided 
 churches of Chriitendom. Whilif. religion re- 
 fides only in the reafoning part of man, it is 
 tinctured with all the prejudices and pafiions of 
 his nature, and his reakm will be ready to plead 
 for, or againft the truth, as intereft or educa- 
 tion fways him — But the wifdom that is from 
 above is firft pure, then peaceable, gerltle, full 
 of mercy, and without partiality; for the fame 
 good fpirit that enlightens the underftanding, 
 cleanfes the. heart of all bittertnefs, malice, and 
 hypocrify, and therefore operates by purenefs, 
 by knowledge, by love unfeigned, 
 
 THERE 
 
( 3^ ) 
 
 HERE is a communion of Saints in the 
 
 x . U>ve of God which no one can leain, from 
 'what is called Orthodoxy in the different Sects, 
 bur is 'only to be had by a total dying to woildly 
 view>, by a pure love of G: d and by fuch an 
 unction from above, as delivers the mind' from 
 fe!ti(h:iefs, and makes it love truth and goodnefs 
 with an equality of iffecbon in every man, let 
 his name and profeffi *n to Reh ion be what it 
 may. it is by thus uniting in heart and (pint, . 
 wi h all that is holy and good, in all profeffions 
 
 '"that we cnttv into the true communion of faints, 
 and become real members of the univerfal Chuf- 
 tfaxi Church ; as the Angels, who are mmiitnng 
 fpiifts, aiTut join, unite and co operate with eve- 
 ry thing that is : holy and good, in every diviiion 
 
 ; : 0f 'm'an'kinci. ■ 
 
 ** "The real ChriftianY heart is tendered and 
 i: enlarged, toward* all that come within the 
 6i embrace of his charity, which is as wide as 
 " the eatt is from the well He cannot wrangle 
 " arid hate about difference of opinion, foi he 
 " is got above them; his call, his univerfal call 
 € * is love, and he has adopted that laying of 
 Ci Luther, Li wbr?nfcever I fee a?iy th'mgcj Chrift 9 , 
 c ; him I love . Lit H i s rn a n , w h e r e 1 o e v e r h e i i v e s , 
 cu and by what name ft ever he is called, the 
 c; kingdom of Chriii is come, and of fuch hea- 
 Ci '■ venly men and women ir will confiit in that 
 "enlarged gorious ftate, which we are given 
 " to 4 look for. 5 ' 
 
 " The one true Church of Chrift is the com- 
 
 " munio'n. of Saints, and cha ity; true charity, 
 
 « i. e. The love of Chrift is the hie and foul of it. 
 
 ■ ....... AN 
 
( 33 ) 
 ©*************© 
 
 * A *N eminent fervant of GOD, who had 
 XjL known deliverance from the dark powers, 
 and experimentally felt the powers of the world 
 to come, a few hours before his death, expref- 
 fed himfelf in the following words: " There is 
 " a fpirit which I feel, that delights to do no 
 " evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights 
 " to endure all things, in hopes to enjoy its own 
 " in the end; its hope is to outlive all wrath 
 " and contention, and to weary out all exalta- 
 tion and cruelty, or whatfoever is of a na- 
 ture contrary to itfelf; it fees to the end of 
 all temptations; as it bears no evil in itfelf, 
 fo it conceives none in thought to any other; 
 for its ground and fpring is the mercies and 
 forgivenefs of God; its crown is meeknefs; 
 its life is everlafiing love unfeigned, and 
 takes its kingdom with intreaty, and not 
 with contention, and keeps it by lowlinefs of 
 " mind; in God alone it can rejoice, though 
 " none elfe regard it, or can own its life; 'tis 
 <c conceived in forrow, and brought forth with- 
 " out any to pity it, nor cloth it murmur at 
 <c grief and oppreffions; it never rejoiceth but 
 <s through fuxterings, for with the world's joy 
 « c it is murdered. I found it alone, being for-. 
 " faken: I have fellow fhip therein with thofe 
 " that lived in dens and ciefolate places of the 
 " earth, who through death obtained refurrec-. 
 " tioa and eternal noly life, 5 ' 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 Serious Refleclions affeclionately recoimriended 
 to the Well-d'ippofed of every Religious De- 
 nomination, particularly thofe <who Mourn 
 and Lament on account of the Calamities 
 which attend us ; and the infeiifibility that 
 fo generally prevails. 
 
 IF People had never feen War kindled in a 
 Country and between neighbouring Nati- 
 ons, they could hardly believe that men would 
 be fb inattentive to the dictates of Reaion, the 
 tender feelings of humanity and the more fub- 
 lime nature and precepts of the Gofpel, * as de- 
 liberately to engage in battle for the deftruction 
 of each other. That loaded as men are with 
 their own frailties and m'iferies, they mould in- 
 duftrioufly labour to encreafe them and con- 
 trive new ways for the rum and flaughter one 
 of another. They have but a (hort and uncer- 
 tain time to live, a work of the greater!: im- 
 portance to perform, f and yet will not fuffer 
 thofe awful moments to pafs away in peace. 
 
 " Wars, 
 
 ♦ Mat. v. 44. Love your Enemies, blefs them that 
 curfe you; do good to them that hate you, and pray 
 for them which defpitefully ufe you and perfecute 
 you; that ye may be the Children of your Father 
 which is in Heaven. 
 
 f Philip, ii. 12. Work out your own Salvation with 
 fear and trembling. — For what is a man profited if 
 he gain the whole world, and loie his own Soul, 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 " Wars, fays an Antient Father, are Spectacles 
 * c by which the devil doth cruelly fport with 
 " Mankind." And Bifhop Taylor well ob- 
 ferves. " That as contrary as cruelty is to mer- 
 Xi cy; tyranny to charity, fo is War and Biood- 
 " fhed to the Meeknefs and Gentlenefs of the 
 " Chriftian Religion. " The apoftle James hath 
 clearly anfwered the queftion with refpecT: to the 
 occafion of War chap, iv. i. " From whence 
 " come Wars and Fightings amongfl you? come 
 " they not hence even of your luRs?" How 
 extreme then muft be that corruption which 
 produces fo defperate an effecl. It is now feve- 
 ral years fince the hand of God has been lifted 
 up in Judgment; great diflrefs and fufferings 
 have and frill do attend us; multitudes of our 
 Fellow-men have been hurried into Eternity, 
 and yet the People do not appear humbled nor 
 careful to inquire into the true caufe. Sin- 
 ners are chaftifed, and yet remain unconverted. 
 Let us look no where elfe but in ourfelves 
 for the caufe of our miferies; our Sins are our 
 greateft Enemies and draw upon us all the refh 
 We fight againft thofe we efleem our Foes, and 
 inflead of labouring to overcome our fins, we 
 baiely, yield to their temptations. 
 
 It is the Sighing and Supplications of the 
 contrite hearted which God will hear, and when 
 his anger is paffed over, He will remember his 
 former mercies. Let us, beloved Brethren, not 
 forget our profeflion as Chriftians; nor the blef- 
 fing piomiied by Chritt to the Peace-makers * 
 
 but 
 * Mat. v 9. BK- fled are the Peace-makers; for they 
 
 ihall be called the Children of God. 
 
 r 
 
( 36 ) 
 but let all fincerely addrefs our common Father 
 for ability to pray, not for the deftru&ion of 
 our Enemies, who are dill our Brethren, the 
 Purchafe of our bleffed Redeemer's blood ; but 
 for an agreement with them. Nor in order to 
 indulge our paflions in the Gain and Delights 
 of this vain World, and forget that we are 
 called to be as Pilgrims and Strangers in it; 
 but that we may be more comppfed and better 
 fitted for the kingdom of God; that in the 
 difpenfations of his good p'eafure he may grant 
 us fuch a Peace, as may prove to the confo- 
 lation of the Church, as well as the Nation, 
 and be on earth an image of the tranquillity of 
 Heaven. * 
 
 B 
 
 * Our Saviour enjoins us to pray to our Father, 
 Mat. vi. 10. Thy will be done on Earth, as it is 
 done in Heaven — forgive us our Debts, as we forgive 
 our Debtors, 
 
The bleffed Effecl of a Holy Life and 
 Daily Conversation ivith GOD, 
 exemplified in ajhort Extracl of the Life 
 tf/ARMELLE NICOLAS, a poor 
 ignorant Country Maid. 
 
 To the READER. 
 
 THE perfon, whofe daily converfation is 
 here defcribed, was not long finee a poor 
 fimple country maid, and fervant to a great 
 family in France. The whole courfe of her 
 life was very inflructive, and a mod mining 
 pattern of a true fpiritual converfation. The 
 particulars here related are taken out of the 
 1 8/6 chapter of the fecond part of her Life r 
 giving great encouragement to a daily and 
 uninterrupted converfation with God, and to 
 walk before him as the omniprefent Lord and 
 Father. 
 
 If we knew nothing elfe of Chriflianityy 
 nor any other exercife but this, to fpend one 
 day after another in this manner, it would be 
 fufncient. 'Tis very remarkable, that this 
 perfon, who ferved God with unwearied pray- 
 er and watch f ulnefs, was fo ignorant, that £he 
 could neither read nor write, and withal a 
 fervant, conftantly employed in bufinefs and 
 hard labour. By this we fee that the true 
 fervice of God is fpiritual, universal, plain and 
 eafy, fo that no perion can be excufed from 
 it by any pretence whatfoever. 
 
( % ) 
 
 A Christian's Daily Converfation 
 -with GOD. 
 
 AS foon as I wake in the morning, faith 
 Jbe, I throw myfelf into the arms of my 
 heavenly Love, as a -child into the arms of his 
 father. I rife with a deiign to ferve and pleafe 
 him. And if 1 have time to pray, I fall upon 
 my knees in his holy prefence, and fpeak to 
 him, as if 1 really faw him with my bodily 
 eyes. I give myfelf up wholly to him, and 
 deilre him to fulfil all his holy will in me, and 
 that he would not fuffer me that day to do the 
 leatl thing which might be ofTenfive to him. 
 Then 1 recommend to him all the prayers 
 which fhall be made that day. In fhort: I 
 love and praife him as much and as lon£ as 
 my affair! permit; tho' very often I have hard- 
 ly fo much time as to fay the Lord's prayer. 
 But I do not trouble myfelf about that; for 
 I nave God always in my heart, as well when 
 I am about my buiinefs, which I do in obedi- 
 ence to his will, as when I retire on purpofe 
 to pray to him. This he himfelf has taught 
 nie, that whatever I do out of love to him, is 
 a real prayer. 
 
 I drefs myfelf in his prefence, and he fhews 
 Hie that his. love fupplies me with raiment. 
 And when I go about my bufinefs, even then 
 doth he not forfake me, nor I him, but he 
 converies with me, and I with him; yea, I 
 am then as much united to him, as when I am 
 
 at 
 
( 3 ) 
 at my prayers, fet apart on purpofe for my fpi- 
 ritual recollection. O! how fweet and eafy is 
 all labour and toil in fuch good company! 
 Sometimes I perceive fuch ftrength and fup- 
 port in my mind, that nothing is too hard for. 
 me, and I think myfelf alone able to manage 
 the affairs of the whole family. Nothing but 
 the body is at work, the heart and myfelf 
 burn with love in the fweet familiarity I en- 
 tertain with God. 
 
 When I am about my bufinefs in the day- 
 time, running up and down, till the body 
 begins to be weary, or to repine, or to defire 
 unfeafonable reft, being oppreffed with anger 
 and uneafinefs, my divine love enlightens me 
 forthwith, and mews me, how I ought to 
 fupprefs thofe rebellious motions of corrupt; 
 nature, and not to nouriih them at all, either 
 by word or deed. This love keeps the door 
 of my lips, and watches over my heart, that 
 .it may not in the lead contribute to fuch irre- 
 gular paflions, which thus are crufhed and 
 fubdued as foon as they rife. 
 
 But if, at any time, for want of care, I am 
 furprifed with thefe or the like faults, I cannot 
 be at reft, till I have obtained pardon, and 
 God be reconciled to me. I lie proftrate be-, 
 fore his foot-ftool, confefling all my faults to 
 him, as if he did not know them already ; 
 and there I continue, till he has forgiven me, 
 renewed his frienclfhip with me, and confirmed 
 it more than before. For fo it always happens 
 through his infinite mercy, whenever I have 
 committed a fault, which, ferves but to inflame 
 
 my 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 my heart more and more with his divine love. 
 If people perfecute me, and by foul and un- 
 charitable cenfures raife fcandals upon me,' or 
 any other way afRicl; me; or if evil f pints attack 
 me with their crafty and cunning temptations, 
 I then prefently run to my heavenly Love, 
 who readily flrefches forth his f«cred aims to 
 receive me, (hewing me his heart and wounds 
 open for my fecurity ; in which I hide myfelf 
 as in a flrong caflle and fortreis. And then 
 I am fo mightily ftrengthned, that if the 
 whole army of heil itfeif, together with all 
 the creatures, fhould rife up again ft me, I 
 fear them no more than a fly, becaufe 1 am 
 under the protection of the moft high God, 
 his love being the hiding-place and fafe-guard 
 of my foul. 
 
 If God at any time hides his face, making 
 as if he would go away from me, I tell him j 
 44 O! 'tis no matter, my Love, conceal thy- 
 <; felf as much as thou pleafeft, neverthelefs 
 •" I'll ferve thee ; for I know thou art my 
 * c God." And then I ftand upon my guard 
 more than ever, to be faithful to him, for fear 
 of difpleafing my Love. And at the fame 
 time perceiving the greatnefs of my mifery 
 and poverty, 1 infift the more upon the merits 
 of our Saviour, and refolve to reft contented, 
 tho' it mould pleafe him to leave me all the 
 days of my life in fuch a condition. But he 
 never lets me continue long under thefe cir- 
 cumftances, and if I may venture to fpeak, 
 he cannot forbear loving me 3 any more than 
 1 can live without him. 
 
 If 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 fit I am perfuaded to be merry in company,, 
 I excufe myfelf. For nothing can be compa- 
 red to the pleaiures of my Love, which are 
 fo much the fweeter and greater, for my with- 
 drawing from all company whatfoever. If 
 they wonder, how I can flay always at home 
 alone, I think within myfelf: " O ! if yoil 
 (i knew the glorious company I have, you 
 * would not lay that I was alone ; for I am 
 " never lefs alone, than when I have nobody 
 " with me." 
 
 The night coming on, and every one going 
 to reft, 1 frad reft only in the arms of divine 
 Love: I fleep leaning on his holy bread, like 
 a child in his mother's bofom. I iay, I go to 
 fleep, but being Mill bulled about the love and 
 praifes of my God, till I fall quite afleep. 
 Many times this Love roufes up ail my fenfes, 
 fo that I cannot fleep the greateit part of the 
 night, but I -fpend it in the embraces of the 
 lovely grace of God, which never forfakes 
 fuch a poor miferable creature as I am, but 
 preierves me, and takes fpecial care of me. 
 
 If in the night the evil fpirits hover about, 
 to torment or to furpn'fe me, (which often, 
 happens) this divine Love guards me, and 
 figi ts for me. Ye^, it gives me grace too ? to 
 refill them couragioufly, as if I were awake. 
 For chey ieldom continue long to afiault me 3 
 unlefs it be in my fleep, 
 
 And this is the life I have led for th'efe twen- 
 ty years pall, without perceiving the leaf:: 
 change of that love which was poured ouc 
 into my heart, after my fincere conveifion 
 A 2U unto- 
 
i 6 ) 
 
 pnto him. Nay, I have obferved its daily 
 increase, tho' every day it feemed impollihle 
 to endure any addition to wha» I already en- 
 joyed. But truly, it is an infinite love, which 
 Satisfies and nourifhes me, fo that every day I 
 have a new hunger, tho* methinks I can re- 
 ceive no more, than what I poffefs already 
 every moment. 
 
 THE author of her life fays, concerning: 
 the manner of her expreflions, that they were 
 always very modeft, without any noife or 
 vehemence : her common difcourfes were al- 
 ways holy and edifying ; whereas others toe* 
 commonly mis-fpend their time in ufeleis con- 
 versation and unprofitable talk. If (he wa.s in 
 company, where they talked of indifferent or 
 evil things, fhe had the faculty of giving 
 them fuch a handfome turn, as to bi ing_thtm 
 quite off from that, to fome good and ufeful 
 i'ubjecl. 
 
 For a long while me could bear no other 
 % difcourfe but of God and his holy Love. / 
 cannot imagine, faid fhe, how a foul, created for 
 heaven, can be concerned about the drofs of this 
 ivor Id. From that time, it fhe happened to 
 be in company, where the fubjeel of the dif- 
 courfe was but indifferent, either fhe did not 
 mind it at all, entertaining herfelf in the mean 
 while with God ; or, as foon as (he thought 
 it proper, fhe diverted and changed the dif- 
 courfe ; thinking it but loft time, which was 
 fpent in the trifles of this world. 
 1 To 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 To every body, that had a mfnd to be ac- 
 quainted with God Almighty r fhe gave this 
 advice: " To be fllenfcy and to learn to keep 
 " their thoughts together in the center of the 
 " heart: for this (laid fhe) is the beginning of 
 Ci our union with God, and by there means 
 ftC the foul forgets earthly things, and raifes 
 " herfelf up to the contemplation of heavenly 
 * fr objects.. We ought to lofe our familiarity 
 t; with the creatures, if we defrre to enjoy 
 " the eonverfation of the Creator ; a moment 
 " of which doth afford more delight and 
 " fatihfaclion, than ail the fin eft difcourfes in 
 * the worlds* 
 
 One time when her miftrefs was afraid that 
 Armelle was like to run quite mad by an excefs 
 of devotion, fhe forbad her all fpiritual exer- 
 cifes and would not let her go even to church,, 
 excepr on the Lord's day onlyr Annette^ being 
 feniible of the falie ftep her miftrefs took, fmi- 
 led within hcrfelfy faying-, "■ Truly I am not 
 Jf mad, alter I have found my Beloved, whom; 
 " 1 now love with all my heart. I remember 
 " a time when 1 was feeking only God with- 
 " out me, and then I was mad indeed"." This 
 miftrefs of her's being of a four and morofe 
 humour, fhewed a deal of ill- nature toArmelIe T 
 of which, however, fhe never complained, 
 but rather thanked God, that he was pleaied 
 to make this a means of her fuller purification. 
 
 " If (faid (he) the foul be but well ground- 
 " ed in the favour of God, and lively affected 
 * ; with the operations of his grace, all the in- 
 
 " fults 
 
( 8 ) 
 cs fiilts of the devil, and of the creature, arc 
 " borne with joy and comfort. But this is 
 " mifery indeed, when the Lord himfelf ■• itfc- 
 " draws from the foul, and lets her fhift for 
 €C herfelf. Then fhe thinks, that every ftep 
 " is a ftep into fin and corruption, being ut- 
 " terly unable to protect herfelf againft it."' 
 
 In what company foever (he was, fhe talked 
 of nothing more, than of being faithful to 
 God. Nothing dropped more from her mouth,, 
 than, Let us be faithful, let us be faithful to the 
 Lord. This word the thought fit for any time, 
 and fuitable to every company. Now. and 
 then flie would repeat it an hundred times 
 over; and being afked by her friends, whether 
 fhe had nothing elfe to fay? She anfweied: 
 " Dont wonder at my faying this over and 
 . u over again. If I ihould live a.thoufand years, 
 " I fhould flill tell you the fame thing. For 
 " 'tis faithfulnefs, wherein the perfection of 
 " a Chriftian life cpnfifls^ 
 
 Of the conftraining power of the divine 
 love flie has the following expreflion: " When- 
 ;*-" ever I happened to adhere a little too much 
 " to my natural inclinations, (apt to fteal in 
 " upon the mind under the fpecious pretence 
 " of neceflity) I was immediately reproved 
 " by the love of God. This divine love is 
 " like a careful tutor, who takes ail the pains 
 u imaginable, for advancing his pupil in the 
 tc way of learning he is engaged in; and for 
 " this reafon keeps his eye conilantly fixed 
 " on him, both to correct his failings, though. 
 w never fo final!/ and to prevent his being 
 .v - " led 
 
( 9 ) 
 4! led away by any thing that might divert 
 64 him from his chief employment. Thus fays 
 U fbe, dealt the Lord with me. He kept me 
 " clofely confined to an holy awe and wari- 
 <c nefs; and when I happened by one over- 
 " fight or other to withdraw, as it were, from 
 fiC his eye, he in that very moment purfued 
 *« after me, and recalled me to my duty. But 
 " all this was done with fo much love and 
 " tendernefs, that it mull be a heart of brafs 3 
 " if not mollified by fuch endearing marks 
 ts of love and kind nefs." 
 
 No fooner was (he convinced of the will of 
 God, but was very earneft and diligent, to 
 anfwer it prefently. She often wondered at 
 fome people's dilatory doings in the fet vice of 
 God, and faid, it was a cunning fetch and 
 ftratagem of the devil, to make people put oft" 
 from one day to another fuch dcfigns as might 
 ferve to advance the glory of God, and the 
 good of our fellow creatures. " For, faid fhe,. 
 P it often happens, that that grace which at one 
 ¥ hour offers itfelf to a man, in order to fupport him 
 * c under fome difficult enterprifes, is not fo eajily 
 '*' met with at another time. And befldes this, 
 " how uncertain is our life! nay, if we were 
 * 4 fure to live longer, yet ought we not to 
 &fi linger upon that account at all, nor to de- 
 " fer from one day to another what might 
 tc be done this day. A man that is full of 
 <* delays in the fervice of God, mull needs 
 " have but little love at the bottom. Wher* 
 <c ever love is raifed to any confiderable degree \ 
 w there the foul cant refl^ whilft there-remains 
 
 " any 
 
( io ) 
 ■f any thing to be done required by the beloved, 
 " And this dilatory temper, Jbe /aid, was a 
 " great impediment in the way to perfection. 
 ." Many fouls were convinced of the will of 
 " God, but being too backward conitantly 
 " to ftruggle againft the corrupt propenfions 
 '< of their dull and lazy temper, they made 
 " but a flow progrefs in the work of religion. 
 " They fay, to-morrow, to-morrow it ih ill 
 " be done in good earned; but that to-mor- 
 _" row never comes. The confequence where- 
 " of is, that the longer they flatter themfelves 
 Ci in their diforderly and wonted cuftoms, the 
 " lefs able they are to refift them at lalt at all; 
 " the Lord leaves them now to their own 
 " will, fince they did not improve faithfully 
 'v what once they had received." 
 
 The virtue of humility was as remarkable 
 in this holy maid as any of the red; and it 
 was grounded on a true and folid foundation 
 too. She confeffes. herfelf, that the infinite 
 love of God kept her undeliled as to the 
 vanity of pride; infomuch that {lie did net 
 know what pride and hau?.htinefs was. " I 
 " was aftonifhed, fays J&e, when 1 was told 
 " to watch againft pride; for I thought whilfl 
 " I was well in my wits, I could not poilibly 
 ." be proud. 
 
 And this was the reafon, that (he never 
 .would quit that manner of life fhe was bred 
 to, though mean and contemptible in the eye 
 of the world. 
 
 , Even her fpiritual friends would now and 
 then mod importunately intreat her, to refig.n 
 
( " ) 
 
 up to any body elfe her place, (which was that 
 of a fervant) and this under a fair pretence 
 too, viz. That fhe might have the moie lei- 
 sure 'to give herfelf up to a contemplative life, 
 and thus to enjoy the favours and gracious in- 
 fuilons of the Lord more abundantly. 
 
 44 She faid, her outward employment and 
 " all the drudgery fhe was put to, did not 
 " at all cool or weaken the fenfe of the love, 
 " and of the gracious prefence of the Lord, 
 " me ufually enjoyed. Nay, the more fer- 
 " vent me was to fpend herfelf entirely in 
 * c works of chanty, cheerfully complying 
 "with every thing incident to her life, the 
 "more plentiful incomes me had of the love 
 " and favour of God. Hence, it would be 
 " the effects of a falfe heart, if one mould 
 " make bold to quit his outward employment, 
 " in ord-er to gain more refl and quiet in an- 
 " other place. God, fays fhe, knows ways to 
 " Jind fouls wherever they be, if they do not wiU 
 " fully Jhut their hearts again]} him. 
 
 Becaufe her love to ood was fo great and 
 fervent, the love fhe bore to her fellow-crea- 
 tures was alfo wonderfully influenced and 
 inflamed theieby. When fhe confidered the 
 wotul ffate of the wicked, and the dreadful 
 judgment that is like to befal them at laft, 
 fhe then felt a more tender and commiferating 
 love, and her very bowels began to yearn for 
 compaffion. When fhe looked upon the hap- 
 py ftate fhe was arrived to, and the fevere 
 doom attending fuch profligate wretches, fhe 
 ufed to fay, " She feerhed unto herfelf like 
 u one that had been in a great florm at fea, 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 " and by ftrefs of weather like to be caft away 
 " every minute; but getting off at laft iafe 
 " and found, remembered now afliore the 
 " dangers his brethren and near relations were 
 " frill expofed to, being toffed up and down 
 " in the huge ocean, and lefr to the mercy 
 " of the roaring billows. Ala^! faidfbe, thus 
 "■ it is with me, when I lay to .heart the dan- 
 " ger finners run themfelves inco. For the 
 " more endearing marks of divine grace the 
 " Lord has been pleaied to bellow upon me, 
 " the more fervent is my defire, that- alfo 
 " others might partake ot the fame with me." 
 
 i And now, ye learned meat, and refined wits 
 of the age, come hither and amire the igno- 
 rance and fimplicity of this poor country- maid! 
 Confider how far flie exceeds your high flown 
 fuperficial wifdom. and the dark flames of 
 human wit and learning? And was it poflible 
 for her, to attain to this heavenly wifdom and 
 divine knowledge, to Inch a nobienefs and ele- 
 vation of mind, without the fcraps and ailif- 
 tance of artificial learning and philofophy ? then 
 truly, there mull be another fchool wherein 
 thofe that flow unto the Lord, (Pf. xxxiv. 5.) 
 are lighted. Indeed, to know to love of Chrifl, 
 faffeth all knowledge, Eph iii. 19. Concern- 
 ing which our Saviour was pleafed thus to 
 exprefs his grateful fentiments with hearty 
 jo \ 9 and heavenly triumph: / thank thee, O 
 Father! Lord of heaven and earth, becaufe thou 
 haft hid thefe things from the wife and pru- 
 dent, and hajl revealed them unto babes. Even 
 fo, Father, for fo it feemed good in thy fight, 
 Mat. xi. 25, 2.6. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 m p o n 
 
 SLAVER X 
 
 By JOHN WESLET, A.M. 
 
 Genesis, Chap. iv. 
 
 And the "Lord f aid — What haft thou done ? the voice of 
 .thy brother's blood critth unto me from the ground. 
 
 3D® 
 
 LOND ON, PRI NT ED : 
 
 Re-printed in PHILADELPHIA, with notes, 
 and fold by Joseph Crukshank. 
 
 WD,CCjLXXIY, 
 
[4] 
 
 the content' of the matter can difiblve. 
 Neither in fome countries can the mailer 
 himfelf diffolveit, without the content of 
 judges appointed by law. It generally 
 gives the mafter an arbitrary power of any 
 correction not affecting life or limb. — 
 Sometimes even thefe are expoted to his 
 will : or protected only by a line, or fome 
 flight punifhmeut, too inficonderable to 
 retrain a mailer of an harm temper. It 
 creates an incapacity of acquiring any 
 thing, except for the mailer's benefit. It 
 allows the mafter to alienate the Have, in- 
 line fame manner as his cows and horfes. 
 Laftly, it defcends in its lull extent from 
 parent to child, even to the latefl gene- 
 ration. 
 
 3. The beginning of this may be dated 
 from the remoter! period, of which we 
 have an account in hiftory . It commenced 
 in the barbarous, ftate of fociety, and in 
 procefs of time fpread into all nations. It 
 prevailed particularly among the Jews, 
 the Greeks, the Romans , and the antienc 
 Germans : And was tranfmitted by them 
 to the various kingdoms and Hates, which 
 arofe out of the ruins of the Roman em- 
 pire. But after chriftianity prevailed, it 
 gradually fell into decline in almoft all 
 parts of Europe, This great change began 
 in Spain, about the end of the eighth cen- 
 tury 
 
r si 
 
 ttiry : And was become general in mod 
 othpr kingdoms of Europe* before the mid- 
 dle of the fourteenth. 
 
 4. From this time ih very was nearly 
 extinct, till the commencement of the fix-- 
 teenth century, when the difcovery of 
 America* and of the weftern and eaitern 
 coafts of Africa* gave occaiion to the revi- 
 val of it. It took its rife from the Portu- 
 guefe* who to fupply the Spaniards with 
 men, to cultivate their new poffeffions in 
 America* procured negroes from Africa ^ 
 whom they fold for Haves to the American. 
 Spaniards. This began in the year 1508, 
 when they imported the firft negroes into 
 Hifpaniola. In 1540 Charles the fifth, then 
 king of Spain* determined to put an end 
 to negro-f/avery : Giving pofitive orders. 
 That all the negro flaves in the Spanifh 
 dominions mould be fet free. And this 
 was accordingly done by Lagafca* whom 
 he fent and im powered to free them all, 
 on condition of continuing to labour for 
 their .mailers. But foon after Lagafca re ■ 
 turned to Spain May cry returned and flou- 
 rifaed as before. Afterwards other na- 
 tions, as they acquired poiTefiions in 
 America* followed the examples of the 
 Spaniards ; and flavery has now taken 
 deep root in moil of our American colonies, 
 R '£ II. -Such 
 
1 6 J 
 
 I 
 
 II. Such is the nature of Havery : Such 
 the beginning of negroflavery in America. 
 Butfome may defire to know, what kind 
 of country it is, from which the negroes 
 are brought ? What fort of men, of what 
 temper and behaviour are they in their 
 own country ? And in what manner they 
 are generally procured, carried to, and 
 treated m. America f 
 
 i. And firir, What kind of country is 
 that from whence they are brought ? Is it 
 ib remarkably horrid, dreary and barren, 
 that it is a kiudnefs to deliver them out of 
 it ? I believe many have apprehended fo : 
 But it is an entire miftake, if we may give 
 credit to thofe who have lived many years 
 therein, and could have no motive to 
 mifreprefent it. 
 
 2. That part of Africa whence the ne- 
 groes are brought, commonly known by 
 the ha«me of Guinea, extends along the 
 eoait, in the whole, between three and 
 four thoufaud miles. Erom the river Se.- 
 riegal, (feventeen degrees north of the line) 
 to Cape Sierra Leona, it contains feven 
 hundred miles. Thence it runs eaftward 
 about fifteen hundred miles, including the 
 Qrahi'.Goaj}, the Ivory-CoaJI, the Gold-Coaft, 
 and the Slave-Ccajl, with the large king- 
 dom of Benin, From thence it runs fouth- 
 war.d, about twelve hundred miles, and 
 
 contains* 
 
[7] 
 
 contains the kingdoms of Congo and An» 
 go! a. 
 
 g\ Concerning the firft, the Senegal- 
 Coaft, Monf. Brue, who lived there fixteen- 
 years, after defcribing its fruitfulnefs near 
 the fea, fays, " The farther you go from 
 the fea, the more fruitful and well-im- 
 proved is the country, abounding in pulfe, 
 Indian corn, and various fruits. Here aro 
 vaft meadows* which feed large herds of 
 great and fmail cattle. And the villages 
 which lie thick, mew the country is well 
 peopled." And again : M I was fuiprized, 
 to fee the land fo well cultivated ; fcarcs 
 a fpot lay un-improved : The lowlands 
 divided by fmall canals, were all fowed 
 with rice: The higher grounds were plantr 
 ed with Indian corn, and peas of different 
 forts. Their beef is excellent ; poultry 
 plenty and very cheap, as are all the ne~ 
 celfaries of life." 
 
 4. As to the Gram and Ivory Goaft^ we 
 learn from eye witneffes, that the foil is 
 in general fertile, producing abundance 
 of rice and roots. Indigo and cotton 
 
 thrive without cultivation.- Fifh is in 
 
 great plenty y the flocks and herds are 
 numerous, and the trees loaded with fruit. 
 
 ^5.^The Gold-Coajl and S/ave-Coafi, all 
 who have feen it agree, is exceeding fruit- 
 ful and pleafant, producing vaft quantities 
 
 w 
 
C 8- I 
 
 of rice and other grain, plenty of frurfr 
 and roots, palm-wine, and oil, and ilfh in 
 great abundance, with much tame and 
 wild cattle. The very fame account is. 
 given us of the foil and produce of the 
 kingdoms of Benin, Congo and Angola, — 
 From all which it appears, That Guinea in 
 general, far from being an horrid, dreary, 
 barren country, is one of the moft fruitful, 
 as well as the mod pleafant countries in 
 the known world. It is faid indeed to be 
 unhealthy. And fo it is to ftrangers, but 
 perfectly healthy to the native inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 6. Such is the country from which the 
 negroes are brought. We come next to 
 enquire, What fort of men they are, of 
 what temper and behaviour, not in our 
 plantations, but in their native country. 
 And here like wife the fureft way is to take 
 our account from eye and ear witneffes. 
 Now thole who have lived in the Senegal 
 country obferve, it is inhabited by three 
 nations, the J alofs, Fu lis, and Mandingos. 
 The king of the Jakfs has under him fe- 
 veral minifters, who affift in the exercife 
 of juftice. The chief juilice goes in cir- 
 cuit through all his dominions, to hear 
 complaints and determine controverfies. 
 And the viceroy goes with him, to infpccl: 
 the behaviour of the Alkadi^ or Governor 
 
 aft 
 
of each village. The Fulis are a numerous 
 people; the foil of their country reprefent- 
 ed as rich, affording large harv<;ils,and the 
 people laborious and good farmers : Of 
 fome of thefe Full blacks who dwelt Oft 
 the river Gambia, William Moor the Englifb 
 factor gives a very favourable account. — 
 He fays, they are governed by their chief 
 men, who rule with much moderation, 
 Few of them will drink any thingitronger 
 than water, being Uriel Mahometans. The 
 government is eafy, becaule the people are 
 of a good and quiet dilpoution ; and fo 
 well inftructed in what is right, that a 
 man who wrongs another is the abomina-* 
 tion of all. — —They defire no more land 
 than they ufe, which they cultivate with 
 great care and induflry i If any of them 
 are known to be made Haves by the white 
 men they all join to redeem them. They 
 Bot only fupport all that are old, or blind 3 , 
 or lame among themfelves ; but have 
 frequently fupplied the neceilities of the 
 Mandingos, when they were diftreii by 
 famine. 
 
 7. The Mandingos, fays Monf. Brue, are 
 rigid Mahometans, drinking neither wine 
 nor brandy. They are induflrious and; 
 laborious, keeping their ground well cul- 
 tivated, and breeding a good flock of cat- 
 tle. Every town has a governor, and he 
 
 appoints- 
 
[ 19 J 
 
 appoints the labour of the people. The 
 men work the ground defigned for corn;, 
 the women and girls, the rice-ground.--. 
 He afterwards divides the corn and rice 
 among them: And decides all quarrels if 
 any arife. All the Mahometan negroes 
 conftantly go to public prayers thrice a 
 day : there being a prieft in every village, 
 who regularly calls them together : Some. 
 authors fay, it is furprizingto fee the atten- 
 tion and reverence which they obferve. 
 during their worfhip. — Thefe three nati- 
 ons practife feveral trades ; they have 
 fmiths, fadlers, potters and weavers. And 
 they are very ingenious at their feveraL 
 
 occupations. Their fmiths not only 
 
 make all the initruments of iron, which 
 they have occafion to ufe, but likewife 
 work many things neatly in gold and 
 filver. It is chiefly the women and chil- 
 dren who weave fine cotton cloth, which 
 they dye blue and black. 
 
 8. It was of thefe parts of Guinea, that 
 Monf. Adanfon, correfpondent of the royal 
 academy of fciences at Paris from 1 749 ta 
 1753, g* ves the following account, both as 
 to the country and people. " Which way 
 foever I turned my eyes, I beheld a per- 
 fect image of pure nature : An agreeable 
 fdiitude, bounded on every fide by a 
 charming landfcape y the rural iituation 
 
 of 
 
1^1 
 
 of cottages, in the midft of trees ; the eafe 
 anal quietnefs of the negroes, reclined un- 
 der the fhade of the fpreading foliage, 
 with the limplicity of their drefs and man- 
 ners : The whole revived in my mind the 
 idea of our firft parents, andlfeemed to 
 contemplate the world in its primitive 
 flate. They are generally* fpeaking, very 
 good-natured, fociable and obliging. I 
 was not a little pleafed with my very firft 
 reception, and it fully convinced me, that 
 there ought to be a confiderable abate- 
 ment made, in the accounts we have of 
 the favage character of the Africans." He 
 adds, " It is amazing that an illiterate 
 people mould reafon fb pertinently con- 
 cerning the heavenly bodies. There is 
 no doubt, but that with proper inftru- 
 ■mentSjthey would become excellent aftro- 
 xiomers." 
 
 9. The inhabitants of the Grain and 
 'Ivory-Coafl are reprefented by thofe that 
 deal with them, as fenfible, courteous, 
 and the faireft traders on the coafts of 
 Guinea. They rarely drink to excefs : If 
 any do, they are feverely punifhed by the 
 -king's order. They are feldom troubled 
 with war : If a difference happen between 
 two nations, they commony end the dii- 
 -pute amicably. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Gold and Slave- 
 Coaft likewife 3 when they are not artfully 
 
 in- 
 
[12 g 
 
 incenfed againft eich other, live in great 
 union and friend (hip, being generally 
 well-tempered, civil, tractable, and ready 
 to* help any that need it. In particular, 
 the natives of the kingdom of Whidah are 
 civil, kind, and obliging to flrangers. — 
 And they are the moil gentleman-like of 
 all the negroes, abounding in good man- 
 ners towards each other. The inferiors 
 pay great refpecl to their fuperiors : — • 
 So wives to their hufbands, children to 
 their parents. And they are remarkably 
 induftrious: All are conftantly employ'd; 
 the men in agriculture, the women in 
 fpinning and weaving cotton. 
 
 i o. The Gold and -Slave Coafls are divid- 
 ed into feveial diftri&s, fome governed by 
 kings, others by the principal men, who 
 take care each of their own town or vil- 
 lage, and prevent or appeafe tumults.— 
 They punim murder and adultery fe- 
 verely ; very frequently with death. — 
 Theft and robbery are puniihed by a fine 
 proportionable to the goods that were 
 taken.- — -All the natives of this coaft, 
 though heathens, believe there is oneGorj, 
 the auchor of them and all things. They 
 appear likewife to have a confufed appre- 
 ■ henfion of a future flate. And accord- 
 ingly every town and village has a place 
 of public worfhip.— =-It is remarkable that 
 
 they 
 
C p ] 
 
 they have no beggars among them : Such 
 is the care of the chie£ men, in every city 
 and. village, to provide fome eafy labour, 
 even for the old and weak. Some are 
 employ'd in blowing the fmiths bellows; 
 others in prefiing palm-oil ; others in 
 grinding of colours. If they are too weak 
 even for this, they fell provifions in the 
 market. 
 
 ii. The accounts we have of the na- 
 tives of the kingdom of Benin is, that they 
 are a reafonable and good-natured people, 
 fincere and inoffenfive, and do no injuftice 
 either to one another or to Grangers. — 
 They are civil and courteous: If you 
 make them a prefent, they endeavour tc* 
 repay it dou'ole. And if they are truited, 
 till the (hip returns next year, they are 
 
 fure honefiiy to pay the whole debt. 
 
 Theft is puniihed among them, altho* 
 not with the fame feverity as murder. If 
 a man and woman of any quality, are 
 taken in adultery, they are certain to be 
 put to death, and their bodies thrown on 
 a dunghill, and left a prey to wild beads. 
 They are punctually juft and honeft in 
 their dealings; and are alfo very charitable: 
 The king and the great lords taking care 
 to employ all that are capable of any work. 
 And thofe that are utterly helplefs they 
 keep for God's fake ; fo that here alfo are 
 G no 
 
1 14] 
 
 iro beggars. The inhabitants of Congo and 
 Angola are generally a quiet people. They 
 diicover a good understanding, and be- 
 have in a friendly manner to Grangers, 
 being of a mild temper and an affable car- 
 riage. — — Upon the whole therefore the 
 negroes who inhabit the coaft of Africa, 
 from the river Senegal to the fouthern 
 bounds of Angola, are fo far from being 
 the ftupid, fenfelefs, brutifh, lazy barba- 
 rians, the fierce, cruel, perfidious ravages 
 they have been defcribed, that on the 
 contrary, they are reprefented by them 
 who had no motive to flatter them, as re- 
 markably fenfible, confidering the few 
 advantages they have for improving their 
 
 underftanding : As very induftrious, 
 
 perhaps more fo than any other natives 
 
 of fo warm a climate. As fair, juft 
 
 and honeft in their dealings, unlefs 
 where whitemen have taught them to 
 be other wife : — And as far more mild, 
 friendly and kind to flrangers, than any 
 of our forefathers were. Our forefathers! 
 Where mail we find at this day, among 
 the fair-faced natives of Europe, a nation 
 generally pracliiing the juftice, mercy, 
 and truth, which are related of thefe 
 poor black Africans? Snppofe the preced- 
 ing accounts are true, (which I fee no rea- 
 ihlx or pretence to doubt of) and we may 
 
 leave 
 
[ 15 3 
 
 leave England and France, to feek genuine 
 honefty in Benin, Congo, or Angola. 
 
 HI. We have now feen, what kind of 
 country it is, from which the negroes are 
 brought : And what fort of men (even 
 whitemen being the judges) they were in 
 their own country. Enquire we, Thirdly ,- 
 In what manner are they generally pro- 
 cured, carried to, and treated in America. 
 
 i. Fir ft. In what manner are they pro- 
 cured ? Part of them by fraud. Captains 
 of (hips from time to time, have invited 
 negroes to come on board, and then car- 
 ried them away. But far more have been 
 procured by force.. The ehriflians land- 
 ing upon their coafts, feized as many as 
 they found, men, women and children , 
 and tranfported them to America: It was 
 about 155 1, that the Englifi began trading 
 to Guinea : At fir ft, for gold and elephants 
 teeth, butfoon after, for men. In 1566, 
 Sir John Hawkins failed with twofhips to 
 Cape Verd, where he feat eighty men on 
 fhore to catch negroes. But the natives 
 flying, they fell farther down, and there 
 let the men on fhore, " to burn their 
 towns and take the inhabitants." But 
 they met with fuch refiftance, that they 
 had feven men killed, and took but ten 
 negroes. So they went ftill farther down «, 
 G 2: till 
 
 ; 
 
C i*3 
 
 till having taken enough, they proceeded 3 
 to the Weft-Indies ^ and ibid them*. 
 
 i. It 
 
 *■ Here it may be well to give a particular ac- 
 count of that tranfaclion in the very words in which 
 it is transmitted to us by early hiftorians, as it is 
 a clear proof,, that it was folely from a defire 
 of gain that the Engitfn flrlt undertook to fei/.e 
 and bring the unhappy /Ifricans from their native 
 country ; and is a clear and pofitive refutation of 
 thofe falfe arguments frequently advanced in vin- 
 dication of the jlave trade, viz. That the fir ft pur- 
 chafe of negro flaves by the EnglijJi, was from mo- 
 tives of compadion, with views of faving the lives 
 of fome of thofe blacks who being taken prifoners 
 in battle, would, if not thus purcha&d, have been 
 jfacrificed to the revenge of their conquerors: but 
 this plea is manifeftly falfe ; from all the accounts 
 we have of the difpofition of the negroes in thofe 
 early times, they appear to have been an innocent 
 people, gentle and eafy in their nature ; rather 
 averfe to war, as is the general difpofition of the 
 natives of thefe warm climates; till being corrupt- 
 ed by an intercourfe with the Europeans, and ftimu- 
 lated by the excedive ufe of fpirituous liquors, they 
 were induced to join them in their cruel deprada- 
 tions againlt their unhappy countrymen. The ac- 
 count given of that transaction by Tbowas Lediard 
 in his naval hiftory, at page 141, is in the follow- 
 ing words: " That Sir John Hawkins in his feveral 
 " voyages to theCanary iflands, understanding that 
 -" negroes were a very good commodity in Uijpani- 
 , M ola, (then fettling by the Spaniards) and that they 
 ■"- were eafy-, to-be had, in, great numbers on the 
 
i n ] 
 
 sr. It was fome time before the Europeans 
 found a more compendious way or pro- 
 curing African Haves, by prevailing upon 
 them to make war upon each other, and 
 to fell their prifoners.- — —Till then they 
 ieldom had any wars: But were in ge- 
 neral quiet and peaceable. But the white 
 men firft taught them drunkennefs and 
 avarice, and then hired them to fell one 
 another. Nay, by this means, even their 
 kings are induced to fell their own fub- 
 
 jecrs. 
 
 *« coaft of Guinea. Having opened his mind to 
 ** his friends, he foon found adventurers for his 
 " undertaking ; amongft whom were Sir Lionel 
 " Docket, $\v Thomas Lodge, and others : and having 
 " fitted out three fmall veffels, manned only with. 
 M ioo meni he departed from the coaft of England 
 " in Ocloberi 562, and failed firft toTeneriffe , where 
 ** he took in feveral refreshments ; from thence to- 
 * f the coaft ©f Guinea, where he got in poffeffion,^ 
 •* partly by the fv/ord, and by other means, 11 p- 
 eS wards of three hundred of the natives, befides 
 •? feveral commodities which thar country afford- 
 «' ed : with this booty lie fet fail for the ifland of 
 {t Hifpaniola in the Weft -In dies, where he difpofed 
 «* of his negroes* Two years after, he went another 
 «' voyage on the coaft of Guinea ; there he ftaid fe- 
 «* veral days at the ifland Sabula, where every day 
 *' they took fome of the inhabitants ; burning and- 
 '« ravaging their towns: w T hen having compleated 
 «« their number of negroes, they fet fail for the- 
 £ Weft-lndies," ' 
 
jects. So Mr. Moore (facTor of the African 
 company in 1730) informs us, " When 
 the king of ifor/W/i wants goods or brandy, 
 he fends to the Englijb governor at James' 
 
 fort, who immediately fends a floop. 
 
 Againft the time it arrives, he plunders" 
 fome of his neighbours towns, felling the 
 people for the goods he wants. At other 
 times he falls upon one of his own towns, 
 and makes bold to fell his own fubjects." 
 So Monf. Brue fays, " I wrote to- the 
 king, (not the fame) u if he had a furli* 
 cient number of Haves I would treat with 
 Bim. He feized three hundred of his 
 own people, and fent word, he was ready 
 to deliver them for the goods." He adds, 
 " Some of the natives are always ready" 
 (when well paid) " to furprize and carry 
 off their own countrymen. They come 
 at night without noife, and if they find 
 any lone cottage, furround it and carry 
 
 off" all the people.' *- B arbct,, (another 
 
 French .factor) fays,. " Many of the ilaves 
 fold by the negroes are prifoners of war, 
 or taken in the ineurfions they make into 
 
 their enemy's territories. Others are 
 
 ilolen. Abundance of little. blacks of both 
 fexes,are ilolen away by their neighbours, 
 when found abroad on the road, or in the 
 woods, or elfe in the corn-fields, at the 
 time of year when their parents keep 
 
 thenfe 
 
i <9 1 
 
 Chem there all day to fcare away the de- 
 vouring birds." That their own parents 
 fell 'them, is utterly falfe: 
 
 3. To fet the manner wherein Negroes 
 are procured in a yet ftronger light, it 
 will fuffice to give an- extract of two voy- 
 ages to Guinea on this account. The 
 firft is taken verbatim from the original 
 manufcript of the Surgeon's Journal. 
 
 " Sestro, Dec. 29, 1724. No trade 
 to day, though many traders came on 
 board. They informed us, that the pech- 
 pie are gone fo war within land, and will 
 bring prifoners enough in two or three 
 days ; in hopes of which we Hay. 
 
 " The 30th. No trade yet: but our 
 traders came on board to ; day, and inform- 
 ed us the people had burnt four towns: 
 So that to-morrow we expect' Haves off. 
 
 " The 31ft. Fair weather: but no 
 trading yet. We fee each night towns 
 burning. But we hear, many of the 
 Beftro men are killed by the inland Ne- 
 groes : So that we fear this war will be 
 unfuccefsful. 
 
 " The 2d. of January. Laft night we 
 faw a prodigious fire break out about 
 eleverr o'clock, and this morning fee the 
 town of Seflro burnt down to the ground/' 
 (It contained fome hundred houfes.) u So 
 that we find their enemies are too hard 
 
 fcsr 
 
C 2° 1 
 
 for them at prefent, and confequentTy- 
 our trade ipoiied here. Therefore about 
 feven o'clock we weighed anchor, to 
 proceed lower down." 
 
 4. The fecond extract taken from the 
 journal of a Surgeon, who went from New-y 
 Tork on the fame trade, is as follows. - 
 " The Commander of the veffel fent to- 
 acquaint the king, that he wanted a car- 
 go of flaves. The king, promifed to fur- 
 nifh him, and in order to it, fet out, 
 defigning to furprize fome town, and 
 make all the people prifoners. Some 
 time after, the king fent him word, he 
 had not yet met with the deiired fuccefs: 
 Having attempted to break up two towns, 
 but having been twice repulfed : But 
 that he ftill hoped to procure the number 
 of Haves* In this defign he periifted, till 
 he met his enemies in the field. A battle 
 was fought, which laded three days. 
 And the engagement was fo bloody, that 
 four thoufand five hundred men were 
 flain upon thefpot." Such is the man- 
 ner wherein the Negroes are procured ! 
 Thus the chriftians preach the gofpel to 
 the heathens ! 
 
 5. Thus they are procured. But in 
 what numbers and in what manner are 
 they carried to America ? Mr. Jnder- 
 
 fcnin his Hiftory of trade and commerce, 
 
 obferves ?; 
 
[ 21 | 
 
 ©bferves, " England fupplies her Ameri- 
 can colonics with Negro-flaves, amount- 
 ing in number to about an hundred thou- 
 land every year.'* That is, fo many are 
 taken on board our mips; but at lead 
 ten thoufand of them die in the voyages 
 About a fourth part more die at the dif- 
 ferent Ifiands, in what is call the Seafon- 
 ing. So that at an average, in the paf~ 
 fage andfeafoning together, thirty thou- 
 sand die : That is, properly are mur- 
 dered. O earth, Q Sea, cover not thou 
 their blood !. 
 
 6. When they are brought down to 
 the more in order to be fold, our furge- 
 ons thoroughly examine them, and that 
 quite naked, women and men, without 
 any difiinftion : Thofe that are approved 
 are fet on one fide.. In the mean time a 
 burning iron r with the arms or name of 
 the Company, lies in the fire, with which 
 they are marked on the breaft. Before 
 they are put into the fhips, their mailers 
 ftrip them of all they have on their backs: 
 So that they come on bord flark naked, 
 women as well as men. It is common 
 for feveral hundreds of them to be put 
 on board one veifel ; where they are flow- 
 ed together in as little room, as it is pof- 
 fible for them to be crowded. It is eafy 
 to fuppofe what a condition they muft 
 
 foonj 
 
t« 1 
 
 foon be in, between heat, third, and 
 flench of various kinds. So that it is no 
 wonder, fo many mould die in the paf- 
 fage j but rather, that any furvive it. * 
 
 7. When 
 
 * Thomas Philips in his account of a voyage he- 
 made to Guinea, and from thence to Barbadoes % 
 with a cargo of flaves relates, «• That they took 
 feven hundred flaves on board. When they were 
 brought in the veflel, the men were all put in irons, 
 two and two fhackled together, to prevent their 
 mutinying or fwimming afnore. The negroes, he 
 fays, are fo loath to leave their own country, that 
 they have often leaped out of the canoe, boat and 
 fhip, into the feas, and kept under water till they 
 were drowned, to avoid being taken up, and faved 
 
 by the boats which purfue them." ^ They 
 
 had about twelve negroes who willingly drowned 
 themfelves; others ftarved themfelves to death — 
 Philips was advifed to cut off the legs and arms of 
 fome to terrify the reft; (as other captains had 
 done) but this he refufed to do : From the tims 
 of his taking the negroes on board, to his arrival 
 at Baibadoes, no lefs than three hundred and twenty 
 died of various difeafes : Which the author fays, 
 " was to their great regret, after enduring much 
 mifery and ftench, fo long, among a parcel of 
 creatures nattier than fwine : No gold-finder, fays 
 Philips, can fuffer fuch noifome drudgery as they 
 do who carry negroes, having no refpite from 
 their afftidHons fo long as any of their flaves are 
 alive. " How unreafonable was it in Philips thus 
 to reflect on negroes ; could fuch a number be 
 
 crowed. 
 
[ 23 1 
 
 7. When the veffels arrive at their 
 deftined port, the Negroes are again 
 expafed naked, to the eyes of all that 
 flock together, and the examination of 
 their purehafers : Then they are fepa- 
 rated to the plantations of their feveral 
 matters, to fee each other no more. Here 
 you may fee mothers hanging over their 
 daughters, bedewing their naked breafts 
 with tears, and daughters clinging to 
 their parents, till the whipper foon oblig- 
 es them to part. And what can be more 
 wretched than the condition they then 
 enter upon ? Banifhed from their coun- 
 try, from their rriends and relations for 
 ever, from every comfort of life, they 
 are reduced to a Hate icarce any way 
 preferable to that of beafts of burthen. 
 In general a few roots, not of the niceft 
 kind, ufually yams or potatoes, are their 
 
 food 
 
 crowded together in fo warm a climate, even if 
 they had all been healthy, without being extremely 
 offenfive : How much more when fo many lay 
 fick, dead and dying. He ipeaks of the Eng r ijh 
 people's great fufferings by naftinefs, (tench, &c. 
 but he forgets the fufferings of the poor bla cks, 
 which muft have been incomparably greater than 
 their's ; not to mention the painful forrow, and 
 anxiety of mind thefe diftreffed creatures muft have 
 laboured under. 
 
food, and two rags, that neither fcrcen 
 them from the heat of the day, nor the 
 cold of the night their covering. Their 
 fleep is verf fliort, their labour continu- 
 al, and frequently above their ftrength; 
 fo that death fets many of them at liberty, 
 before they have lived out half their days. 
 The time they work in the Weft Indies., 
 is from day break to noon, and from 
 two o'clock till dark : During which 
 time they are attended by overfeers, 
 who, if they think them dilatory, or 
 think any thing not fo well done as it 
 mould be, vihip them moft unmercifully, 
 fo that you may fee their bodies long 
 after whealed and fcarred ufually from 
 the moulders to the waift. And before 
 they are fullered to go to their quarters, 
 they have commonly fomething to do, 
 as collecting herbage for the horfes, or 
 gathering fewel for the boilers. So that 
 it is often pall twelve, before they can 
 get home. Hence if their food was not 
 prepared, they are fometimes called to 
 labour again, before they can fatisfy their 
 hunger. And no excufe w r ill avail. If 
 they are not in the Held immediately, they 
 ■mud: expecl to feel the lafh. Did the 
 Creator intend, that the noblefl creatures 
 in the vifible world, fhould live fuch a 
 •life as this! 
 
 "Are 
 
1 25 I 
 
 " Are thefe thy glorious works, ^Pa- 
 rent Gf4£f*&&?^ 
 
 8*. As to the punimments infli&ed on 
 them, fays Sir Hans Shan, ** they fre* 
 quently geld them, or chop off half a 
 foot: After they are whipped till they 
 are raw all over, fome put pepper and 
 fait upon them : Some drop melted wax 
 upon their fkin. -Others cut off their 
 ears, and conftxain them to broil and eat 
 them. " For Rebellion," (that is, affert- 
 ing their native Liberty, which they 
 have as much right to as to the air they 
 breathe) " they fallen them down to the 
 ground with crooked flicks on every 
 limb, and then applying dre by degrees, 
 to the feet and hands, they burn them 
 gradually upward to the head." * 
 
 9 But 
 
 * Sir Hant Sloan after defer Lb in g thefevere tor- 
 tures pracrifed on the negroes, funis up the pains 
 they are made to fulfer under the terms of exqid- 
 Jite and extravagant- 
 
 Now muft not thereafonable and humane nature 
 of thofe who order thefe dreadful tortures, as well 
 .as thofe who execute thorn, be changed into ue- 
 velifh, who can thus put their fellow creatures 
 to fuch extravagant, fucli exqmfls tonnent? And 
 for what ? Often, even for that; which their tor- 
 mentors themfelves would have done if in their 
 jfituation. If thro' the exertion of barbarous and 
 unjiut laws, the natural attendant on il.r>/er.r, 
 D thefe 
 
f pfi 1 
 
 -9 But will not the laws made in <he 
 Plantations, prevent or redrefs all cruelty 
 and Oppreffion ? We will take but a 
 
 few 
 
 •i-hek our haplefs felJow men are doomed to die, 
 ret in their deaths, let it at leaft be remembered 
 .that they are men. We hear with horror and de- 
 testation of fome fuch execution in the inquifitions 
 and under fome tyrannic governments ; but thefe 
 inhumanities are certainly contrary to the genius 
 and difpofition of the Britijh nation, and quite 
 abhorent of its laws, which do not allow of tor- 
 tures either in punifhment, or to extort confef- 
 iions. Sir / Dalrymple in his memoirs fays that the 
 parliament in the declaration of right afferted, that 
 p tying and ref petting humane nature t no cruel and un- 
 ufual pun'JJment Jhould be inficled. 
 
 How Britons can fo readily admit of a change 
 in their difpofition and fentiments, as to practice 
 in America what they abhor and detefted in Britain^ 
 can be accounted for on no other principle, but 
 as being the natural effect of Have-keeping, which 
 as the celebrated Montefquieu obferves, " infenfibl.y 
 accuftoms thofe who are in the practice of it, to 
 want all moral virtues, to become haughty, hafty 
 hard hearted, paffionate, voluptuous and cruel. 
 The evil attendant on the condition of the poor 
 {laves will end with their lives, and the merciful fa- 
 ther of the family of mankind will doubtlefs look on 
 iheir deep afliicTion, and where their hearts are 
 thereby humbled, requite them good in ano- 
 ther ilate of exigence for their fufFerings in this : 
 but with refpeel to their lordly opp-effbrs, this 
 horrible abufe of their fellow men, will doubtie's 
 extend its baneful influence even into the regions 
 .of eternity. It is furprifmg that the thoughtful 
 people, where flavery prevails fliould fo little ad- 
 vert 
 
[ n T 
 
 few of t'hofe Laws for a fpecimeir, and 
 then let any man judge. 
 
 In order to rivet the chain of flavery, 
 the law of Virginia ordains, " That no 
 
 Have 
 
 vert to its dreadful confequent effects to themfelves- 
 
 :md families, particularly on the neeeility they are 
 
 in of fendincj. away their offspring from under 
 
 p .. J ° 
 
 their own patern?;l care, in very- early lire, left their 
 
 tender minds mould be corrupted, and every noble 
 aud generous fentiments eradicated by the op- 
 predion and cruelty they are daily witnsiTes of.— • 
 That parents fhould i e thus incapacitated and de- 
 prived of the opportunity and fatisfaction of form- 
 ing the minds of their offspring to virtue and hap- 
 pinefs, but that this mod' iacred and delightful irint' 
 muff be left to the care of the hireling and the 
 ftranger, muft to every tender thinking parent, 
 appear an evil of fo ahlictive a natuie, and fo con- 
 trary to the divine order, that no human advantage 
 can compensate for. 
 
 The author of the hi (lory of Jamaica, wrote a- 
 feout the year 1740, in his account of the Sufferings 
 of the negroes, fays, The people of that ifland have 
 indeed the fevered ways of punithing ; no country 
 exceeds them in a barbarous treatment of theisj 
 fiaves, or in the cruel methods by which they are 
 put to death. After confirming what is before 
 laid he adds, " They ftarve them to death, with 
 a loaf hanging over their- mouths. I have feeiii 
 thefe unfortunate wretches gnaw the flefii off their 
 fhoulders, and expire in all the frightful agonies of 
 ©ne under the moft horrible tortures. He add^ 
 I incline, to toucii- the. haidfhip which thefe poor 
 EX X creatures 
 
r ^ 1 
 
 Have diall befet free, upon any pretence 
 whatever, except for fome meiitorious 
 krvices, to be adjudged and allowed by; 
 
 the governor and council : And that where 
 
 any 
 
 creatures fufFer in the tendered manner, from a par- 
 ticular regard which I have to many of their' 
 leaders ; but I eanuot conceal their fad circurn- 
 iiances entirely : the moil trivial error is puniihed 
 -with terrible whipping. I have Teen fome of them 
 treated in that ersel manner, for no other reafoa 
 Irat to faifaffy the brntifii pieafure of an ovcriecr, 
 who has their puuimment mouly at his difcrction. 
 I Have iecn their bodies all in a gore of blood, thc 
 iiiin torn off then* backs with the cruel whip, beaten 
 p?pper and fait rubbed in the wounds, and a large 
 fiick of fealing-wax dropped leifurely upon there. 
 It is no wonder, (adds this author) if the horrid 
 pain of fbch inhuman tortures incline them to rebel." 
 The fame author gives us extracts of fome of the 
 Jaws of Jamaica relating to thepunifliment of Haves, 
 fa&en as jbe fays, from a general collection of the 
 plantation laws, the printed flatutes, or the fecre- 
 tary's -cf&ce, viz. 
 
 ** If any Have by punifhment from his owner for 
 rnmim^ away, or other offence, fufFer in life or limb, 
 fiofie iball be liable to the law for the fame ; but 
 whomever (halt kill a Have out of wilfulnefs, wan- 
 tonnefsi or bloody r-nindednefs, fhall fufFer three 
 months imprifonment, and pay fifty pounds to the 
 owner of the Save, If the party fo offending be a 
 fervant, he cr fhe (hall have on the bare back thirty* 
 irir.e lames, and alfo (after the expiration of the 
 term with his cr.lier mailer or. miftrefs) fhall ferve- 
 
 the. 
 
any flave fhall be fet free by his owner, 
 otherwife than is herein directed, the 
 church-wardens of the parifh wherein 
 fuch negro {hall refide for the fpace or 
 
 one 
 
 the owner of the deceafed flave the full term of 
 four years. If any perfon kill a flave dealing or 
 running away, or found by night out of his owner's 
 ground, road, or common p^th-, fuch perfon fhall 
 not be fubjecl: to any damage or action for the fame. 
 
 *' Thofe that go out in parties to reduce the 
 negroes, fhall receive from the treafurer for every 
 rebellious negro that fhall be killed, bringing in his 
 head to any juftice, forty pounds; for every negro 
 taken and brought in alive, and not maimed, ten 
 pounds, to be paid by the owner, who is hereby- 
 obliged under the penalty of fifty pounds, to tranf- 
 port fuch flave fo taken ; and in cafe the owner 
 cannot be found, then the treafurer fhall pay the ten 
 pounds, receive the flave, fell and tranfport him, 
 and retain the produce to be employed in the -fait! 
 fervice. " 
 
 The following advertisement was taken from one 
 of the Nortb-Carolbiawzvjs, papers. " Rtia-away la-ft. 
 November, from the fubfcriber, a negro fellow named 
 Ztb, about 36 years of age, about 5 feet § inches 
 high, a very good cooper by trade &c. — As he is 
 outlawed, 1 will pay twenty pounds proclamation 
 money out of what the act of a/Tembly allows in 
 fuch cafes, to any perfon who ihall produce his- 
 head fevered from his body, and five pounds pro- 
 clamation money if brought home alive." 
 
 JOHN M OS IE r. 
 
 D 3 An* 
 
i & 1 
 
 ©He month are hereby authorized and' 
 required, to take up and fell the faid negro, 
 by public outcry." 
 
 Will, not thefe Law-givers take effec- 
 tual care, to prevent cruelty and opprei- 
 lion I 
 
 The 
 
 An advertif«ment of the fame kind was printed 
 SxiLondon, in the general evening-poft, Jan i, 1774, 
 laid to he taken from the Williamjburgh gazette, 
 where after defcribing the negro, the matter adds, 
 f\ The faid fellow is outlawed, and I will give ten 
 pounds reward for his head fevered from his body, 
 or forty, millings if brought alive." As ftrange as 
 i'tich publications may appear to fuch whofe hearts 
 as are not hardned by the practice of flavery, yet I 
 am informed advertifements. of this kind are fre- 
 quent in the fouthern colonies. 
 
 It is alledged by the planters in excufe for thefe 
 unnatural, thefe monitrous cruelties, that the 
 greate'f. feverity, the mod cruel punifhments, are 
 abiblutely. neceifary for the management of flaves, . 
 on account of t hole train of vices which flavery 
 necellarily introduces. A late author remarks how 
 ihocking it is to think that thofe unhappy victims 
 muii from the nature of the thing become danger- 
 ous andrefaclory, in proportion to the greatnefsand 
 generofity of their' minds. 
 
 Can there be a more dangerous maxim, than 
 that neceulty is a plea for injuitice ? For who (Hall 
 fix the degree of this neceffity ? What villain fo 
 atrocious who may not urge this excufe ? or is Milton 
 exTneiTcs it — 
 
 And, 
 
r p ] 
 
 The law of Jamaica ordains, "Every 
 Have that fhali run away, and continue 
 abfent from his mailer twelve months, 
 ihail be deemed rebellious :" And by ano- 
 ther 
 
 And 'with neceffity- 
 
 The tyrants plea, exctife his derfjijh deed. 
 
 Kow many thoufands and tens of thoufands has 
 this dev'lifhplea of neceffity brought to a cruel and 
 untimely end ? What account will in future ftates 
 of exiftence, be given to the father of the family of 
 mankind, for the lives of fo many of our fellow men 
 fo inhumanly murdered. A particular inftance of 
 the deftruclion of human beings, under the pre- 
 tence of neceflity, is related by captain Cook, in 
 his voyage round the world, in company with 
 meffieurs Banks and Solander, in the year 1768, 
 being at Rio.Janiero, one, if not the principal town 
 of Brazil; he relates, page 29, " That the inha- 
 bitants? who are very numerousj confifts of Portu- 
 guefe, Negroes and InrUans. The townfhip of Rio 
 Janiero, which he was told was but a imall part 
 of the province, is faid to contain thirty- feven 
 thoufand white people, and fix hundred and twen- 
 ty-nine thoufand b tacks, many of whom are free, 
 in the proportion of feventeen to one." 
 
 Page 34. (he tellsus " The riches of the place 
 confifts chiefly in the mines ; that much gold 
 is brought from thefe mines, but at an expence of 
 life that muft urike every man 3 to whom cuftom 
 has not made it familiar, with horror. No left 
 than forty thoufand Negroes are annually imported 
 ©n ths king's account to dig in the mines; and (he 
 
 add*) 
 
ther law, fifty pounds are allowed, to 
 thofe who kill or bring in alive a rebelli- 
 ous Have." So their law treats thefe poor 
 men with as little ceremony and confi- 
 deration, as if they were merely brute 
 beads ! But the innocent blood which 
 is fhed in confequence of fuch a deteftable 
 law, muft call for vengeance on the mur- 
 derous abettors and actors of fuch delibe- 
 rate wickednefs. 
 
 ii. But the law of Barb 'a does exceeds 
 even this. " If any negro under puniuV 
 ment, by his mailer, or his order, for 
 running away, or any other crime or 
 mifdemeanor, mall fufFer in life or mem- 
 ber ■, noperfon whatever Jb all be liable to any 
 fine therefore. But if any man oi wan- 
 tonness, or only of bloody-minded- 
 
 NESS Or CRUEL INTENTION, Wilfully kill 
 
 a negro of his own" (Nov/ obferve the 
 fevere puniihment!) " He mall pay into 
 the public treafury fifteen pounds fler- 
 ling! And not be liable to any other 
 puniihment or forfeiture for the fame !" 
 
 Nearly 
 
 adds) we are credibly informed, that the laft year 
 but one before we arrived here, this number fell fo 
 fhort, probably from fome epidemic difeafe, that 
 twenty thouiand more were draughted from the: 
 town, of Rio Jamero" 
 
C 33 1 
 
 Nearly allied to this is that law of Vir- 
 ginia: " After proclamation is iffued a~ 
 gairtft flaves that run away, it is lawful 
 for any perfon whatfoever to kill and 
 destroy fuch flaves, by such ways 
 
 AND MEANS-- AS HE SHALL THINK FIT. 
 
 We have fees already fome of the ways 
 and means which have been thought ft on 
 fuch occaflons. And many more might 
 be mentioned. One gentleman, when I 
 was abroad thought ft to roaft his (lave 
 alive! But if the moil natural act of 
 fc4 running away" from intolerable ty- 
 ranny, deferves fuch relent nefs feverity, 
 what punifhment have thefe law-makers 
 to expect hereafter, on account of their 
 own enormous offences ? 
 
 IV. i. This is the plain, un-aggravat- 
 ed matter of fact. Such is the manner 
 wherein our African flaves are procured: 
 Such the manner wherein they are remov- 
 ed from their native land, and wherein 
 they are treaed in our Plantations. I would 
 now enquire, whether thefe things can 
 be defended, on the principles of even hea- 
 then honefty? Whether they can be recon- 
 ciled (letting the Bible out of the queftion) 
 with any degree of either juftice or mercy. 
 
 2. The grand plea is, " They are au- 
 thorized by law." But can law, human 
 law., change the nature of things ? Can 
 
 it 
 
[ 34 J 
 
 it turn darknefs into IrgJit, or evil Li to' 
 good? By no- means. Notwithstanding 
 ten thonfand laws, riocht is right, and 
 wrong is wrong {HI!. There mull {till' 
 remain an eflential difference between 
 juilice and injuftice, cruelty and mercy. 
 So that ftill I afk, Who can reconcile 
 this treatment of the negroes, firft and' 
 lalt, with either mercy or jaiftice. 
 
 Where is the juftice of inflicting^ the 
 levereit evils, on thofe that have done us' 
 no wrong? Of depriving thofe that ne-- 
 ver injured us in word or deed, of every 
 comfort of life? Of tearing them from, 
 their native country, and depriving them 
 of liberty itfelf ? To which an Angola n y 
 has the fame natural right as an Englifb- 
 man, and on which he fets as high a 
 value? Yea where is thejuftice of taking 
 away the lives of innocent, inoflenfive 
 men ? Murdering thoufands of them in 
 their own land, by the hands of their 
 own countrymen : Many thoufands, year 
 after year, on fhipboard, and then call- 
 ing them like dung into the fea ! And 
 tens of thoufands in that cruel flavery, to 
 which they are fo unjuftly reduced ? 
 
 3. But waving, for the prefent, all 
 other coniiderations, I ftrike at the root 
 of this complicated villainy. I abfolute^- 
 \ deny all Have- holding to be confident 
 
 with, 
 
I 35 1 
 
 *with any degreee of even natural jufFrce. 
 
 I cannot place this in a clearer light, 
 than that great ornament of his profef- 
 fion, judge Blackflone has already done. 
 Part of his words areas follows: 
 
 " The three origins of the right of 
 ilavery alBgned by Jufilm 'an, are all built 
 upon falfe foundations, i. Slavery is 
 faid to arife from captivity in war. Tire 
 conqueror having a right to the life of 
 his captive, if he fpares that, has then 
 a right to deal with him as he pleafes- 
 JBut this is untrue, if taken generally, 
 That by the law of nations, a man has a 
 right to kill his enemy. He has only a 
 right to kill him in particular cafes in cafes 
 of abfolute necellity for felf-defence. And 
 it is plain, this abfolute necellity did not 
 fubfift, fince he did not kill him, but 
 made him prifoner. War itfelf is jufti- 
 iiable only on principles of felf-prelerva- 
 tion. Therefore it gives us no right o- 
 ver prifoners, but to hinder their hurt- 
 ing us by confining them. Much lefs 
 can it give a right to torture, or kill, or 
 even to enilave an enemy when the war 
 is over. Since therefore the right of mak- 
 ing our prifoners flaves, depends on a 
 fuppofed right of flaughter, that found- 
 dation failing, the confequence which 
 •fe drawn from it muft fail iikewife,? 
 
 ■ « it 
 
I 1 
 
 €C It is faid, Secondly, flavery may be- 
 gin, by one man's felling himfelf to ano- 
 ther. And it is true, a man may fell him- 
 felf to work for another : But he cannot 
 fell himfelf to be a Have, as above defined. 
 Every fale implies an equivalent given to 
 the feller, in lieu of what he transfers to 
 the buyer. But what equivalent can be 
 given for life or liberty ? His property 
 likewife, with the very price which he 
 feems to receive, devolves ipfo fado to his 
 matter, the inftant he becomes his Have : 
 In this cafe therefore the buyer gives 
 nothing, and the feller receives nothing. 
 Of what validity then can a fale be, which 
 deftroys the very principles upon which 
 all fales are founded ?" 
 
 " We are told, Thirdly, that men may 
 be born /laves, by being the children of 
 Haves. But this being built on the two 
 former rights, muft fall together vvith 
 them. If neither captivity, nor contract 
 can by the plain law of nature and reafon, 
 reduce the parent to a (late of flavery, 
 much lefs can they reduce the offspring." 
 It clearly follows, that all flavery is as ir- 
 reconcilable tojuftice as to mercy. 
 
 4. That Have-holding is utterly incon- 
 fiftent with mercy, is almoit too plain to 
 iiieed a proof. Indeed it is faid, ct That 
 thele negroes being priioners of war, our 
 
 captains 
 
[37] 
 
 captains and factors buy them merely t© 
 fava them from being put to deach. And 
 is not this mercy I" I anfvver, r. Did Sir 
 John Hawkins ', and many others, feize 
 upon men, women and children, who 
 were at peace in their own fields or houfes, 
 merely to fave them from death ? 2. Was 
 it to fave them from death, that they 
 knocked out the brains of thofe they could 
 not bring away ? 3. Who occasioned and 
 fomented thofe wars, wherein thefe poor 
 creatures were taken priioners ? Who 
 excited them by money ? by drink, by 
 every poflible means, to fall upon one 
 another? Was it not themfelves ? They 
 know in their own confcience it was, if 
 they have any confcience left. But 4. 
 To bring the matter to a fhort nTue. Can 
 they fay before God, That they ever took 
 a Angle voyage, or bought a Single negro 
 from this motive ? They cannot. They 
 well know, to get money, not to fave lives, 
 was the whole and fole fpring of their 
 motions. 
 
 5. But if this manner of procuring and 
 treating negroes is not confident either 
 with mercy or juitice, yet there is a plea 
 for it which every man of bufmefs will 
 acknowledge to be quite fuificient. Fifty 
 years ago, one meeting an eminent ftatef- 
 man in the lobby of the houfe of com- 
 E mon? ? 
 
c mt 
 
 mons, faid, " You have been long talking 
 about juil ice and equity. Pray which is 
 this bill ? Equity or jultice ?" Hl* anfvver- 
 ed, very fhort,and plain, " D — n jultice: 
 It is neceflity." Here alfo the flave-holder 
 iixes his foot: Here he reils the flrength 
 of his caufe. " It it is not quite right, yet 
 It muft be fo : There is an abfolute necejfity 
 for it. It is neceffary we fhould procure 
 Haves : And when we have procured 
 them, it is neceffary to ufe them with fe- 
 verity, confidering their ftupidity, flub- 
 bornnefs and wicked n efs." 
 
 I anfwer, You Humble at the threfhold : 
 I deny that viliany is ever neceffary. It 
 is impoilible that it fhouid ever be necef- 
 fary, for any reafonable creature to violate 
 all the laws of juftice, mercy, and truth. 
 No circumflances can make it neceffary 
 for a man to burfc in funder all the ties of 
 humanity. It can never be neceffary for 
 a rational being to fink himfelf below a 
 brute. A man can be under no neceflity, 
 of degrading himfelf into a wolf. The 
 abfurdity of the fuppoiition is fo glaring, 
 that one would wonder any one can help 
 feeing it. 
 
 6. This in general. But to be more 
 particular, I afk, i. What is neceffary? 
 And, fecondly, To what end? It may be 
 be angered, " The whole method »aw 
 
 uled ? 
 
L 39 ] 
 
 nfed by the original purchafers of negroes, 
 is neceflary to the furnifhing our colonies 
 yearly with an hundred thoufand Haves. 5 ' 
 I grant, this is neceflary to that end. But: 
 how is that end neceflary . p How will you 
 prove it neceflary, that one hundred, that 
 one of thofe ilaves fliould be procured ? 
 « Why, it is neceflary to my gaining an 
 hundred thoufand pounds." Perhaps fo: 
 But ho v is this neceflary I It is very pof- 
 ■fibie you mii>ht be both a better and an 
 happier man, if you had not a quarter of 
 it. I deny that your gaining one thoufand 
 is neceflary, either to your prefent or 
 eternal happinefs. " But however yon 
 mud allow, thefe ilaves are neceflary for 
 the cultivation of our iflands ; inafrnuch, 
 as white men are not able to labour in 
 hot climates j." I anfwer, i. It were bet- 
 ter 
 
 f It is not prcpofed to remove the negroes frora- 
 labouringin the feveral provinces and iflands whsre 
 they are now employed ; in order to -employ white 
 men in their dead, what is propofed, is only to pre- 
 vent any farther import or negroes, except thofe 
 who may come voluntarily and in a free condition; 
 and to fall upon fuch juft regulations and proper 
 encouragement with refpeft to thofe already a- 
 mongft us, that frnm dangerous grudging ilaves, 
 they may become willing hearted labourers, who 
 having an interefl in the peace and. welfare of the 
 E 2 « country, 
 
T4o1 
 
 ter that all thofe iflands mould remain 
 uncultivated for ever, yea, it were more 
 deiirable that they were all together funk 
 in the depth of the fea, than that they 
 ihould be cultivated at fo high a price, as 
 the violation of juilice, mercy, and truth. 
 But, Secondly, the fuppofition on which 
 
 you 
 
 country, will be parties in its ftrength and fupport. 
 But whil ft deficiencies by the death of the labouring 
 ilaves can be fo eafily made up by the "continual 
 frefh imports from Guinea, and the planters find ft 
 cheaper to make new purchafes than to raife the 
 children, or fpare and cherifh the parents of thofe 
 already in their fervice, little amendment can be 
 expected in the hardship rhey are put to, and the 
 cruelties exercifed upon them. Surely the number 
 already rn our colonies and iflands, which on a 
 calculation made four or five years paft, was be- 
 tween eight and nine hundred thoufaud, befides 
 that there has' been a vaft number, faid to be 
 about an hundred thoufand fince yearly imported: 
 all thefe, with their increafe, if well ufed, would 
 certainly be fuificient to perform all necefTary la- 
 bour. 
 
 If an end was put to the import of negroes, and 
 the odious and cruel distinction ofmafter and Haves, 
 with all its attendant horrors fhould ceafe, many 
 labouring people from Europe, who are now dif- 
 coiiraged irom an apprenfion of being put on a 
 level with ilaves, would probably be willing to 
 come over and engage in the fervice. 
 
 John Miller, profeffor of- law at G/aJgoWi in his 
 Jate obfervatiom concerning dtpinclion ofranksinfociety, 
 
 obfervesj 
 
C 41 ] 
 
 vou ground your argument is falle. For 
 white men, even Englifimen^ are well able 
 to labour in hot climates : provided they 
 are temperate both in meat and drink, 
 and that they inure themielves to it by 
 degrees. I fpeak no more than I know 
 by experience. It appears from the ther- 
 mometer;, 
 
 obferves, " That the. {livery eftablifhed in our. co- 
 lonies is an objedt of great importance, and is at-"- 
 tended with difficulties which cannot be eafily re- 
 moved. It has be?n thought that the manage- 
 ment of cor plantations requires a labour in which 
 free men would not be willing to engage, and which 
 the wince people are from their conHatution in- 
 capable of performing. How far this opinion is 
 well founded according to the pre fen t manner of 
 labouring in that part of the world, feems difficult, 
 to determine, as it has never been properly examin- 
 ed by thofe who are in a condition to aicertain the 
 facts in quefiion. But there is ground to believe, 
 that the inftitutioa of flavery is toe chid cireum- 
 ftance that has prevented thofe contrivances to 
 fhorten and facilitate the more laborious employ- 
 ments of thepeopie, -which rakes place in other coun- 
 tries, where freedom has been .introduced. With 
 regard to the planting of fugar, experiments have 
 been made in foaieof tlieiilands, from which it ap- 
 pears, that, in fome fbecies of cultivation, cattle 
 might be employed with advantage, and that\he. 
 number of %ves might be greatly dimimlhed But. 
 thefe experiments have been little regarded, in op, 
 petition to the former ufage, and in oppnikiori to a 
 lucrative branch of trade which tneie innovations 
 would in a great meafure deftroy. At .any rate, the 
 E 3 intereft 
 
f4*j 
 
 mo meter, that the fummer heat in Georgia* 
 is frequently equal to that in Barbadoes 9 
 yea to that under the line. And yet I 
 and my family, (eight in number) did em- 
 ploy all our fpare time there, in felling of 
 trees and clearing of ground, as hard labour 
 as any negro need be employed in. The 
 German family likewife, forty in number, 
 
 were 
 
 intereft of our colonies feems to demand, that the. 
 negroes fhould be better treated,, and even that they; 
 ihoiild be raife&to a better condition. — The. author 
 of a late elegant, account of our American fettle? 
 tnents, has propofed, that fmall' wages fhould be 
 given them,, as an encouragement to indufiry. If 
 this mea-fure were once begun, it is probable that 
 the mailer would fo on find the utility of pufhingit 
 to a greater extent. Nothing can appear more 
 aftoni thing than the little attention that has hitherto 
 been paid to any improvement of this nature, after 
 the good'dfecte of them have been fo fully iiluftrat- 
 ed in the cafe of the villains in Europe. At the. 
 Jame time, it affords a curious fpecracle to obferve, 
 that the fame people who talk in fo high a drain, 
 of political liberty, and who confident he privilege, 
 of impofmg their own taxes, as one of the unalien- 
 able rights of mankind, fhould make no fcruple of 
 reducing a great proportion of the inhabitants into 
 circumnanccs by which they are not only deprived 
 of property, but almoit of every right whatsoever. 
 Fortune, perhaps never produced a fituation more 
 calculated to ridicule a grave and even a liberal 
 hypothecs, or to (how how little the conduct of 
 mei is at bottom directed by any philofbpnical 
 principles:" We. 
 
[43] 
 
 were employed in all manner of labour* 
 And this was fo far from impairing our 
 health, that we all continued perfectly 
 well, while the idle ones all round about 
 us, were fwept away as with a peftilence. 
 It is not true therefore that white men are 
 not able to labour, even in hot climates* 
 full as well as black. But if they were 
 not, it would be better that none fhould 
 
 labour 
 
 ' We have accounts from England of fome regula- 
 tions that have taken p!*abe in the Spani/h colonies, 
 which do the Spaniards much honour, and are cer- 
 tainly worthy our imitation ;. they are to the follow- 
 ing effect: — " As foon as a flave is landed, his 
 name, price, &c. are regiflered in a public regifier, 
 and the mailer is obliged by law, to allow him one 
 working day'm every week tohimfelf, be fides fun days s 
 fo that if the flave chufes to work for his matter 
 on that day, he receives the wages of a freeman 
 for it; and whatever he gains by his labour on 
 that day, is fo fecured to him by law, that the 
 matter cannot deprive him of it. As foon as the 
 flave is able to purchafe another working day, the 
 mailer is obliged to fell it to him at a proportion- 
 able price, viz. one fifth part or his- original coft, 
 and fo likewife the remaining four days at the fame 
 rate, as foon a s the flave is able to redeem them ; 
 after which be is abfolutely free." This is fuch en- 
 couragement to induflry, that even the molt in- 
 dolent would be tempted to exert, themfelves.. Men 
 who have thus worked out their freedom, are in- 
 ured to the labour of the- country, and are. certain!/ 
 * »e moil ufeful fubjects that a colony can acquire., 
 
[ 44 I 
 
 labour there, that the work fhould be left 
 Undone, than that myriads of innocent 
 nun fhould be murdered, and myriads 
 m~: e d agged into the baled Haver y. 
 
 7. " But the. fur milling us with iiaves- 
 Is ne£eflary>, for the trade, and wealth, 
 and glory of our nation :" Here are fe- 
 vers' es* For 1. Wealth is not ne- 
 ccfLry to the glory of any nation ; but 
 wifdonij virtue, juitice, mercy, generoiity, 
 public fpirit, love of our country. Theie 
 are neceil-iry to the real glory of a nation ; 
 biic abundance of wealth is not. Men of 
 under Handing allow, that the glory of 
 Ewhnd was full ashisrh.in Queen Eliza- 
 beth\ time as it is now: Although our 
 riches and trade were then ss much 
 finalier, as our virtue was greater J, But,. 
 
 Secondly,. 
 
 % We are told in -Hill's naval hiftory, page 239, 
 That when captain Hawkins returned from his tird 
 voyage to Africa^ was fent for by Queen Elizabeth, . 
 who expxeifed her concern to him, Uft any of the 
 Jfrican negroes (hould be carried off without their 
 free con fent, declaring it would-, be deferable , and call 
 
 down the vengeance of heaven upon the -undertakers . 
 
 Captain Hawkins promised to comply with the 
 Queen's injunction, but acted quite contrary to his 
 promife, whie-h occ afipned that author to remark, 
 *' That here beg^n the horrid practice of forcing 
 the nifricans iiuo ill very, an injuftice and barbarity 
 which io fure as there is vengeance in heaven for 
 
 the 
 
. [45] 
 
 Secondly, it is not clear, that we fhould 
 have either lels money or trade, (only lefs 
 of that deteflable trade of man-frealing) 
 if there was not a negro in all our iflands, 
 or in all 'Englijh America. It is demonftra- 
 ble, white men, inured to it by degrees 
 can work as well as them : And they would 
 do it, were negroes out of the way, and 
 proper encouragement given them. How- 
 ever, Thirdly, I come back to the fame 
 point ; better no trade, than trade pro- 
 cured by villany. It is far better to have 
 
 no 
 
 the word of crimes, will fometime be the deftru&ion 
 of all who act, or who encourage it," 
 
 Geraldas Cambrenfis, a noted author who lived 
 about fix hundred years paft, in his obfervations 
 concerning the cauies of the profperity of the Eng- 
 UJh undertakings in Ireland* when they conquered 
 that ifland, tells us, " That a fynod or council of 
 the clergy being then affembled at Armagh, and 
 that point fully debated, it was unanimoufly agreed, 
 that the fins of the people were the occafion of 
 that heavy judgment iuen fallen upon their nation ; 
 and that eipecially their buying o>{ EngiiJJ??nen from 
 merchants and pirates, and detaining them under 
 moft miferable hard bondage, had caufed the herd 
 by way of juft: retaliation, to leave them to be reduc- 
 ed by the Epglijh to the fame (late of flavery ; where- 
 upon they made a public act in that council, that 
 all the Englifo held in captivity throughout the 
 whole land mould be prcfently reftored to their 
 former liberty." 
 
[4*3 
 
 no wealth, than to gain wealth, at the de- 
 fence of virtue. Better is honeft poverty, 
 than all the riches bought by the tears, 
 and fweac, and blood of' our fellow-crea- 
 tures. 
 
 3. " However this be, it is neceffary 
 when we have flaves, to ufe them with 
 feverity." What, to whip them for every 
 petty offence, till they are all in gore 
 blood ? To take that opportunity, of rub- 
 bing pepper and (alt into their raw flefh ? 
 To drop burning fealing wax upon their 
 ikin? To caitrate them? To cut off half 
 their foot with an axe ? To hang tl cm on 
 gibbets, that they may die by inches, with 
 heat, and hunger, and thirft ? To pin 
 them down to the ground, and then burn 
 them by degrees, from the htt 9 to the 
 head ? To roaft them alive ? When did a 
 Turk or a Heathen find it neceffary to 
 :ufe a fellow-creature thus ? 
 
 I pray, to what end is this ufage necef- 
 fary ? " Why, to prevent their running 
 away : And to keep them conftantly to 
 their labour, that they may not idle away 
 their time. So miferably ftupid is this 
 race of men, yea, fo ft ubborn, and fo 
 wicked/' Allowing them to be as ftupid 
 as you fay, to whom is that flupidity 
 owing ? Without quefuon it lies altoge- 
 ther at. the door of their inhuman matters: 
 
 Who 
 
C 47 ] 
 
 Who give them, no means, no opportu- 
 nity ot improving their underftanding .: 
 And indeed leave them nu motive, either 
 from hope or fear* to attempt any inch 
 thing. They were no w%y remarkable 
 for icupidity, while they remained in their 
 own country : The in hal amts ot Africa 
 where they have equal motives and equal 
 means of improvement, are not inferior 
 to the inhabitants of Europe \ To ioine of 
 them they are greatly inferior. Impar- 
 tially furvey in their: own (country^ the 
 Datives of Benin an;i die natives of Lap*- 
 land. Compare, (felting prejudice aiide) 
 the Samoeids and rhe tfngpfaqs. And on 
 which fide does the advantage lie, in point 
 of underftandmg ? Certainly the African 
 is in no refpeel: inferior to the European.-- 
 Their itupidity therefore in our planta- 
 tions is not natural ; otherwife than it is 
 
 the natural effect of their condition.- 
 
 Consequently it is not their fault, but 
 yours : You aiuft anfvver for it, before 
 God and man. 
 
 9. ss But their itupidity is not the only 
 reafon o^ our treating them with feventy. 
 For it is hard to lay, which is the greatefti 
 This, or their ftuhboranefe md wicked* 
 nefs."* — It may b: fo : — Bur do not titeie, 
 as well as the other, tie at your doo^- ? Are 
 not ftubbornnefs, cunning, ptifenng, and 
 
 divers 
 
C'48 1 
 
 divers others vices, the natural, neccffary 
 fruits of flavery ? Is not this an obfervati- 
 on which has been made, in every age and 
 nation. — And what means have you uied 
 to remove this flubbornnefs ? Have you 
 tried what mildnefs andgentlenefs would 
 do ? I knew one that did : That had 
 prudence and patience to make the ex- 
 periment : Mr. Hugh Bryan, who then 
 lived on the borders of South-Carolina, — 
 And what was the effect? Why, that all 
 his negroes (And he had no fmall number 
 of them) loved and reverenced him as a 
 father, and chearfully obeyed him out of 
 love. Yea, they were more afraid of a 
 frown from him, than of many blows from 
 an overfeer. And what pains have you 
 taken, what method have you ufed, to 
 reclaim them from their wickednefs ? 
 Have you carefully taught them, " That 
 there is a God, a wife, powerful, merciful 
 Being, the Creator and Governor of 
 Heaven and Earth ? That he has appoint- 
 ed a day wherein he will judge the world, 
 will take an account of ail our thoughts, 
 words and aclians ? That in that day he 
 will reward every child of man according 
 toll's works: That " then the righteous 
 fhaH inherit the kingdom prepared for 
 them from the foundation of the world : 
 And the wicked (hall be caji into ever- 
 
 la fling 
 
L 49 D 
 
 lafting fire, prepared for the devil and his 
 angels." If you have not done this, if 
 you have taken no pains or thought 
 about the matter, can you wonder at their 
 wickednefs ? What wonder, if they fhould 
 cut your throat ? And if they did, whom 
 could you thank for it but yourfelf? 
 You firft a<5ted the villain in making them 
 Haves, (whetheryouftole them or bought 
 them.) You kept them fhipid and wick- 
 ed, by cutting them off from all appor- 
 tunities of improving either in know- 
 ledge or virtue: And now you affign their 
 want of wifdorn and goodnefs as the rea- 
 fon for ufing them worfe than brute 
 beads ! 
 
 V. i. It remains only, to make a little 
 application, of the preceding obfervations. 
 — But to whom fhould that application be 
 made? That may bear a quefHon. Should 
 we addrefs our (elves to the public at 
 large? What eftcc> can this have ? It may 
 inflame the world againit. the guilty, but 
 is not likely to remove that guilt. Should 
 we appeal to the Englljh nation in general? 
 This alfo is ftriking wide : And is never 
 likely to procure any redrefs, for the fore 
 evil we complain of. — As little would it 
 in all probability avail, to apply to the par- 
 liament. So many things, which jeem of 
 greater importance lie before them that 
 F they 
 
[5o] 
 
 they are not likely to attend to this. I 
 therefore add a few words to thofe who 
 are more immediately concerned, whether 
 captains, merchants or planters. 
 
 2. And, firft, to the captains employed 
 in this trade. Moil of yen know, the 
 country of Guinea : Several parts of it at 
 lead, between the river Senegal and the 
 kingdom of Angola, Perhaps now, by 
 ycur means, part of it is become a dreary 
 uncultivated wildernefs, the inhabitants 
 being all murdered or carried away, fo 
 that there are none left to till the ground. 
 But you well know, how populous, how 
 fruitful, how pleafant it was a few years 
 ago. You know the people were not 
 ilupid, not wanting in fenfe, confldering 
 the few means of improvement they en- 
 joyed. Neither did you find them favage, 
 £erce, cruel, treacherous, or unkind to 
 ftrangers. On the contrary, they were 
 In moil parts a fenfibie and ingenious 
 people. They were kind and friendly, 
 courteous and obliging, and remarkably 
 fair and juft in their dealings. Such are 
 the men whom you hire their own coun- 
 trymen, to tear away from this lovely 
 country; part by Health, part by force, 
 part made captives in thofe wars, which 
 you raife or foment on purpofe. You 
 have feen them torn away, children from 
 
 their 
 
[5i ] 
 
 their parents, parents from their children : 
 Kufbands from their wives, wives from 
 their beloved hufbands, brethren and 
 lifters from each ocher. You have dracr- 
 ged them who had never done you any 
 wrong, perhaps in chains, from their na- 
 tive more. You have forced them into 
 your fhips like an herd of f\vxne,thern who 
 had fouls immortal as your own: (Only 
 feme of them have leaped into the lea, and 
 refoiutely flayed under water, till they 
 could luffer no more from you.) You have 
 flowed them together as clofe as ever they 
 could lie, without any regard either to 
 decency or convenience. — — And when 
 many of them had been poiioned by foul 
 air, or had funk under various hardships, 
 you have feen their remains delivered to 
 the deep, till the fea mould give up his 
 dead. You have carried the furvivors into 
 the vileft fiavery, never to end but with 
 life : Such 11a very as is net found among 
 the Turks at Algiers, no, nor among the 
 heathens in America. 
 
 3. May I fpeak plainly to you ? I mud. 
 Love cenftrains me : Love to you % as well 
 as to thofe you are concerned with. 
 
 Is there* a God? You know there is. Is 
 
 He ajuft Gob? Then there mud be a flate 
 
 of retribution : A flate wherein the juft 
 
 God will reward every man according to 
 
 F 2 his 
 
r 52 3 
 
 his works. Then what reward will he 
 
 render to yen f O think berimes ! Before 
 
 you drop into eternity ! Think now, He 
 
 fiall have judgment without mercy > that 
 
 JJiewed no mercy. 
 
 Are you a man f Then you fliould have 
 an human heart. But have you indeed ? 
 What is your heart made of? Is there no 
 fuch principle as cornpaflion there ? Do 
 you never feel another's pain ? Have you 
 no fympathy ? No fenfe of human woe ? 
 No pity for the miferahle? When you faw 
 the flowing eyes, the heaving breads, or 
 the bleeding fides and tortured limbs of 
 your fellow-creatures, was you a iione, 
 or a brute? Did you look upon them with 
 the eyes of a tiger? When you fqueezed 
 the agonizing creatures down in the fhip, 
 or ivhen you threw their poor mangled 
 remains into the fea, had you no relent- 
 ing ? Did not one tear drop from your 
 eye, one iigh efcape from your breaft r Do 
 you feel no relenting mmf If you doftot 3 
 you mufi go on, till the meafure of your 
 iniquities is full. Then will the great 
 God deal with you, as you have dealt with 
 them, and require ail their blood at your 
 hands. And at that day it {hall be more 
 tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for 
 you! But if your heart does relent, though 
 in a iniall degree, know it is a call from 
 
 the 
 
[53 3 
 
 the God of love. And to day, if you 
 hear his voice, harden not your heart.— 
 To day refolve, God being your helper, 
 to efcape for your life.-— — Regard not 
 money ! All that, a man hath will he give 
 for his life? Whatever you lofe, lofe not 
 your foul : nothing can countervail that 
 lofs. Immediately quit the horrid trade : 
 At all events, be an honelt man. 
 
 4. This equally concerns every mer- 
 chant, who is engaged in the Uave-trade, 
 It hycu that induce the African vilhim to 
 fell his countrymen ; and in order there- 
 to, to fteal, rob, murder men, women and 
 children without number : By enabling 
 tht Englijh villain to pay him for fo doing 5 
 whom you over pay for his execrable 
 labour.- It is your money, that is the fpring 
 of all, that Empowers him to go on : So 
 that whatever he or the African does in 
 this matter, is SR'ycttr aet and deed. A?d 
 is your confeience quite reconciled to this? 
 Does it never reproach you at all ? Has 
 gold entirely blinded your eyes, and ilu- 
 pified your heart ? Can you fee, can you 
 feel no harm therein ? Is it doing as yGU 
 would be done to ? Make the cafe your 
 own. " Mailer, (faid a Have at Liverpool 
 to the merchant that owned him) "what 
 if fome oi my countrymen were to come 
 here, and take away my miftrefs, and maf- 
 F 3 ter 
 
L 54 ] 
 
 ter Tommy, and matter Bitty* and carry 
 them into our country, and make them 
 Haves, how would you like it ?" His an- 
 fvcer was worthy of a man: " I wilt 
 never buy a Have more while I live." O 
 let his refolution he yours ! Have no more 
 any part in this detettable hufinefs. Ia- 
 flantly leave it to thofe unfeeling wretches,. 
 " Who laugh at human nature and com- 
 panion l" Be you a man! Not a wolf, & 
 devourer of the human fpecies! Be mer- 
 ciful, that you may obtain mercy I 
 
 5. And this equally concerns ever j 
 gentleman that has an eft ate in our Ameri- 
 can plantations : Yea all Have-holders of 
 whatever rank and degree ; feeing men.- 
 buyers are exactly on a level with men.- 
 Jieakrs. Indeed you fay, " I pay honeflly 
 for my goods : and I am not concerned to 
 know how they are come by." Nay, but 
 you are : You are deeply concerned* to 
 know they are honeflly come by. Other- 
 wife you are partaker with a thief, and 
 are not a jot honefter than him. But you 
 know, they are not honeflly come by : 
 You know they are procured by means, 
 nothing near fo innocent as picking of 
 pockets, houfe-breaking, or robbery upon 
 the highway. You know they are pro- 
 cured by a deliberate feries of more com- 
 plicated viilany, of fraud, robbery and 
 
 murder) 
 
C 55 1 
 
 murder) than was ever practifed either by 
 Mahometans or Pagans: in particular by- 
 murders, of all kinds ; by the blood of 
 the innocent poured upon the ground like 
 water. Now it is your money that pays 
 the merchant, and thro' him the captain, 
 and the African butchers. Tou therefore 
 are guilty, yea, principally guilty, of all 
 theie frauds, robberies and murders. You 
 are the fpring that puts all the reft in mo- 
 tion : they would not flir a ftep without 
 you : — Therefore the blood of all thefe 
 •wretches, who die before their time, whe- 
 ther in their country, or elfewhere lies 
 upon your head. The blood of thy brother, 
 (for, whether thou wilt believe it or no, 
 fuch he is in the fight of him that made 
 him} crieth againft thee from the earthy from 
 the Ihip, and from the waters. O, what- 
 ever it colls, put a ftop to its cry before it 
 be too late. Inftantly, at any price, were 
 it the half of your goods, deliver thyfelf 
 from blood-guiltinefs I Thy hands, thy 
 bed, thy furniture, thy houfe, thy lands 
 are at prefent flamed with blood. Surely 
 it is enough ; accumulate no more guilt : 
 fpill no more the blood of the innocent! 
 Do not hire another to fhed blood : Do 
 not pay him for doing it ! Whether you 
 are a chriftian or no, ihew yourfelf a man; 
 be not more favage than a lion or a bear! 
 
 6. Perhaps 
 
[5*] 
 
 6*. Perhaps you will fay, " I do not buy 
 any negroes : I only ufe thofe left me by 
 
 my father/' So far is well* but is it 
 
 enough to fatisfy your own confcience? 
 Had your father, havfe you 9 has any man 
 living, a right to ufe another as a Have ? 
 It cannot be, e^efi letting revelation a fide. 
 It cannot be, that cither war, or contract, 
 can give any man foeh a property in ano- 
 ther as he has in ins fheep and oxen. Much 
 Icls is it pofRbte, that any child of man, 
 mould ever be born a jlavs. Liberty is 
 the right of every human creature, as foon 
 as he breathes the vital air. And no 
 human law can deprive him of that right, 
 which he derives from the law of nature. 
 
 If therefore you have any regard to 
 juflice, (to fay nothing of mercy, nor of 
 the revealed law of God) render unto all 
 their due. Give liberty to whom liberty 
 is due, that is to every child of man, to 
 every partaker of human nature. Let 
 none ferve you but by his own act and 
 
 dted* by his own voluntary choice. 
 
 Away with all whips, all chains, all com- 
 pulfion ! Be gentle towards all men. And 
 fee that you invariably do unto every 
 one, as you would he thould do unto you. 
 
 7. O thou God of love, thou who art 
 loving to every man, and whofe mercy is 
 over all thy works : Thou who art the 
 
 father 
 
[57] 
 
 father of the fpirits of all flem, and who 
 art rich in mercy unto all : Thou who hail 
 mingled of one blood, all the nations upon 
 earth : Have companion upon thefe out- 
 cads of men, who are trodden down as 
 dung upon the earth! Arife and help thefe 
 that have no helper, whofe blood is fpilt 
 upon the ground like water ! Are not 
 thefe alfo the work of thine own hands, 
 the purchafe of thy Son's blood? Stir them 
 up to cry unto thee in the land of their 
 captivity ; and let their complaint come 
 up before thee ; let it enter into thy ears! 
 Make even thofe that lead them away cap- 
 tive to pity them, and turn their capti- 
 vity as the rivers in the fouth. O burll 
 thou all their -chains in funder ; more 
 efp^cially the chains of their fins : Thou, 
 Saviour of all, make them free, that they 
 may be free indeed ! 
 
 The fervile progeny of Ham 
 
 Seize as the purchafe of thy blood; 
 
 Let all the heathen know thy name : 
 From idols to the living God 
 
 The dark Americans convert, 
 
 And ihine in every pagan heart \ 
 
 I N I 
 
[ 53] 
 
 IMILAR caufes will produce fiznilar 
 j^3 effects ; the dreadful confequence of 
 flavery is die fame arnongft every people 
 and in every nation where it prevails: 
 this truth is verified in the following 
 accounts of the inhuman treatment the 
 negroes met with both from the Hollanders 
 and the French. 
 
 The firfl is taken from the late writings 
 of Edward Bancroft L , an Englijb phyilcian, 
 who redded fonie years in that part of 
 America, called Dutch Guiana, which in- 
 cludes the feveral fettlements of Surinam, 
 Barbices, Demarara^ &c. The infenfibiiity 
 with which this author relates and vin- 
 dicates the cruelties and indignities ex- 
 ercifed, by the Dutch, on the miferable 
 Africans ,fhew that the advantage accruing 
 to him from the labour of the ilaves, as 
 well as his connection with their opprtf- 
 fors, had its ufual and natural effects, in 
 obfcuringhis underftanding, and hardning 
 his heart againfl the dictates of reafoa 
 and humanity. 
 
 The 
 
159] 
 
 The French author appears to have been 
 in a very different fituation ; he was an 
 officer belonging to the troops quartered 
 in the id and Mauri tus, now called The Ifle 
 of France? who not reaping any advantage 
 from the labour of the Haves, nor having 
 any dependence on the planters, his mind 
 remained fo unprejudiced, that the dic- 
 tates of reaibii and tender feelings of hu- 
 manity, had tree liberty to. exert thena- 
 felves. 
 
 ~Doctor Banc reft r whiltt he is giving his 
 readers a genuine relation of the prodi- 
 gious oppreiHon and cruelty exercifed on 
 the negroes, advances fuch arguments in 
 defence of the practice of flavery.as are, 
 indeed, a dimonour to reaibn, and (hock- 
 ing to humanity. He tells ^us, " That 
 " the labour of the country is-almoff. 
 " wholly performed by negroes— — -that 
 " they are kept at a fubmiffive and hum- 
 " ble diftance, by feverity of diiclpline," 
 which he is fo hardned as to fay, << not 
 ■" only contributes to the fafety of the 
 C!i white inhabitants, but even the happi- 
 " nefs of the Haves, becaufe, adds he, the 
 " impoflibility of attaining is ever found 
 " to deftroy the defire of enjoyment, and 
 s€ rigid treatment, by annihilating every 
 " hope of liberty, renders the Haves con- 
 " tent with the enjoyment of flavery."— 
 
 Ke 
 
He acknowledges, " That the negroes 
 4C are indeed fpurred to induftry by the 
 " whip of correction, which is ever at 
 44 their heels, and not fpai ingly exercifed ; 
 *< but, that there is no medium : either 
 4C the minds of the flaves muft be de- 
 44 prefTed by abject flavery, or the lives 
 4t of the matters are in imminent danger: 
 44 For this reafon (he fays) they hav^ 
 " been oppreffed by many humiliating 
 44 penalties and diftinctions. The evi- 
 44 dence of liaves relating to white perfons 
 44 are of no validity. An attempt to ftrike 
 6i a white inhabitant is puniihed with 
 44 death, Their mailers or overfeers have 
 44 not only the power of inflicting cor- 
 44 poral puniihment, but are in fome 
 44 meafure allowed to exercife a right over 
 44 their lives, fince the putting a negro 
 44 to death is attended only with a pecu- 
 44 niary punifhment. In which fituation, 
 44 he con f dies, they are fubject to many 
 44 complicated fpecies of mifery, expofed 
 * 4 to the tyranny of the imperious, and 
 44 lull of the libidinous ; and to an in- 
 44 cefTant toil which will have no period 
 46 but with their lives." Thus this au- 
 thor thro* the wnoie of his reafoning, ma- 
 niieitly (hews the depraving effect which 
 the fight and practice of thole hard and 
 cruel measures which are at tend an c on 
 
 llaveiy, 
 
C 6t 1 
 
 flaVery, has upon the heart and reafon of 
 
 men, otherwife of good judgment. 
 
 Hence he adds, " That tho* this treat- 
 " ment has the appearance of cruelty, and 
 " cannot be reconciled to the principles 
 " of juftice and equity, yet many things 
 5€ which are repugnant to humanity y may 
 " be excufed on account of their necefkty 
 " and for felf-prefervation." — Speaking 
 of the proviiion made for the negroes in 
 food and cloathing, he fays, " The ex- 
 " pence of maintaining them in this 
 * 6 climate is very trifling— they are 
 " affigned a piece of ground, from this 
 " the flave is fupplied with a fufficient 
 " flock for his fuftenanee ; on which 
 " however he is not allowed to labour 
 " but only on fundays ; receiving from 
 " his matter a weekly allowance of dried 
 " fiih to the amount of a pound and an 
 " half; which is all that his matter con- 
 " tributes towards his food. The females 
 " receive the fame treatment, and the 
 " drink of both is nothing but water : 
 " yet from this water and vegetables, 
 " with amorfeiof dried fiih, theie people 
 * derive fufficient nutriment to fuftain 
 " the hardett labour in ikfi moil enervat- 
 " ing climate. The cloathing of the ne- 
 ** groes (who work in the fields) is fcarce 
 J futtlcient to aniwer' the demands of 
 G " modefty. 
 
I62 J 
 
 " modefty. If any of them have either 
 " fhirts, breeches, or petticoats, they are 
 " the produce of their private induftry, 
 f* as their mailers furnifh only a piece of 
 <c coarfe blue or brown linen, which is 
 <c applied to the middle, in both fexes, 
 " and a blanket with which the flave 
 " covers himfelf at night ; fleeping on 
 " boards only." 
 
 The account given by the French officer 
 of the difpofition of the blacks, and the 
 treatment they received from his coun- 
 trymen on the ifLand Mauritius, is as affect- 
 ing as the former, tho* apparently wrote 
 from a different motive and in a quite 
 different fpirit. He informs us, that the 
 Haves who are employed in the cultivation 
 of that ifland, are brought chiefly from 
 the ifland Madagafcar, fituate about two 
 hundred leagues diftance. 
 
 " That thefe black men, whofe features 
 bear a nearer fimilitude to the Europeans 
 than the negroes of Guinea, are handy, 
 intelligent, and fenfible of honour: In 
 their own country they apply themfelves 
 to many little handicrafts with great in- 
 duftry ; they are paffionately fond of 
 dancing and mufic; their inftrument is a 
 kind of bow, to which a calibafli is fixed ; 
 from which they draw a foft kind of har- 
 mony, accompanied with fongs of their 
 
 own 
 
r *3i 
 
 own compofition. Love is always the 
 fubjecl:. The girls dance to the fong of 
 their lovers ; the fpe&ators beat time.— 
 Thefe poor people in their own country- 
 are extremely hofpitable : when a black 
 in Madagafcar is on his journey, he goes 
 into the fir ft houfe that fuits his exigency, 
 and tho' unknown, the family, (hare their 
 provifions with him. He is neither afked 
 whence he comes nor whither he goes:, 
 it is the cuftom of the country. With fuch 
 arts and fuch manners thefe black people 
 are brought to the ifland Mauritius to la- 
 bour for the whites. They are fet on fhore 
 xmite naked, except a rag that covers their 
 loiiis ; the men are ranged on one fide 
 and the women on the other, with their 
 little children, who cling about the mother 
 thro' fear. The planter examines the 
 whole, and purchafes fuch as (bits him. 
 Brothers, fillers, friends, lovers, are fepa- 
 rated ; they take leave of each other 
 with tears, and depart for the plantation. 
 Thefe blacks are naturally of a joyous 
 temper ; but after fome years of (lavery 
 they grow melancholy. — The treatment 
 they receive from their matters is rigor- 
 ous : at day break, three cracks of the 
 whip are the (ignal that calls them to 
 work: each (lave appears in the plantation 
 with their mattock ; here they work al- 
 G 2 moil 
 
r m i 
 
 moil naked in the heat of the fun. Far 
 the leaft neglect they are bound hand and 
 feet on a ladder ; their commander arm- 
 ed with a poftiilions whip Rands over 
 them, and gives them on their naked 
 pofteriors fifty, an hundred, or two 
 hundred lames. Every lafh brings oJGTthe 
 ikin. The poor wretch covered with 
 blood, is let loofe, and dragged back to 
 his work. Some of thefe miferable crea- 
 tures on being thus chaftifed, are not able 
 to fit down for a month after. The 
 women are punifhed in the fame manner. 
 There h a law made by the French king 
 in their favour, called the black code : 
 this law ordains that at each pimifhment 
 they ihali receive no more than thirty 
 ladies j that they {hall not be obliged to 
 work on Tundays ; that they {hall have 
 their provifion v/eekly, and their ihirts 
 yearly : but this law is not obferved. 
 Sometimes when they grow old, they are 
 turned adrift to get their living as they 
 can. One day I faw one of them who 
 was nothing but fkin and bone cutting 
 iiefh from a dead horfe to eat. It appear- 
 ed to be one fkeleton devouring another. 
 — i — They have occasionally the confola- 
 tion of religion propofed to them, and are 
 from time to time baptifed. They are 
 told that they are made brethren of the 
 
 whites. 
 
whites, and fliaU go to heaven ; but they 
 hardly know how to believe the Europeans 
 ihould conduct them to heaven, whilft 
 they are, they fay, the caufe of all their 
 
 fuiferings on earth. They frequently 
 
 refufe us, fay they, neceffary meat and 
 cloaths, and beat us cruelly without rea- 
 fon : of this I have feen many inilances. 
 A flave, almoft white, threw herfclf one 
 day at my feet ; her miftrefs made her 
 rife early and watch late : if me chanced 
 to fleep, ihe rubbed her mouth with or- 
 dure : and if (lie did not lick her lips, (he 
 commanded her to be whipt ; fhe begged 
 of me to folicit her pardon, which ilie ob- 
 tained. Sometimes the mailers of thefe 
 wretches grant fuch requefl. and within 
 two days double their punifhment, reck- 
 oning in tale of laalies what they had pro - 
 felfedly forgiven. A counfellor of whom 
 fome blacks had complained to the go- 
 vernor, affured me, that tho' they were 
 exempted from punifhment that day, the 
 next he would have them flead from head 
 to foot. — In fhort, when thofe wretched 
 creatures can no longer fupport their con- 
 dition, they fink into defpair. Some of 
 them put a period to their lives by poifon 
 or the halter: others- throw themfelves in- 
 to fome petty bout, without fails, without 
 comgafs, without provifion: in this man- 
 G 3, ner 
 
V&4 
 
 ner they hazard a paffage of two hundred 
 leagues to return to the Ifland of Mada- 
 gascar y from whence they were brought. 
 1 have known them land there, be re- 
 taken and returned- to their mailers, la 
 general they take refuge in the woods 
 where they are hunted by detachments 
 of foldiers, negroes, and dogs. Plan- 
 ters there are who make on fuch occa- 
 iions a party of pleafure. They are at- 
 tacked with the fpear, like wild beads. 
 When they cannot be reached this way 
 they are (hot. Their heads are cut off 
 and carried in triumph to town on the end 
 of a pole. This is what I have feen al- 
 moft weekly — — I have feen them hang- 
 ed and broke alive, they went to their 
 punifhment with pleafure and fupported 
 it without complaint. I have teen a 
 woman, throw herfelf voluntarily from 
 the ladder. They cry that in another 
 world they /ball ] find a happier life, and 
 that the father of mankind is notfo unjuft 
 as man—* — -I have daily beheld men and 
 women whipt in the manner before de- 
 fcribed for having broken a pot, or for- 
 got to flint a gate, their bloody limbs 
 afterwards rubbed with vinegar and fait 
 
 to heal them. 1 have feen them 
 
 in the excefs of their anguifh unable to 
 cry any longer. — — ■— I have feen theai 
 
 bite 
 
C^7] 
 
 bite the cannon on which they were 
 
 bound. 1 ficken at the recital of thefe 
 
 horrors. My eyes ach with feeing 
 
 them — — My ears with hearing them. 
 Here I fee poor negro- women bending o'er 
 their fpades, their naked children bound 
 upon their backs r Miserable creatures 
 
 that tremble as they pafs before me. 
 
 Sometimes I hear the found of their 
 ♦ drum, but more frequently the found 
 of whips cracking in the air like the re- 
 port of a piilol; and the heart rending 
 
 cries of mercy, maft&r mercy, If the 
 
 unfortunate creatures would complam. 
 that the laws in their favour are not ob- 
 ferved to whom can they complain ; their 
 judges are often their greateft tyrants 
 (witnefs the eounfellor before mentioned) 
 It is alleged that without this feverity, 
 it is impoffible- to manage the Haves, you 
 inuft have punifhments and pains, iron 
 collars with braces, whips,, blocks to 
 bind them by the foot, and chains to 
 go round their necks. They muft in 
 ihort be treated like beafts^, that the 
 whites may live like men. Can we won- 
 der at reafoning like this ? " Where there 
 &i is injuftice in the principle, there 
 " muft be inhumanity in the confe- 
 ^ qjjeuce^ 
 
 I am 
 
r 68 3 
 
 I am mortified when I think that thoie 
 phiJofophers, who have fhcwn fo much 
 fortitude in their attacks of moral and 
 religious abufes, have not mentioned the 
 
 poor negroes They turn from the 
 
 view of their misfortunes, they talk of 
 the ma-fiacre of the Mexicans by the 
 Spaniards, as if that crime were not the 
 guilt of their own days ; a guilt in which 
 half Europe is concerned. Is k a greater 
 crime at once to ailiilinate a people who 
 differ from us in opinion, than to hold 
 in living torments, a race of men who 
 labour for the gratification of our palates 
 and appetites, our internal and external 
 luxuries V* 
 
 If it is aliedged in anfwer to thefe nar- 
 ratives, that fuch cruelties may indeed 
 be pradifed by the Hollanders and French, 
 but that they are feldom ufed amongft 
 the Englifh, to this it may, with truth, 
 be replied, that tho' different circum- 
 ftances may occafton a variation of con- 
 duct in different places, yet there is in 
 effect but little difference ; wherever 
 flavery is practifed, and an unlawful de- 
 fire of gain prevails, it will have its natu- 
 ral effect:,, it will harden the heart, and 
 induce to the ufe of hard and cruel mea- 
 fuxes, to obtain the end propofed. Its 
 
 generally 
 
L 69 ] 
 
 generally thought that the Hollanders 
 exercife a greater degree of rigour and 
 cruelty towards their flaves, than the 
 Englifh. Neverthelefs our nation is in 
 forne cafes faid to exceed the former. An 
 Inftance of this is related by Captain Cook 
 before mentioned, who on his return 
 in his voyage round the world, at page 
 797. when at the IfLand St. Helena's, 
 belonging to the Englijh, tells us, " that 
 " the negro-flaves are very numerous in 
 
 " that ifiand. That they appear to 
 
 " be a miserable race, worn out by exce£ 
 " five labour, and partly by ill ufage, 
 " of which they frequently com plain," 
 he adds, I am very forry to fay, " that 
 <c in/lances of wanton cruelty are much more 
 " frequent among my country-men. here, than 
 " among the Dutch, who are, and ferhaps 
 c: not without reafon, generally reproached 
 " with want of humanity, at Batavia and 
 " the Cape, ,f 
 
 The foregoing accounts of the cruel 
 ufage the miferable Africans find, with 
 little variation in ail places and amongft 
 every people where flavery prevails, will 
 doubtlefs be grevious to fuch who feci 
 for the caufe of humanity and juftice. 
 Nor is it to be expecled that there will 
 be any amendment, whiift the deffici- 
 encies which happen by deaths, can fa 
 
 eafily 
 
[ 7o] 
 
 eafily be made up by frefh imports, and 
 the lives of the miferable negroes are left 
 to the caprice and paflion of their own- 
 ers, or their overfeers, more efpecially 
 as thefe lail generally expect favour from 
 their mailers, in proportion to the fugar, 
 &c. they caufe to be made, without any 
 check from the laws, which, rather coun- 
 tenance the murder of the flaves, if done, 
 or laid to be u done by way of chaflije- 
 " went" And even when it is pub- 
 Hckly known that the death of a flave 
 has been occafioned thro 1 " bloody mind- 
 u ednefs or wanton cruelty" yet agree- 
 able to the prevailing opinion, that the 
 fpirits of the flaves mult be kept down 
 by the moil humiliating diftin&ions, and 
 feverity of difcipline ; the profecution of 
 fuch murders is difcouraged^, indeed 
 great difficulties would attend thofe who 
 would attempt it, as it is feldom that 
 any white perfon is prefent when fuch 
 murder is committed, except the over- 
 feer or his dependants ; and that the evi- 
 dence of the negroes is of no validity 
 againft the whites. Hence the lives of 
 the poor flaves are in every refpecl, in a 
 very precarious fituation, fubject to thje 
 paffian and rage of thofe who have the 
 rule over them, and the fpilling of their 
 blood unnoticed by thofe who ought to 
 
 pro tech 
 
C 7i ] 
 
 protect them ; neverthelefs, it is not hid 
 from the all-feeing eye of God, and will 
 doubtlefs remain, tho' a covered, yet ac- 
 cumulated ftore of divine difpleafure a- 
 gainft the perpetrators of it. 
 
 And here it may not be improper to 
 lay before the reader a few inftances 
 from the many, very many, which might 
 be given of the {hocking cruelties exer- 
 cifed on the miferable negroes, being a 
 linking inftance of the dreadful infenfi- 
 bility which the habit of hard and cruel 
 meafures will gradually introduce in the 
 human heart. 
 
 The firft inftance was related by a per- 
 fon who furnifhed the compiler with the 
 advertifement from North-Carolina, viz. 
 That whilft he was there a negro wo- 
 man flying into the woods, probably 
 from ill ufage, was purfued by the over- 
 feer, who having met with her, after 
 cruelly beating her, faftned her to his 
 horfe, fo to drag rather than lead her ; 
 that before he reached the houfe me was 
 a dead corpfe. Such ufage of a fellow- 
 creature appeared moft unnatural and 
 cruel to the relater ; but what moft fur- 
 prized him was, to find that this poor 
 creature's life being taken away in fo 
 brutal a manner, made no impreflion on 
 the minds of the people \ it raifed no 
 
 indignation 
 
r n 1 
 
 indignation againft the murderer, or 
 commiferation for the unhappy victim ; 
 they feemed quite hardned to fuch fcenes. 
 He heard but one perfon take any man- 
 ner of notice of the matter. 
 
 Another inftance fell under the imme- 
 diate notice of a perfon of credit, when 
 in the ifland of Jamaica, now refiding 
 in this city. Hearing a grievous cry, 
 he went to the place from whence it 
 came, where he faw a young negro wo- 
 man of about eighteen years of age, 
 fwung by her hands, with heavy weights 
 at her feet, and a man lafhing her naked 
 body with a hard whip ; making paufes 
 from time to time, and flinging pickle 
 or fait and water on the wounds, the 
 whip had made. The fight was fo hor- 
 rible, that he turned from it and came 
 home. Sometime after, looking out, he 
 faw this fame young woman carried dead 
 on a board : She had been cruelly whip- 
 ped to death ; neither did he obferve 
 that this pitious fpeclacle drew the 
 concern or hardly attention of the peo- 
 ple. 
 
 A third inftance happened in Charles- 
 Town, in the prefence of a perfon now 
 refiding there. A veffei had taken in a 
 number of flaves, on the coaft of Guinea, 
 amongft chefe was a man, who probably 
 
 from 
 
C 73] 
 
 from the dignity of his fituation in his 
 own country, or from fome other caufe, 
 did not fhew fuch fubmiffion as the fhip's 
 people expected and require of ilaves. 
 They attempted to tie him with ropes, 
 but that not anfwering their purpofe, 
 they confined him in irons, and other- 
 wife fo tormented him during their paf- 
 fage from Guinea, in order to bring down 
 his fpirit, that when they arrived at 
 Charles-Town, he was in fo weak a con- 
 dition as to be fcarce able to \valk to the 
 place of fale, but as he was urged on 
 with the whip. When the ilaves re* 
 turned in the evening, this man remain- 
 ing unfold, was forced along with the 
 reft towards the veffel, he walked on 
 for a while*, till he came to the market- 
 place, where he fell ; but the whip being 
 exercifed upon him, he rofe, and going 
 on a little farther dropt down dead* 
 The relater, a perfon of credit, faw the 
 tranfaction, and exclaimed againft the 
 barbarity ; but no notice was taken, ei- 
 ther judicially or other wife ; he was 
 dragged along and flung into the fea, 
 to be devoured by the iharks. 
 
 The lait inftance I mall mention, hap- 
 pened in Carolina, on board a veifel with 
 Ilaves from Guinea, related by a per- 
 fon lately in this city from thence. It 
 
[ 74] 
 
 ieems the poor negroes had let in a per- 
 fuafion, from a fire appearing on the 
 fhore, that the white people propofed 
 to put them to death ; this made them 
 unwilling to leave the fliip : However 
 they were ail made to comply except 
 one man, who had taken fo ftrong hold 
 of fome part of the (hip, that the failors 
 were not able toloofe him. This raifed 
 the anger of the captain to fo great a 
 degree, that he (truck the poor fellow 
 fo hard a blow, with fomething like an 
 handfpike, as broke both his arms, 
 whereby the captain looking upon the 
 fellow as difabled and unfit for fale, 
 gave him another blow on the head, 
 which caufed his brains to fly about the 
 veflel, 
 
 " We know, fays a late refpeclable 
 author, that the negroes (employed in 
 our plantations) are purchafed from 
 their princes in Guinea, who pretend to 
 have a right to difpofe of them, and 
 that they are like other commodities, 
 tranfported by the merchants, who 
 .have bought them into America, in or- 
 der to be expofed to fale. If this trade 
 admits of a moral or a rational juftifi- 
 cation, every crime, even the moft atro- 
 cious, may be justified. Government 
 
 was 
 
C 75 ] 
 
 was inftituted for the good of mankind ; 
 kings, princes, governors, are not pro- 
 prietors or thofe who are fubjecl: to their 
 authority ; they have not a right to 
 make them miferable. On the contrary, 
 their authority is veiled in them, that 
 they may, by the juft exercife of it, pro- 
 mote the happineis of their people. Of 
 courfe they have not a right to difpofe 
 of their liberty, and to fell them for 
 Haves. Beikles, no man has a right to 
 acquire or to purchafe them : Men and 
 their liberty are not either faleable or 
 purchafeable. — No one, therefore, has 
 any but himfelf to blame, in cafe he (hall 
 find himfelf deprived of a man, whom 
 he thought he had, by buying for a 
 price, made his own ; for he dealt in a 
 trade which was illicit, and was prohi- 
 bited by the moil obvious dictates of 
 humanity. For thefe reafons, every one 
 of thpfe unfortunate men, who are pre- 
 tended to be ilaves, has a right to be de- 
 clared to be free, for he never loft his 
 liberty ; he could not lofe it ; his prince 
 had no power to difpofe of him. Of 
 courfe the fale was ipfo jure void. This 
 light he carries about with him, and is 
 entitled every, where to get declared. 
 As foon, therefore, as he comes into a 
 country in which the judges are not for- 
 H 2 getful 
 
C 7<$] 
 
 getful of their own humanity, it is their 
 duty to remember that he is a man, and 
 to declare him to he free. I know it has 
 been faid, that queflions concerning the 
 itate of perfons ought to be determined 
 by the law of the country to which they 
 belong ; and that, therefore, one who 
 would be declared to be a Have ill Ame- 
 rica^ ought, in cafe he mould happen to 
 be imported into Britain, to be adjudged 
 according to the law of America to be 
 a ilave ; a doctrine, than which nothing 
 can be more barbarous. Ought the 
 judges of any country, out of refpect to 
 the hw of another, to fhew no refpect 
 to their kind and to humanity. Out of 
 refpeel to a law, which is- in no fort ob- 
 ligatory upon them, ought they to dif- 
 regard the law of nature, which is obli- 
 gatory on all men at all times, and in 
 all places : Are any laws fo binding as 
 the eternal laws of juflice ? It is doubt- 
 ful, whether a judge ought to pay great- 
 er regard to them, than to thofe arbitra- 
 ry and inhuman ufages which prevail in 
 a diftant land ? Aye, but our colonies 
 would be ruined, if iiavexy was abolifh- 
 ed. Be it fo ; would it not from thence 
 follow, that the bulk of mankind ought 
 to be abufed, that our pockets may be 
 filled with money, or our mouths with 
 
 delicacies ? 
 
[ 77 ] 
 
 delicacies ? The purfes of highwaymen 
 would be empty in cafe robberies were 
 totally aboliihed 3 but have men a right to 
 acquire money by going out to the high* 
 way ? Have men a right to acquire it by 
 rendering their fellow creatures miiera- 
 ble ? h it lawful to abufe mankind, that 
 the avarice, the vanity, or the pailion of 
 a few may be gratified? No! There is 
 fuch a thing as juilice, to which the moil: 
 facred regard is due. It ought to be in- 
 violably obferved. Have not theie un- 
 happy men a better right to their liber- 
 ty and to their happinefs, than our Ame- 
 rican merchants have to the profits which 
 they make by torturing their kind ? Let 
 therefore our colonics be ruined, but let 
 us not render fo many men miferables. 
 
 Would not any of us,. who mould- 
 
 be matched by pirates from his native 
 land, think himfelf cruelly abufed, and 
 at all times intitled to be free. Have not 
 thefe unfortunate Africans^- who meet 
 with the fame cruel fate, the fame right ? 
 Are not they men as well as we, and 
 have they not the fame fenfibiiity ? J ' 
 
 " But it is falfe, that either we, or our 
 colonies would be ruined by the aboli- 
 tion of flavery. It might oecafion a (lag- 
 nation of bufinefs for a fliort time. Every 
 great alteration produces that efFed : Be- 
 H 3 caufe 
 
[ 73 1 * 
 
 eaiife mankind cannot on a fuddcn, find 
 ways of difpoiing of themfelves and of 
 their affairs : But it would produce many 
 happy e Heels. It is the ilavery which is 
 permitted in America that has hindered 
 it from becoming fo populous, as it would 
 other wife have done. Let the negroes 
 free, and in a few generations, this vail 
 and fertile continent, would be crowded 
 with inhabitants; learning* arts, and 
 every thing would flourim arnongfl them : 
 Inftead of being inhabited by wild beails^. 
 and by favages, it would be peopled by 
 philofophers, and by men." Prins. law 
 ef Scoth 
 
 li He who detain? another by force in 
 ilavery, is always bound to prove his 
 title. The Have fold or carried into a 
 diftant country, mull not be obliged to 
 prove a negative, that he never forfeited 
 his liberty. The violent poiFefTor mull in 
 air cafes mew his title, efpecially where 
 the old proprietor is well known. In this 
 cafe, each man is the original proprietor 
 of his own liberty. The proof of his lofing 
 it muft be incumbent on thofe who de- 
 prive him of it by force." Syfl. mor. fhiL 
 
 " Long and ferious reflections upon the 
 nature and co-nfequences of ilavery have 
 
 convinced 
 
[ 19 J 
 
 convinced me, that it is a violation both 
 of juftice and religion ; that it is danger- 
 ous to the fafety of the community in 
 which it prevails ; that is it deftruclive 
 to the growth of arts and fciences ; and 
 laftly, that it produces a numerous and 
 very fatal train of vices, both in the 
 
 Have, and in his mailer. Freedom is 
 
 unquestionably the birth right of all man- 
 kind ; Africans as well as Europeans : to 
 keep the former in a ftate of fiavery,. h 
 a con flan t violation of that right, and 
 therefore alfo of juilice. — r— The Britifh 
 merchants obtains the negroes form A~ 
 frica, by violence, artilice, and treachery, 
 with a few trinkets to prompt thofe un- 
 fortunate people, to enilave one another, 
 by force or ftratagenn Purchafe them, 
 indeed they may, under the authority 
 of an act. of the Britifh. parliament. An 
 act entailing upon the Africans (with 
 whom we were not at war, and over 
 whom a Britifh- parliament could not of 
 right affurne even a fhadow of authority) 
 the dreadful curfe of perpetual fiavery* 
 upon them and their children forever. 
 There cannot be in nature^ there is not in 
 all hi (lory, an in/lance' in which every right 
 ef men is more flagrantly violated" Lee's 
 Add. 
 
 EXTRACT 
 
C 80 I 
 
 EXTRACT of a Sermon preached by the. 
 Bifhop of Gloucefter, before the So- 
 ciety for the Propagation of the Gofpel 
 at their anniversary meeting, on the 
 2 1 it of February, ij66. 
 
 FR O M the free-favages I now come 
 (the laft point I propofe to confider) 
 to the ravages in bonds. By thefe I mean 
 the vaft multitudes yearly ilolcn from 
 the oppolite continent, and facriEced by 
 the colonics to -their great idol, the God 
 of Gain. But what then, fay thefe fin- 
 cere worihippers of Mammon, they are 
 our own property, which we offer up. 
 Gracious God! to talk (as in herds of 
 cattle) of property in rational creatures ! 
 creatures endowed with all our faculties, 
 poffeffing all our qualities but that of co- 
 lour ; our brethren both by nature and: 
 grace, fhocks all the feelings of humani- 
 ty, and the dictates of common fenfe. 
 But, alas i what is there in the infinite 
 abufes of fociety which does not mock 
 them ? Yet nothing is more certain in 
 itfelf, and apparent to all, than that 
 the infamous traffic for flaves direclly 
 infringes both divine and human law. 
 Nature created man free, \ and grace Invites 
 him to ajfert his freedom* h\ excufe of 
 
 this 
 
[ «i 3 
 
 this violation, it hath been pretended, 
 that though indeed thefe miferable out- 
 cafts of humanity be torn from their 
 homes and native country by fraud and 
 violence, yet they thereby become the 
 happier, and their condition the more 
 eligible. But who are You, who pre- 
 tend to judge of another man's happinefe ? 
 That ftate, which each man, under the 
 guidance of his maker, forms forhimfelf; 
 and not one man for another. To know 
 what confiitutes mine or your happinefs, 
 is the fole prerogative of him who created 
 us, and call us in fo various and differ- 
 ent moulds. Did your flaves ever com- 
 plain to you of their unhappinefs amidft 
 their native woods and defarts ? Or, 
 rather, let me a(k, did they ever ceafe 
 complaining of their condition under you 
 their lordly mailers ? Where they fee, 
 indeed, the accommodations of civil life, 
 but fee them all pafs to others, them- 
 felves, unbenefited by them. Be fo gra- 
 cious then, ye petty tyrants over hu- 
 man freedom, to let your flaves judge 
 for themfelves, what it is which makes 
 their own happinefs. And then fee whe- 
 ther they do not place it in the return to 
 their own country, rather than in the 
 contemplation of your grandeur, of which 
 
 their 
 
[ ?j ] 
 
 their mifery makes 10 large a part. A 
 return fo paflionately longed for, that 
 defpairing of happinefs here, that is, of 
 efcaping the chains of their cruel talk 
 mailers, they confole themfelves with 
 feigning it to be the gracious reward of 
 heaven in their future ftate ; which I do 
 not find their haughty mailers have as 
 yet concerned themfelves to invade. The 
 lefs hardy indeed wait for this felicity 
 till overwearied nature fets them free,. 
 but the more refolved have recourfe even 
 to felf-violence, to force a fpeedier paf- 
 fage. 
 
 But it will be dill urged, that though 
 what is called human happinefs be of fo 
 fantaftic a nature, that each man's ima- 
 gination creates it for himfelf, yet hu- 
 man mifery is more fubftantial and uni- 
 form throughout all the tribes of man- 
 kind. Now, from the worft of human 
 miferies, the favage Africans by thefe 
 forced emigrations, are intirely fecured, 
 fuch as the being perpetually hunted 
 down like beafls of prey or profit, by 
 their more favage and powerful neigh- 
 bours In truth, a bleffed change! — 
 
 from being hunted to being caught. But 
 who are they that have fet on foot this 
 general Hunting? Are thev not 
 
 ' thefe 
 
[ 23 3 
 
 tliefe very civilized violators of humani- 
 ty themfelves ? Who tempt the weak 
 appetites, and provoke the wild pailions 
 of the fiercer favages to prey upon the 
 
 reft/' 
 
 THE END, 
 
Some 
 NECESSARY 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EDUCATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Y O U, T H 
 
 in the Country-parts of this, and 
 the neighbouring 
 
 GOVERNMENT S, 
 
 THAT tlie religious and civil education of 
 our young people is an affair of the great- 
 eft importance, as it not only concerns the hap- 
 pinefs of individuals, but the welfare and pro- 
 sperity of Society, all are ready to acknowledge; 
 but when we caft our eyes over the country and 
 confider the little attention arid pains employed 
 therein, we mud allow that people either do 
 
 riot 
 
( * ) 
 not fpeak as they think, or that what they 
 mean by education, is fomething elfe than to 
 qualify their children to be ufeful and fervice- 
 able in life; and to fit them for eternal happi- 
 nefs. If the boy be defigned for any of the 
 learned profefilons, inquiry is made for a ma- 
 iler to teach him Latin; but if he be only de- 
 figned for the common offices of life, it is 
 thought fufficient that he be taught to read and 
 write, with a little arithmetick, and that often 
 bu-t very imperfectly; no matter by whom, 
 but the cheaper the better. Thus it happens 
 that perfons, every way, unqualified, both in 
 learning and morals, are, for the fake of hav- 
 ing it done cheaper, entrufted with the educa- 
 tion of children; by which means, the youth 
 are deprived of learning, and inftead of im- 
 proving in virtue, which ought to be the main 
 defign of innxuclion, rather become proficients 
 in vice. For, it is an undoubted truth, con- 
 firmed by fatal experience, that children catch 
 the vices of thofe with whom they converfe, 
 and that impreffions made on their tender minds 
 are deep and lailing. The love we owe to 
 God our great and good Creator, good will to 
 men, a ftricl: regard to truth ; a government of 
 their appetites and paflions, fhould be, as much 
 as poiiible, enforced on the youth * 
 
 If 
 
 * The chief aim -of inflruclion pointed out by the Gofpel, 
 and enforced by the wife men of every age and nation was 
 the amendment of; .die heart: Tlie Lacedemonians and 
 Perfians accounted ingratitude a crime,, whoever was even 
 capable of forgetting a benefit was looked upon as the 
 enemy of mankind. 
 
( 3') 
 If we really wifh to fee our children grow 
 up- in virtue and knowledge, and qualified to 
 be ufeful members of Society, the means muft 
 be procured, to which it is to be hoped, that 
 ttiofe who have not, as ueil as thofe who have 
 children, would cheerfully contribute, without 
 regard to any immediate advantage, they are 
 to reap; virtuous perfons qualified f or fo weigh- 
 ty an employment mnft- be fought for: And 
 in order that this may be done upon a lading 
 bottom, where the eftablifhment of a School is 
 neceffary, a fund fhoiiid be railed, which thro* 
 the divine bleiling, by donations, legacies, &c* 
 may become a lading fettiement; a lot of ground 
 fhould be provided,- Sufficient for a garden, cfch^ 
 ard, grafs for a cow,. &c. a hoiife, fhbles, &c. 
 erected thereon: There are few neighbour- 
 hoods, but may, in money from the rick, and 
 materials and labour from others, contribute fo 
 much as will an-fwer this charge; fuch a fettle- 
 ment, with a reafonabie Salary, will be an en- 
 couragement to a fober perfon, with a family, 
 who- will be likely Z<y fpend his life in the fer- 
 vice; fuch an one, from the experience he will 
 gain, Will be much more likely to anfwer the 
 good end propofed, than fuch transient perfons 
 as are often employed. Indeed the illjudged 
 euftom which has generally prevailed with the 
 country people, of hiring a fmgle perfon, on 
 account of cheapnefs, and for the fake of board- 
 ing him, amongft themfeives, is attended with 
 many inconveniences. Thefe are frequently 
 perfons of no liability, and little principle, who 
 engage ia that fervice, for a prefent mainten- 
 ance, 
 
nnce, which they are ready to quit, when ever 
 fomething more agreeable to their intereft or 
 humour offers; fo that, they have as little defire 
 as opportunity, of gaining that neceffary ex- 
 perience, which, nothing will fo effectually 
 give, as a ferious and fteady practice. 
 
 It is a moft abfurd piece of thrift, for the 
 fake of adding 40, or 50 pounds to a child's 
 .fortune, to deprive him of the benefit of a pro- 
 per education, for only to confider it in the 
 light of prudence, the child, if well inftructed, 
 will readily fave or gain that much more ; and, 
 if taught wherein true happinefs coniiiis, he 
 will never repine at the want of that fmall fum; 
 but to a perfon unprincipled in virtue, or cor- 
 rupted with evil habits, what is 40 or 50 pounds 
 more or lefs? Nay, does not daily experience 
 £bew Us that the greatefl wealth often anfwers 
 little or no other purpofe, than to adminfter to 
 folly, luxury, and debauchery; to inilame the 
 paffions of the youth, and give a wider range 
 to their licentioufnefs. 
 
 And, in order that this neceflary fervice fhould be 
 managed to the heft advantage, a number of perfons 
 the beft qualified, and able to attend the fervice, fhould 
 be chofen, to take upon them the care and overfight 
 of the School; to advife and affift the mafter; and to 
 be efpecially careful, that the children of the poor be 
 encouraged to attend, and be admitted, free of cofh 
 And the matters and overfeers are exhorted, and en- 
 treated, not to repine or grudge any labour they may 
 bellow in this good fervice, beyond what has been 
 ufualj but remember, they are promoting the purpofes 
 of our good Creator, whole will is the happinefs of his 
 creatures, who is able and willing to repay even a cup 
 of cold water eiven in his name; and the comfort it will 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 in future afford them to reflect, that they have in fome 
 meafure, been the happy inftruments in laying the foun- 
 dation for making; the youth ferviceable and happy here, 
 and of promoting their eternal happinefs hereafter. 
 
 The following advices are fubmitted to the confidera- 
 tion of thofe overfeers and Tutors who may be ap- 
 pointed to the care of fuch Schools, 
 
 lft. That in teaching Englim, particular care (hould 
 be taken to make children fpell correctly, by exercif- 
 ing them, frequently, in that necefTary branch of their 
 learning. 
 
 id. That endeavours be ufed to make the Scholars 
 read with proper emphafis and punctuation, to which 
 purpofe it will be alio neceiTary, befides the Bible to 
 make- ufe of Hiftorical and Religious Authors, of which 
 the School ought to be furnifhed with proper fetts. 
 
 3</. That fuch parts of Grammer as are applicable 
 to the Englim. tongue, be taught thofe boys who are 
 fit for it, in order to make them write properly, but 
 that they be as little as pomble, perplexed with fuch 
 nice diitinctions, as have no foundation in the nature 
 ef our language. 
 
 ^.th. That the Matter as often as is convenient make 
 a practice of dictating, to fuch Scholars who write 
 tolerably well, fome fentence out of fome good Author 
 which they are to write after him; then the Matter 
 carefully correct it, making fuch Grammatick and 
 Orthographic remarks as are neceflary: This the 
 Scholar mutt write over in his Book, which being 
 again reviewed by the Matter and the remaining omif- 
 fions noted, may be copied in the neateft manner on the 
 oppofite page. Some modern Grammarians alfo pro- 
 pofe, that the Tutors give their fcholars fome portion 
 of Hiftory, Sec. expreffed in fa'fe Orthography, Gram- 
 mar, &c. which they with the help of a Dictionary and 
 fome general Grammatle Rules mud make out as cor- 
 rect as they can, which after being fubmitted to the 
 Tutor's Remarks and Correction, ihould be neatly 
 copied over in their writing Books. Thele methods if 
 carefully purfued will much help their dictionj improve 
 
 their 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 their fpelling; teach them to copy correclly; and in 
 fome rneafure fupply the want of Claflical Learning 
 
 $th. That in writing care be taken to promote a ffrong 
 free hand, .which will be of moit common ufe, and 
 from which all other hands may be eafly formed. And 
 that the Mafter be particularly careful to make the pu- 
 pils fit in right portions at their writing and that they 
 hold their pen properly, on this their perfection in 
 writing very much depends. 
 
 bth. That in teaching Axithmetick it be recommend- 
 ed to the mailer to give in the jRrft place the moil plain 
 and practical rules; leaving thofe that are abftruce and 
 not generally neceifary, to boys of the brighteft genius, 
 ox lei Cure. 
 
 yth. That a fmall, but very plain kt of Merchants 
 Accompt Books, visa, a Day Book, or journal and 
 Ledger be provided^ juft fufficient to make the Scholars 
 acquainted with the nature of the moil plain entries of 
 Debtor and Creditor; that they not only be made to 
 copy thefe, in a neat and correct manner, but that the 
 mafter ufe his befl endeavours that they be made to ur> 
 derftand the reafon of what they are doing. 
 
 %th. That no latin be attempted to be taught, unlefs 
 a School mould be erected folety for that purpofe: The 
 teaching that language, in an Englifh School, infallibly 
 confuming i&ore of the 1 mailers time, than can be fpared 
 from his other foufinefs; and the few Latin-Scholars 
 mufl be very indifferently attended 
 
 qtb. That feme method be thought of for limiting 
 fehe number of fcholars, fo that the mafter be not over- 
 preft, in fome feafons of the year; and that the poor be 
 properly coniidered. 
 
 That fuch Rules, or Orders as may be thought ne- 
 ceiTary, be provided and fet up in fome public place in 
 the School; and that the mafter be enjoined to require 
 itri'dl: obedience to every one of them. 
 
 The following Rules of conduct, to fcholars extracled, 
 from thofe ufed in fome of the fcbools in Philadelphia,. 
 are propofed to the confederation of overfeers, and tu- 
 tors, to be improved and added to, as their experience 
 and iituation may make necefiary.. 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 i/?. Fail not to be at fchool precifely at the time 
 appointed; unlefs good reafon an be aili-gned to the 
 m after. 
 
 %d. Be always filent at your ftudies, fo that your 
 voices be not heard, unlefs when faying your leffons, 
 or fpeaking to your malter: Hold no difcourfe with 
 your fchool -fellows, during the time of ftudy, unlefs 
 to afk fomething relating to your learning and then in 
 a low voice, 
 
 2/i- Make all your fpeeches to your master with due 
 refpect.; obferving cheerfully his directions, according 
 to your abilities. 
 
 qtb. Behave yourfelves always in a gentle, obliging 
 manner, to your fchool-fellows; tenderly affectionate, 
 never provoking one another; contending nor complain- 
 ing about frivolous matters; but courteously ufe kind 
 expreiSons one towards the other; obferving to make 
 fome grateful return for any little kindnefs received. 
 
 §th. Be not forward to divulge any thing pafied In 
 fchool, nor to mock, or jeer your fchooi fellows for 
 being corrected; it is unkind, and may happen to be 
 your own caie. 
 
 6tb. Never tell a lie, or ufe artful evafions, nor de- 
 fraud any perfon, by word or deed: Swear not at alt; 
 nor ule the name of God irreverently, or in vain : 
 Mock not the aged, the lame, deformed or infane. 
 Throw no fticks, ftones, dirt, fnowballs, or any other 
 thing at any perfon, or creature: Revile no perfon; 
 nor utter any indecent expreflions: Never return any 
 injury or affront; but forgive, agreeable to the pofi- 
 tive injunction given us in the Lord's prayer. To for- 
 give as we defire to be forgiven, and the Apoftle's ad- 
 vice. That we forgive one another, even as God, for 
 Chrifis Jake, has forgiven us; but in all things to the beft 
 of your power, behave in a modeft, civil, and complai- 
 fant manner to all. 
 
 At Home. Before you rife from your beds, obferve 
 to look up to your Creator, offering a mental petition 
 to Him for help and protection, during the courfe of 
 the day. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Obferve, cheerfully, and readily, to comply with vour 
 parent's commands; always addrefling them with' ho- 
 nour and refpecl:, remembering the blefiing annexed, in 
 the third commandment, to the duty of honouring your 
 Parents. 
 
 Treat your Brothers and Sifters with affe&ion 2nd 
 good manners; and, in like manner, behave to the mea- 
 neft Servant; with kindnefs ufing the word pleafe, &c. 
 where proper; that your good example may induce 
 them fo to behave to you: Join not in their idle talk or 
 jetting; but choofe the company of perfons, whofe con- 
 versation is moft improving in the beft things. 
 
 Be not forward to fit down 'at table before your 
 elders; when feated be not eager to fall to your vicluals, 
 like the brute beaft; but firft make a folemn paufe, en- 
 deavouring to retire in your minds, in thankfulnefs to 
 the fupreme giver of them. Dont offer to carve or afk 
 for yourfelves, but wait till you are ferved; find no fault 
 with your food; but having eaten moderately, rife from 
 table, without noife, unlefs defired to flay. 
 
 At places of Worfhip, Obferve to be prefent at the 
 times appointed, entering the place foberly, fo as not 
 to difturb the meditations of thofe that are met: Sit in 
 a decent compofure of body and mind, putting up your 
 petitions to your heavenly Father, with an humble re- 
 verend difpofition; requeuing tcT~be enabled to offer 
 him fpiritual and acceptable worfhip. When worfhip 
 is over rife not up in a hurry, nor be impatient to be 
 gone, but refpectf ully pafs along without preffing, and 
 return decently home. 
 

THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 PRESENTED BY THE 
 
 WILLIAM A. WHITAKER 
 
 FOUNDATION 
 
 RARE BOOK COLLECTION 
 
 BR55 
 ,C6 
 
 no. 1-5 
 
 
 1 
 

 1