of mind have been distinguished by their Colour. And for want of the true, Ovid assigns a fabulous cause of it.
Sanguine turn credunt in corpora sunima vocato
Æthiopum populos nigrum traxisse colorem.
Metamorph. lib. 2.
Obj. 2. The Nigers are brottght out of a Pagan Country, into places where the Gospel is preached.
Ans. Evil must not be done, that good may come of it. The extraordinary and comprehensive Benefit accruing to the Church of God, and to Joseph personally, did not rectify his Brethren's Sale of him.
Obj. 3. The Africans have Wars one with another: Our Ships bring lawful Captives taken in those wars.
Answ. For aught is known, their Wars are much such as were between Jacob's Sons and their Brother Joseph. If they be between Town and Town ; Provincial or National : Every War is upon one side Unjust. An Unlawful War can t make lawful Captives. And by receiving, we are in danger to promote, and partake in their Barbarous Cruelties. I am sure, if some Gentlemen should go down to the Brewsters to take the Air, and Fish : And a stronger Party from Hull should surprise them, and sell them for Slaves to a Ship outward bound ; they would think themselves unjustly dealt with ; both by Sellers and Buyers. And yet 'tis to be feared, we have no other Kind of Title to our Nigers. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them : for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt. 7, 12.
Obj. 4. Abraham had Servants bought with his Money and born in his House.
Ans. Until the Circumstances of Abraham's purchase be recorded, no Argument can be drawn from it. In the mean time, Charity obliges us to conclude, that He knew it was lawful and good.
It is Observable that the Israelites were strictly forbidden the buying or selling one another for Slaves. Levit. 25. 39. 46. Jer. 34. 8-22. And God gaged His Blessing in lieu of any loss they might conceit they suffered thereby, Deut. 15. 18. And since the partition Wall is broken down, inordinate Self-love should likewise be demolished. God expects that Christian? should be of a more Ingenuous and benign frame of Spirit.
