Dr. Perci-val's Notes and Illtiftrations. 641 



a rieht to difpenfe with that accountablei\efs, or to yield up his 

 will and conduft to the abfolute difpofal of another. Befides, 

 every ■ compact implies reciprocal and proportionate benefit. 

 But what benefit can he derive from an aft, which divefts him of 

 all the capacities for properly, all the rights of a citizen, and all 

 the honourable diftindlions of a rational being ? Captivity can- 

 not itfelf be juftified, except as the confequence oi lawful war. 

 And the prifoners, though they may properly be compelled to 

 work for their own maintenance, or, perhaps, in fome fpecial 

 inftances, to make compenfation for damages fuftained, owe 

 no farther fervices to tlieir captors ; and have a natural right 

 to be reftored to liberty, when fuch obligation has been fulfilled, 

 or whenever there Ihall be a ceffation of war. In the cafe of 

 debt, alfo, the claim to fervitude is limited, extending only to 

 the retribution of the creditor ; and never involving in it any 

 right over pofterity. As a punipment for crimes, flavery may 

 fometimes be deemed both reafonable and politic j but, in its 

 duration and feverity, it muft be exaftly proportionate to the 

 offence : And, as moft punilhments are intended for reformation, 

 iio lefs than for example, the benefit of the flave and of the 

 public is to be the fole ftandard of its meafure. How little 

 applicable are thefe canons to thfe j unification of flavery, as it 

 formerly fubfifted in Evn-ope ; or to the praftice of tranfporting 

 flaves from the coaft of Africa to our colonial pofleffions ! — liut 

 the authority of the holy fcriptures is pleaded. To the Jewifh 

 laws and cuftoms we owe no obedience ; and the evangelical 

 code will afTuredly be found repugnant to flavery, in its dodlrines, 

 its precepts, and the example of its divine founder. We are 

 therein taught, that all mankind are equally the children of one 

 common Father, redeemed by the fame Sanour, and joint heirs 

 of glory and immortality. We are commanded to love our neigh- 

 bours as oirrjeliies ; and to do unto others, as lue nuould they Jhould 

 do unto us. And our divine mafter was himfelf meek and loivly 

 in fpirit, condefcendlng to men of Io-im cjiaie, and continually going 

 about to do good. Converted fervants, indeed, under the yoke, 

 are enjoined to count their o-vun mafter s nuorthy of all honour. This, 

 however, can only mean all reafonable honour : And the believ- 

 VoL. III. T t ing 



