tion, any long-acknowledged and long-established authority, either political or domestic; but on the contrary, to inculcate a peaceful and dutiful submission to all lawful superiors; to 66 every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." 1 Pet. ii. 13. Yet, at the same time, it took care to lay down such general rules of conduct, and governing principles of action, for all ranks and conditions of men, as should silently and quietly, but effectually, correct the inherent vices or adventitious corruptions of every kind of power; such as should gradually soften and smooth away the asperities of every species of arbitrary government, whether supreme or subordinate, whether exercised over nations or individuals; and rather meliorate and reform them by gentleness, than subvert and destroy them at once, by open force and violence.

Another great principle of this divine religion, and its divine Author, was, to require from its followers a meek submission and patient resignation to evils, and sufferings, and persecutions of every kind, however unmerited, however unprovoked and unjust. "I say unto you, Resist not evil; bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; not rendering

evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing. Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Matt. v. 39, 44; 1 Peter iii. 9; Rom. xii. 19. In perfect conformity to these precepts was the example of our blessed Lord; "who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter ii. 23.

With these ideas and these sentiments, so predominant in every page of the sacred writers, it is evident what course the great Founder and the first Preachers of Christianity would take, respecting the long-established and almost universal practice of domestic servitude. Notwithstanding the extreme hardships and cruelties inseparable from that condition, they would not think it expedient to annihilate at once the authority of the master, and burst asunder suddenly the bonds of the slave; but would suggest to the one such motives to acquiescence and submission, and to the other, such reasons for moderation and tenderness in the exercise of his power, as they well knew would greatly lighten the miseries of this state for the present, and by degrees totally remove them.

Accordingly, masters were enjoined to give to their servants (that is, their slaves) that which was "just and equal, and to forbear threatening;" and they were told, what they had never been told before, that they also had a Master in heaven, with whom was no respect of persons, Col. iv. 1; Eph. vi. 9; who would one day demand from them a strict account of the use they had made of the unlimited power they possessed over their unfortunate fellow-creatures. They must know also, and would frequently be reminded, that they, as well as every other disciple of Christ, are commanded to consider all mankind as their brethren, 1 Peter iii. 8; treat them as such, to love them as themselves, to be condescending, gentle, tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate, and kindly affectioned towards them, and of course towards their slaves also.

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To the slaves, on the other hand, the most express commands were given, "to be subject to their masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: to please them well in all things; not answering again, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, with good-will doing

service, as to the Lord, and not to men." Eph. vi. 5-8; 1 Peter ii. 18; Titus ii. 10.

These precepts were evidently meant to guard against all provocation, all neglect of duty, all want of attention and diligence on the part of the slave; to render him meek, humble, patient, submissive, honest, industrious, faithful; and by thus disarming the anger, and conciliating the affection, of his master, to lighten, as much as possible, the weight of the chain that was upon him. At the same time, the slaves had encouragements and consolations held out to them, to which their heathen brethren were utter strangers. They were told, that by serving their masters well, they were not only "pleasing men, but God; that they were adorning the doctrine of their

Saviour; that they were to look forwards for their reward to the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; and that whatever good any of them did, the same should he receive of the Lord, whether he were bond or free." Eph. vi. 6, 8; Titus ii. 10, 13.

These were considerations sufficient to support, and soothe, and strengthen their souls under the harshest treatment, and the heaviest pressures of bondage; while the prudence, the fidelity, and the obedience, recommended to

them, would avert or soften the severities to which they were exposed. With these injunctions to the slaves on the one hand, and to the masters on the other, there can be no doubt that the condition of the Christian slave was far easier and happier than that of the Pagan. And wherever these injunctions are faithfully and conscientiously observed, the evils of servitude will be in a great measure subdued, and some of its sharpest stings will be drawn out. But this was not all that the Gospel did for this unfortunate race of men. When the empire became Christian, laws were made for their protection and relief. The influence both of government and of religion was continually operating in their favour, and gradually prepared the way for that happy event which, to the immortal honour of Christianity, took place in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries; I mean the utter extinction of the pagan system of slavery in Europe. It is true, indeed, that in consequence of the feudal tenure, and feudal customs, introduced into Christendom by its barbarian conquerors, another species of servitude for some time prevailed, under the name of villanage. But this, in point of severity, was not to be compared with the horrors of ancient slavery.