The American defence of the Christian golden rule, or An essay to prove the unlawfulness of making slaves of men. By him who loves the freedom of the souls and bodies of all men, John Hepburn.

The Preface to the Reader.

Christian Reader;

IT is not singularity or Ostentation that I appear in Print, but my Christian Duty, in Honour to God, and the Salvation and well being of the souls of men, in the De|tection of the Anti-christian Practice in making Slaves of them who bear the Image of God, viz. their fellow, Creature, Man; A Practice so cruel and inhumane, that the more it is thought upon by judicious men, the more they do abhor it; It being so vile a contradiction to the Gospel of the blessed Messiah.

And if our Negro-Masters were put to it, to bring an Instance that a man denyed the Christian Faith, I think they could not bring a stronger Instance, then that he was found in the Practice of making Slaves of men. And furthermore, I doubt not, but this may be to some a very unwelcome Theam, and they would wonder to find their beloved Deti••ah, the making Slaves of Negros, and others rejected, although the more moderate Christians do full well know, that. I 〈◊〉〈◊〉

the Truth on my side. And if these Lines should come to the Island of Great Britain (my native I and) I hope the sincere Chri|stians there of all Sects will commend my Christian care, in detecting so gross a cor|ruption as this, crept in by reason of the Fa••e and Gains it brings to our American Chri|stians; And I hope the learned Christians there will admonish their American Brethren, for putting such an Affront upon the ever blessed Messiah, and his glorious Gospel as this their Practice doth, in making Slaves of Men.

This Practice cannot but be very offensive to sincere and honest hearted Christians, that this Practie should be heard among the Heathen, to harden them in such heathenish Practices.

And now, Reader, I am going to shew thee a Wonder, and that is, this thirty years that I have been in America, this Pra|ctice has been carried on almost in profound silence, which it is like the Negro-Masters will take it the harder to be opposed now. It is true, John Tillotson of Canterbury hath two Sermons in print concerning Restitution, and he tells them there, that they cannot have Admittance into Heaven without making Restitution of the wrong done to there fellow

Creatures. And if this be applyed to the wrong done to Negroes, I have Bishop Til|lotson on my side. This and many other excellent things have dropt from the Pen of that (in many things, no doubt, an) excel|lent man.

And Cotton Mather calls the Inslaving of Negroes, A crying Sin in the Land.

And George Fox printed against this Pra|ctice, and sent it to the Barbadoes-Quakers. Such was the early care of this excellent man above forty years ago; But his Chri|stian Admonition was rejected. It is true, there are some excellent souls among them still, who came out of Old England, that have kept their Integrity, namely John 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Thomas Chalkley, and others, who when they see this Abomination acted by their American Brethren, they openly bear Testimony in their publick Assemblies, and declare against it (as I am credibly informed) There was another Paper Printed by (I think) G. Ke••th his Party at Philadelphia; and half a Sheet was printed against this Practice at London, called the Athenian Oracle, But the most of all those writings I doubt are destroyed by Negro-Masters, that the Reader will find them almost as scarce to be found as the Phenix Egg. And last-of

all, I have appeared against this Practice although I have lain dormant above th•••• thirty years; for the which I acknowledge my Failure before God and man, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desire forgiveness of God, and next I desi•••• the forgiveness of man; for the reason that I was silent so long, because I waited for my ••etters to undertake the work; and i•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had appeared in this Work, it is like I ha•••• been silent still.

Now whether they will hear or forbear for the future, I hope to be clear of their Blood, and if they will not repent and ma•••• Restitution, I cannot help it; for I have faith|fully warned them of their Danger; For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earnestly contended for the Truth, and honestly declared against this Inriching Sin, in making Slaves of Men. And now I think to end my Preface as I began it, and that is, I chiefly design the Honour of God, and next the Welfare and Salvation of Souls. If hap|pily I might be instrumental to deter any one Soul from being catcht with this inrich|ing Sin, or instrumental of the Repentance o•• Restitution made by one Soul that is and alrea|dy guilty, then I desire they should give God the Glory, and I make no Question in having my Reward.

And now to find the Longitude, Many a Man hath gone about, But the Perpetual Motion, Our Negro Masters have found out.

New-Jersey, 1st Month, 1714

John Hepburn.