of Cash laid out upon them; and for the Redemption of our own enslaved Friends out of Africa.  Besides all the Persons and Estates that have perished there.

     “Obj. 1. These Blackamores are of the Posterity of Cham,
     and therefore are under the Curse of Slavery.  Gen. 9, 25,
     26, 27.

“Ans. Of all Offices, one would not beg this; viz.  Uncall’d for, to be an Executioner of the Vindictive Wrath of God; the extent and duration of which is to us uncertain.  If this ever was a Commission; How do we know but that it is long since out of Date?  Many have found it to their Cost, that a Prophetical Denunciation of Judgment against a Person or People, would not warrant them to inflict that evil.  If it would, Hazael might justify himself in all he did against his master, and the Israelites from 2 Kings 8, 10, 12.

“But it is possible that by cursory reading, this Text may have been mistaken.  For Canaan is the Person Cursed three times over, without the mentioning of Cham.  Good Expositors suppose the Curse entailed on him, and that this Prophesie was accomplished in the Extirpation of the Canaanites, and in the Servitude of the Gibeonites.  Vide Pareum.  Whereas the Blackmores are not descended of Canaan, but of Cush.  Psal. 68, 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt [Mizraim]. Ethiopia [Cush] shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.  Under which Names, all Africa may be comprehended; and their Promised Conversion ought to be prayed for. Jer. 13, 23.  Can the Ethiopian change his Skin? This shows that Black Men are the Posterity of Cush.  Who time out of mind have been distinguished by their Colour.  And for want of the true, Ovid assigns a fabulous cause of it.

       Sanguine tum credunt in corpora summa vocato
       AEthiopum populos nigrum traxisse colorem.  Metamorph. lib. 2.

     “Obj. 2. The Nigers are brought 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