On the causes of these ameliorations in the law see Röm. Alterth. V. 1. p. 199.
[758]. On the legislation of Constantine affecting slavery see De Broglie L’Eglise et l’Empire Romain, I. p. 304 sq. (ed. 5), Chawner Influence of Christianity upon the Legislation of Constantine the Great, p. 73 sq., Wallon III. p. 414 sq. The legislation of Justinian is still more honourably distinguished for its alleviation of the evils of slavery.
[759]. E.g. Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia (Spic. Solesm. I. p. 152). Yet St Chrysostom himself pleads the cause of slaves earnestly elsewhere. In Hom. xl. ad 1 Cor. x. p. 385 he says of slavery, ‘It is the penalty of sin and the punishment of disobedience. But when Christ came, he annulled even this, For in Christ Jesus there is no slave nor free. Therefore it is not necessary to have a slave; but, if it should be necessary, then one only or at most a second’. And he then tells his audience that if they really care for the welfare of slaves, they must ‘buy them, and having taught them some art that they may maintain themselves, set them free.’ ‘I know,’ he adds, ‘that I am annoying my hearers; but what can I do? For this purpose I am appointed, and I will not cease speaking so.’ On the attitude of this father towards slavery see Möhler p. 89 sq.
[760]. On the influence of Christianity in this respect see Wallon III. p. 314 sq., Schmidt Essai historique sur la Société Civile dans le Monde Romain etc. p. 228 sq. (1853), Möhler Gesammelte Schriften II. p. 54 sq., G. Smith Does the Bible etc.? p. 95 sq., E. S. Talbot Slavery as affected by Christianity (1869), Lecky Rationalism in Europe II. p. 255 sq., European Morals II. p. 65 sq.
[761]. Möhler p. 99 sq., Schmidt p. 246 sq., Lecky E. M. II. p. 73 sq.
Transcriber’s Note
Minor lapses in punctuation have been rectified. Certain other editorial or printing errors have been noted below, and corrected.
On p. 286, in the note on [i. 12] of Colossians for ὡς ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, the citation of Romans 8:33, referring to ‘God’s elect’ was incorrect, appearing as Romans 8.3. The correction has been made.