What pious Man could be a Witness to these Things, and see a Trade carried on in this Manner, without being deeply affected with Sorrow?
Through abiding in the Love of Christ we feel a Tenderness in our Hearts toward our Fellow Creatures, entangled in oppressive Customs; and a Concern so to walk, that our Conduct may not be a Means of strength'ning them in Error.
It was the Command of the Lord through Moses, Thou shalt not suffer Sin upon thy Brother: Thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy Brother, and shalt not suffer Sin upon him, Lev. xix. 17.
Again; Keep far from a false Matter; and the Innocent and Righteous slay thou not, Exod. xxiii. 7.
The Prophet Isaiah mentions Oppression as that which the true Church in Time of outward Quiet should not only be clear of, but should be far from it; Thou shalt be far from Oppression, Isaiah liv. 14. Now these Words, far from, appear to have an extensive Meaning, and to convey Instruction in regard to that of which Solomon speaks, Though Hand join in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished, Prov. xvi. 5.
It was a Complaint against one of old, When thou sawest a Thief, thou consentedst with him, Psal. l. 18.
The Prophet Jeremiah represents the Degrees of Preparation toward Idolatrous Sacrifice, in the Similitude of a Work carried on by Children, Men, and Women: The Children gather Wood, the Fathers kindle the Fire, and the Women knead the Dough to bake Cakes for the Queen of Heaven, Jer. vii. 18.
It was a complaint of the Lord against Israel, through his Prophet Ezekiel, that they strengthen'd the Hands of the Wicked, and made the Hearts of the Righteous sad, Ezek. xiii. 12.
Some Works of Iniquity carried on by the People were represented by the Prophet Hosea, in the Similitude of Ploughing, Reaping, and eating the Fruit; You have ploughed Wickedness, reaped Iniquity, eaten the Fruit of Lying, because thou didst trust in thy own Way, to the Multitude of thy mighty Men, Hosea x. 13.
I have felt great Distress of Mind since I came on this Island, on Account of the Members of our Society being mixed with the World in various Sorts of Business and Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. Great is the Trade to Africa for Slaves; and in loading these Ships abundance of People are employ'd in the Manufactories.