Samuel Hopkins
Samuel Hopkins
Samuel Hopkinswas an American Congregationalist theologian of the late colonial era of the United States, and from whom the Hopkinsian theology takes its name...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth17 September 1721
CountryUnited States of America
against blacks case considered dreadful land liberating light objection pity poor proper retaining shocking together true viewed wretched
Let this iniquity be viewed in its true magnitude, and in the shocking light in which it has been set in this conversation; let the wretched case of the poor blacks be considered with proper pity and benevolence, together with the probably dreadful consequence to this land of retaining them in bondage, and all objection against liberating them would vanish.
dispose express men nations permission round
It was right for them to make bond-servants of the nations round them, they having an express permission to do it from him who has a right to dispose of all men as he pleases.
attended darkness finds forms good ignorance marvelous members men properly savage state turns
This institution of Heaven, when properly attended to, understood, and cordially embraced, turns men from darkness to marvelous light. If it finds them in a state of savage ignorance and barbarity it civilizes them, and forms them to be intelligent and good members of society.
cannot escape lively obtain ourselves protection slaves smiles wretched
Furthermore, the slaves cannot be put into a more wretched situation, ourselves being judges, and the community cannot take a more lively step to escape ruin, and obtain the smiles and protection of Heaven.
appear cannot far infinitely justifying thousand
These Scriptures, therefore, are infinitely far from justifying the slavery under consideration; for it cannot be made to appear that one in a thousand of these slaves has done any thing to forfeit his own liberty.
expense folly free hold indeed order ourselves slaves trouble violation
If it be not a sin, an open, flagrant violation of all the rules of justice and humanity, to hold these slaves in bondage, it is indeed folly to put ourselves to any trouble and expense in order to free them.
produce scripture willing
However, I am willing to hear what you can produce from Scripture in favor of any kind of slavery.