This is the great
thing with Paul. We can mitigate the sorrows of their bondage; we can
compensate for the appointments of providence reducing them to slavery,
by making them the freemen of Christ. While this state of things
continues, it may be a blessing to both parties. God will open a way for
any change which he decrees in our social relation, in his own time and
manner.
"'Now, let us suppose what would happen if, departing from the rule and
example of Paul, we follow the counsels of our good brother from
Laodicea. The community would be in constant excitement by the departure
of servants asserting each his natural liberty; laws would become rigid;
hardships would be multiplied; cruelties would be perpetuated;
insurrections would become frequent; sacrifices of servants, the
innocent with the guilty, would be made to deter from insubordination.
Instead of the spirit of the Gospel in our dwellings, alienations,
suspicion, jealousy, wrangling, strife, and every form of evil would
prevail. He is no real friend of servant or master who would enforce the
principles of our Laodicean brother. I adhere to the Apostle. If
questioned as to my right to hold Onesimus in bondage, the answer
immediately suggested is that an inspired Apostle sanctions it in my
case.
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