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W.C. 23 Sept. 1812
Church

1. Principles
Ch. Christianity

§.1. Christianity useful in
se

1
Comparative, if not
absolute inaptitude of
English establishment
supposed to be out of
doubt. p.1

2
Its present form a
consequence of its
original, and of the
subsequent conformations.
p.1

3
The original conformation,
is it to be
regretted or no? Would
not no establishment
have been better?
p.1

4
The question a curious
one, & (it will be seen)
not devoid of practical
use. p.1

5
Professed end of its
introduction, the
introduction of Christianity.

6
Truth being out of
the question. — Ought
the introduction of
that religion to be
regarded as a temporal
blessing, or no?
If no, the introduction
of the establishment
having no good purpose
to answer, and being
besides burdensome, is
worse than useless:
if yes it would naturally
be regarded as
beneficial on the whole.
p.2

7.
Conceditur by its most
warm advocates, that in
Christianity as first
introduced here, much
absurdity and mischief
and falsehood, (of which
specimens have been
given here) was interwoven.
p.2

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§.1. Christianity useful in se

8
Their temporal interests
the principal if
not the only motive
of its introducers.
p.2

9
Non sequitur from this
that the introduction
of Christianity was
not beneficial on the
whole p.3

10
Necessary consideration
the state of society here,
at that time

This was completely
barbarous. —
Intellectuals and
morals rude — Letters
unknown, social affections
weak, and extending
scarcely to any
but relatives.

Under Xtianity, philanthropy
a leading precept,
and prominent feature
— while in all the
religions it ousted
no such professed supernatural
precept is to
be found. p.3

11
Without the religious
sanction thus applied
would this precept have
attained its present
influence? —
Difficult or impossible
on sufficient grounds
to answer in the affirmative.

Under the religion of
Jesus we see the effect
in it an adequate cause.
No other religion so much
as tends to that effect.

Human intelligence
might possibly have
produced it — but it is too
much to set aside any
such directly operating
circumstance in favour
of one merely capable
of producing the same
effects. p.4

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§.2. Establishmt of it useful
§.2. Useful as first established

1
The introduction of
Christianity being on
the whole beneficial,
it is difficult to consider
as otherwise
the introduction of
the Establishment

The introduction of
the religion, the service
— the establishment,
(the wealth &c) the
reward — Without
any such prospects
the establishment
might perhaps have
been produced, but
it is rash to say it would.
It was not produced
without it. — This
matter of fact, the
other of opinion.
p.1.

2
True, that with
Christianity came
in fraud, absurdity,
and mischief, in no
small quantity.
But they found
established mere
brutal force.
p.2

3
Operating by itself
under the self regarding
and dissocial
affections, without
experience, — (for without
literary records
the best light of
experience is but
small) with little
restraint from benevolence,
sense of duty
or prudence, power
constituted by blind
acquiescence, would
have become unbridled
despotism in the
hands of the few.

When its their interests
coincided with the
ecclesiastic's interests,
the people found
able advocates. And
in disputes between
the two powers, the
people was appealed
to and acted as judge.
p.2.

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§.2. Establishment of it useful
§.2. Useful as first established

4
Necessary as were these
appeals — still more
salutary effects were
produced when no such
appeal took place: as
prevention is better
that punishment, so
is it better without
than with human
sufferings, whether
from superiors or
equals. —

As those receive most
benefit from judicature,
who have never
been suitors, so most
benefit was received
from this rivalry
when no contest took
place. The application
of the power of the
many in the one case
was attended with
many evils from
which the apprehension
of it in the other
was free. p.3.

5
Though clear that
without Christianity
the social affections would
not have risen to their
present pitch, yet it
follows not from this
alone that the persuasion
of the truth of
that religion is necessary
to their continuance
or even increase.
The question of whether
it be so or no is to be
considered on other
grounds, and not
coming within the
present enquiry must
be left unvisited.
p.4.

6
If by religions terrors
came unhappiness
be caused to men
then they would experience
from the with others self regarding
and dissocial affections
unbridled by religion,
religion is not beneficial
upon the whole: — viz. with
relation to the present life

Identifier: | JB/006/031/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 6.
Date_1	1812-09-23	Marginal Summary Numbering	1-11, 1-6
Box	006	Main Headings	church of englandism
Folio number	031	Info in main headings field	church
Image	001	Titles	christianity useful in se
Category	marginal summary sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner	walter coulson	Watermarks	<…> co
Marginals		Paper Producer	a. levy
Corrections	jeremy bentham	Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	2764
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