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The interpretation of the Scriptures at present
received is in many instances not conformable
to the principle of Utility — agreed.
But mens Religious notions become daily more &
more enlighten'd — the true method of interpretation
gains ground more & more — this
method is not perhaps as yet brought quite
to a coincidence with the principle of
utility, but it approaches nearer &
nearer — time will come when this
will be confounded. The force of the Religious
Sanction will then apply itself take a direction exactly
coincident with that of the Moral & Political.
Its utility will then be in the
simple ratio of its power.
It is therefore a fallacy to consider its utility
as being always to be in the same ratio
& no greater, as it is at present. To judge of
it fairly, we should consider it's influence
as being what it is likely to be at a period
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probably not far distant, after which it
can never be can become less.
In this certainly in point of argument there
is nothing but what is that is not highly reasonable,
but I doubt how it will stand good
in point of fact.
To consider suppose its utility as at a low point
and at a stand, while it is verging to the
highest point, would be a false supposition
to argue or act according to such a supposition
would might lead one into mischievous
courses
But I doubt much of its ever certain
reaching to a coincidence.
I doubt much whether there was Will there ever be
a time when those who have application
of this Sanction in their hands will agree
in pronouncing it to apply in conformity
to the decisions of the principle of utility?
Will there ever be a time when the Clergy
of all denominations & all persuasions
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will declare it as their opinion of the
Christian Religion, that it prohibits punishes every
thing that tends to the clear diminution of human
happiness in this life, punishes it in proportion
as it tends to the diminution
of human that happiness, & punishes nothing
but what does tend to the diminution of that
happiness? [+] [+] that happiness consisting of pains & pleasures When in short they will be ready to declare
themselves persuaded that the utility of an act
is the sole measure of it's lawfulness according
to the Gospel- Scripture-doctrines?
When Is the time ever likely to come, when
the Legislature, constituted as it is at present
will establish the following form of
a Subscription for all who shall enjoy I
do not say merely it's toleration but it's
encouragement?
I. A. B. do believe
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To come to the point — would their consent Bishops
be content to consider for example the questions relative
to the permission of Divorces, of the marriage
of a wife's sister, of the Criminal jurisdiction
of Ecclesiastical Courts, of the
Authority & Riches of the different ranks
of their profession, upon the simple footing
of their utility to the state? I believe not.
They would I take it come to this compromise
between God & Mammon. They
would provide for their own happiness in
the present life, by maintaining at any
rate the interest they have in the several instruments
of enjoyment on the footing it stands
at present. They would provide for their own
happiness in the future life, by casting out
the standard of utility, & referring every
thing else to the standard of some Text.
They would in short proceed in all matters
that did not immediately touch themselves according
to the ideas of a long since departed
Head of our Church, Defender of the Faith who had so little notion of
the coincidence of the dictates of utility and the
precepts of Religion as to declare that for the
welfare of her three Kingdoms she would not do any
thing to the prejudice of her Soul.+ + v. Hume. Q. Mary.
SANCTION Religious. Disadvantages. "It's apparent conformity to Utility [BR][ ][ ] is improving." Answer.
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sanction religious disadvantages "its apparent conformity to utility is improving" answer |
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