date

Text in the hand of Colls. 1821 Nov
Text in the hand of Colls.

1821 Nov r 18

Jug Util

8

§ Allcomprehensive sketch

8

As to natural religion nobody can deny but that by the influence of it good effects have been produced: nobody can deny but that by the influence of it bad effects have been produced: the question is therefore throughout only as to the magnitude & the proportions.

One course indeed has been taken by means of which in so far as it has succeeded natural religion has to the satisfaction of all those in whose instance it has succeeded been cleared altogether of all imputation of having given birth to ill effects in any shape. In so far as the effects produced by it have been regarded as being Good religion has been the name given to the cause to which these effects have been ascribe: in so far as the effects have been regarded as bad this name has been discarded & the word superstition has been substituted. Prodigious is the extent to which this cause of illusion understood or not understood as such by those by whom it has been employed has been productive of that effect.
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    But for revealed, religion, might be cleared of its mischievous efficiency: but thereby so it would mostly be of its beneficial d o: yet so as the clearance might on the whole be beneficial.

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    § All comprehensive sketch

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    Ch 3 Resources

    Tacitus

    Tacitus Hist. Lib. V. §. 13. II. 205

    Clearly understood to the Roman Statesman and Historian was the difference between superstition and religion: not more clearly to any Christian or to any Jew or to any Christian to the most pious Christian, to the most pious Jew. of Supernatural agency the subject, Superstition the imagination of others: religion, our own.

    One miracle more: a prodigy is now the name by which it is designated. The temple of Jerusalem the scene: the prodigy true: the interpretation put upon it by the Jews themselves — in that lay the only falsity. Such was their hardness of heart, they supposed took themselves instead of Vespasian and Titus to have been the portended conquerors.

    XIII.