20 July 1810 24

Fallacies Ch | | Authority worship

2

. 4 Churchmen Sinister interest

On any subject unconnected with religion, no one would suppose that in the question what ought to be law the bare opinion of a Churchman would is not likely either to be delivered or to be received in the character of an authority any more than that of any other man. If in that character attempted to be employed, it is in the character of a fallacy that it would be employed) but presenting no prospect /probability/ of operating in that character, it applies not in that case in the character of an example of the species of fallacy here held up to view

/It would be in the character of a man of sense /knowledge/ and probity and not in the character of a Churchman as such - that his bare opinion if referred to under any expectation of its influencing the decision would be employed./

To understand how unfit it is that great the probability of deception would be if on the question what in matters of religion ought to be true the opinion delivered by a Churchman ought as such to be were to be regarded as authority and as such were admitted by a man to [...?] an influence on his decision independently of any specific reasons /arguments/ with which it might happen to it to be accompanied it is necessary to understand /have a clear conception of/ the nature and force[?] of the sinister interest to the action of which in the present state of [...?] [...?] [...?] a person in that situation stands exposed.