1817 Sept. 1

Not Paul

2 o

Ch. II Paul’s Doctrine

§ Cause of P’s Asceticism

§. 1. Pleasures, rivals

§. 1. Why, not having been preached by Jesus, asceticism was preached by Paul.

Two facts―two intimately connected but eminently contrasted facts―have been put out of dispute / placed above dispute /. By Jesus on no occasion is any doctrine savouring of asceticism any where stated as having been preached: by Paul, much may be seen preached in many places: much, and that much carried to a great length: to a length extraordinary in itself, but less extraordinary when consideration is had of the ardency / impetuosity / vehemence // of his character / cast of mind.

Such being the facts―so great / wide so important / the difference between the doctrine of the alledged MS orig. ‘pretended’. pupil and his alledged Master, now on to the cause. The cause when once brought to view will present itself as being by no means an obvious / unobvious / one: it being in respect of its relative / appropriate / effieciency―its adequacy to the effect in question so undeniable an one.

In so far as in the case of the individual in question, natural propensity and favourable situation with reference to the situation / pursuit / in question are united / concurr /, all pursuits Bentham note at this point: ‘it has already been observed Quære.’ are rivals to one another: rivals, in a degree of efficiency proportioned to the force / strength / of the propensity. He who takes upon him to become the preacher of a new religion, true or false, beholds in every pursuit in which those to whom he addresses himself / his wished-for disciples / engaged or liable to be engaged, a source of rivalry of position and competition: a competition the formidableness of which will be as the strength of the propensity to the pursuit, of all propensities of the competition of which Paul / the preacher in question / found reason to be apprehensive that which belongs / corresponds / to / has its seat in / the sexual appetite was manifestly the strongest. Against this therefore / it were most natural that / his hostile endeavours to be / should / pointed / pushed / with greatest anxiety and force and energy.