1 Sept 1811

Jug. Util.

B.II. Under Revelation

Ch.4. Mischief 4. Forcing pain.

2

Among Christians this /costly/ mode of purchasing favour at the hands of an almighty being to whom if he had benevolence equal to that which falls to the share of the least benevolent /among/ of his creatures /human subjects/ it would be /a source/ matter of [...?] and horror rather than of satisfaction, seems /out of date/ no longer in vogue. For /the display of/ merit in this shape for the display of merit even the occasion is wanting. /As to persecution/ In vain would persecution be counted where persecutors are not to be found. As to conversion, labourers in this vineyard are not altogether wanting, but some time or other the process is not found at present to be attended with that part /those mortal parts/ of life with which at some time it was encompassed /environed/.

At present, abandoned by Christians /given up by the followers of Jesus/, the system /process/ of self torment, with whatsoever merit may be found /belong to it/ adhering to it, seems relinquished to Mahommetans and Hindos to the followers of Mahomet and the votaries of Bramah.

But not the Flagellants.

4.

An obstacle to martyrdom is that there are no adequate persecutions.

Of conversion the operation is not unexampled: but to that purpose few instances adequate to and that of martyrdom in any shape voluntarily [...?] are not to be found.

5.

Abandoned by Christianity the value of the duty or meritoriousness of self-torment is left to Mahommetans and Hindos.