PRIVATE

§. 3. Exposure A o 1811

To the absurdity involved, as above, in the notion of tying up the hands of generations yet to come is added in this case that which consists in the use sought to be made of supernatural power: the hand pressed into the service is that of the invisible and supreme ruler of the universe. In the former case may be seen an absurd object or end aimed at: in the present case a contrivance involving a separate absurdity is employed in the character of a means employed in the prosecution of that absurd end.

The oath taken the form of words involved in it being pronounced, is or is not the almighty bound to do what is expected of him? Of the two contradictory propositions which is it that you believe?

If he is not bound, then the sanction, the security, the bond, the obligation amounts to nothing. After it has been thus sought to be imposed, matters stand exactly upon the same footing as if no such obligation had been sought to be imposed.

In the margin, Bentham has noted at this point: ‘Put it not on the footing of reasonableness or unreasonableness. On this ground it can not be put without [...?] the other.’

If he is bound, then observe the consequence. The almighty is bound: and by whom bound? - of all the worms that crawl about upon the face of this minute speck in the mundane system called the earth in the shape of men not only by some one, but by any one, and by any number of thoem that please

And to what is he bound? To every observance to a great number of contradictory and incompatible observances, if so they please in numbers as great as to any number of conflicting legislators it may please to concur in the imposing of these unperformable tasks.