1819 Apr. 18

Jug. Util.

Ch. Originality none.

2

Remains the article of novelty. But under the head it is still more palpably destitute than under either of the others.

On this occasion there is neither need nor use in dwelling in the Pagan hell and elysium: the bare allusion is sufficient.

What is more to the purpose is—that among the Jews—in that very nation to which Jesus belonged, and to which he was preaching, the doctrine of a future state had nothing new in it. So we learn from Jesus’s biographers themselves.

It was even the predominant opinion. The question, future life or none furnished the characteristic difference between the two principal sects into which the profession of the Jewish religion were at that time divided: namely the Pharisees and the Saducees. The Pharisees were believers in the affirmative: the Sadducees unbelievers: believers in the negative.

But not only throughout the four Gospels, but in the history of the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistles of Saint Paul, it appears beyond doubt that the Pharisees were the prevailing sect: they were the orthodox: the Sadducees were a sect of dissenters. To Saint Paul to belong to the Pharisaic persuasion was matter of boast.

Utility— verity— novelty—of all these elements of worth[?] it is now it is hoped sufficiently seen, in how compleat a degree the religion called the Christian is compleatly destitute.