2 Sept 1811

Jug. Util.

5

B.II.

Ch. 6 Mischief Tolling pleasure

5

Taking the matter in the lump as nature gave it birth, pleasure [...?] produce transient sensation and permanent fruit together, to render abstinence from it a matter of obligation—universal obligation was found unadvisable: it was not only inconsistent with the preservation of the species; (a result of which if taken by itself considering how corrupt that species was and is the mischief would not have been great;) but it would have been inconsistent with the great object of creation the providing of victims for the gratification of the insatiable malevolence of the all benevolent being /creator,/ in this life and the life to come, if nothing were begotten, nothing would be born: and, if nothing were born, there would be nothing to torment.

Next to the making it matter of obligation was the making it matter of merit: matter of obligation, it would have been such to all: matter of merit it were reward for the chosen few.

7.

Ascetic reason for not proscribing sexual pleasure: without it there would have been nothing for almighty benevolence to torment: extinction of the species in other respects no less: but to be tormented in this and the next world a man must have existed in this. ( [...?]?)