1821 March 12

Jug Util.

2

Plan of the Work

(1)

Postpone?

Among those in whose eyes there is no truth in religion either alledged revealed or natural, the number is very considerable of those in whose eyes it is either effectively necessary to the being of society or at any rate more or less useful. To those all discussion relative to its verity would appear superfluous, useless and unnecessary. Of all the questions relative to this subject to those it will naturally be no small satisfaction to find held before them in the first instance the only one in which having taken any interest and that in a state so compleatly separate as to render it needless for them to encumber themselves with any thing that follows or may hereafter follow.

In the whole design eight topics, constituting so many distinguishable and distinguished Parts of the entire work commensurate to the entire design, are comprehended. Of those it is proposed to comprize in the first publication no more than the two first: say Parts I and II. Of these two Parts Natural Religion considered apart from alledged Revealed is the subject. Marginal note parallel to the preceding paragraph: ‘Proposed title of these two Parts taken together is The Usefulness of Natural Religion in the present life examined. Proposed Title of Part I On the usefulness of Natural Religion, Verity not considered. Proposed Title of Part II On the usefulness of Natural Religion, apparent Verity considered.’

In the second publication may be comprized Parts III. IV. V. Of these three Parts alledged Revealed Religion and the Religion of Jesus in particular is the subject. Proposed title of the entire publication The usefulness of Revealed Religion in the present life examined. Proposed title of Part I (Part III of the whole) On the Usefulness of Revealed Religion at large, apparent verity considered. Proposed Title of Part II. (Part IV of the whole) On the usefulness of the Religion of Jesus, its apparent Verity considered in a general point of view. Proposed Title of Part III (Part V of the whole) On the usefulness of the Religion of Jesus, Verity apart or not considered.

In this second or in a separate publication may be comprized Part VI having for its subject the Religion of Jesus considered under the form given to it by Political Establishments.

It will be for consideration whether it might not be advisable upon the whole that this Part should not only constitute a separate publication, but as to order and even time of publication take place of Parts III, IV and V, and even of Part III. The use and reason for such precedence and separateness is the keeping as clear as may be of [the] wording to shock the prepossession of those in whose eyes their Religion has its use and value independently of all such Establishments. By this means in case of success, one half of the twofold design /might in these minds/ would be accomplished: namely the withdrawing their support from Religion in the character of an instrument of [...?] and without the risk of shocking them beyond reconciliation by a shock given to them the strongest of their adverse prepossessions.