31 Aug 1811 1 Sept

Jug. Util

 or ?

6

B.II

Ch.3. Mischief Tolling pleasure

Nay but /Asceticism/ (says the ascetic—which is so much as to say the Christian—at any the Catholic and the Anglo Protestant Christians /Christian—though not as will be shewn in the genuine followers of Jesus/) the pleasures which Christianity /religion/ prescribes are not innocent are not pure pleasures—they are impure they are unclean ones.

But in so far as any thing is meant by impurity other than that of being constantly or at least occasionally attended by a sensation of the opposite kind which otherwise would not have been felt /experienced/ all this language about innocence and purity, and impurity, and cleanness and uncleanness is so much empty sound.

In the only precise sense just mentioned it is never meant: for in that a comparison and comparative estimate is implied, which is never made, a ballance which is never struck, nor was attempted to be struck: a balance which without the sensation of absurdity and tyranny /folly and presumption/ above brought to view /noticed/ could never have been attempted to be struck.

 But note the case where spiritous liquors are taxed to prevent drunkenness. But there no pains are employed: only innoxious pleasure rendered comparatively sharper.

*7

Objection for Ascetic Proscribed by Christianity no pleasure but impure

unclean ones.

8

Answer. Impure means nothing unless it be attended by a sensation of the opposite kind. Yet in this sole significant sense it is never meant: for it supposes comparison and estimate which never are made, nor could be without folly and tyranny as above.