16 Nov 1813

Jug Util or Articles

Ch. Punish t misseated or Atonement

Error Causes

(1)

§. Causes of the errors concerning misseated punishments and expiation by repentance. God made man says the popular notion: man made God, says the true one. Savage man made a savage God: by this savage God, civilized man continues to be tormented.

Punishment—inflicted in any head other than that of the transgressor under the full consciousness of his not being a transgressor, and without cause or his consent—by the operation of what causes came it to be considered and spoken of as an act of justice?

Repentance—the demand for punishment done may by mere naked repentance—by the operation of which cause or causes came it to be considered as doing away—as cancelling the demand for punishment?

Atonement—With or without the consent of an innocent person, pain inflicted on that same innocent person, under a full consciousness of his innocence—by the operation of what cause or causes came it to be considered as doing away or cancelling the demand for punishment?

To /all/ each of these several questions an answer will naturally be looked out for. /By/ The exposure of error whatsoever satisfaction may happen to have been afforded is never regarded as compleat, till the cause or causes by the operation of which it has /was/ been produced have been brought to light and holden /held/ up to view.

The truth of this observation has seldom been more fully /pointedly/ /received a more pointed exemplification/ exemplified than in the present.