1 Sept 1811

Jug Util

+ B.II. Ch.3. B

B.II. Under Revelation

Ch.3. Mischief Weakening Natural

6

Repentance

The physical evil of repentance being thus converted into a psychological a moral or rather a religious good. Observe the consequence /consequences/.

One is that come when it will it makes no difference, so it does but come. The /evil deed/ crime committed be it what it may it is atoned for by repentance, but the mere pain of repentance, although the deathbed being the /place/ scene of it and the act of repentance the /sinners/ mans last act, all practical fruit from it is impossible.

2. In this same state of things, the greater the pain the greater the merit; and the greater the merit, the greater the quantity of evil, of evil in other shapes which /than/ evil in this shape is capable of atoning for, and expunging from the account.

In force so great is the merit and power of compensation compensative power /virtue/ attracted to this pain, that it is capable of making atonement not only for the evil of the sinful /evil/ /mischievous/ act by which it was produced, but for the evil of other mischievous acts, of other mischievous acts without number.

Acting upon this principle, and pursuing it with consistency, a set of Christians in Denmark it is said discovered in premeditated murder the most effectual /efficient/ means that could be devised for recommending themselves /securing to themselves/ to the favour of almighty benevolence.

12.

Consequence of the example of the physical evil of repentance into the psychological merit of religious good, 1; Good still, how late soever, even though on deathbed, when all practical fruit is impossible.

13.

2. Greater the pain, greater the merit. Thence the quantity of mischief it can attone for and expunge.

14.

Be the pain great enough, it may atone for the evil not only of the offence that produced it, but of other offences.

15.

Denmark fanatics their contrivance for gaining [...?] by child murder and repentance: process—