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Stapteton , near Bristol * Sir , Sept . A , 1823 . IN reply to the remarks of your correspondent Mr ; Eaton , in your last Number , ( p . 465 , ) upon the subject of my communication , on €€ the Introduction of Evil /* in your
Number for July last , ( pp . 378—380 , ) I beg leave to state , that he is mistaken in supposing that in proposing my hypothesis , which asserts that evil is the necessary inheritance of all created intelligences , and that every being not infinite must be liable to error and evil , I had not " foreseen
or provided for a consequence of the greatest magnitude , " which results from it ( i . e . ) the existence of evil in heaven itself . The fact is , that I had in the original composition comprising this hypothesis both foreseen and asserted this inference , and in the
conclusion of my letter to you on this subject I gave an intimation , that " there were some other inferences drawn from the foregoing hypothesis which I did not think necessary to set forth , " and the necessary existence of evil in a future state formed one of
these suppressed inferences : my reason for suppressing which , was the fear that it might shock minds unused to metaphysical inquiries , and thus with many other novel truths do injury upon its first promulgation , although I am fully persuaded that
every truth , however shocking to existing prejudices , must eventually produce good . I did not , however , wish to risk the production even of temporary injury , if it could be avoided ; but our worthy friend having now forced this inference to come
unwilhngly from its concealment , I will give it in the words in wliich it stands m the original composition , and shall fearlessly enter on its justification , ? s I am not in the habit of shrinklng from any conclusion whatever to winch truth appears to lead ( L c . ) : 4 thly . * The foregoing hypothesis
Another of these suppressed incrences proves , that the universe must cre t S 8 anly have bownds > because it is a oni v ' evei T creature can possess snnL ] " ? lted attributes ; and corrects of ? n ph ' loso P hicai expressions arid modes thi «« r ' by 8 hew *» g that though many ceo S SUrp ass our ******<* and cod j * uon , nothing caD possibly be infinite
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shews' that' though the perfection , of the righteous in a future state may Ire far more exalted thaa perhaps even the highest created intelligence can now possibl y conceive , yet must it fall short or infinite , perfection , which belongs alone to God ; since
the attributes of created intelligences can never become infinite by future glorification , though thereby they will doubtless be matured and improved far beyond all present calculation or conception . Some small degree of alloy must be admitted , since it is
contrary to the hypothesis upon which these inferences are drawn , that anycreated intelligence can exist without some portion of evil ; although the portion of evil which may then be necessary by its counteraction to
produce pleasure , may be so almost infinitely refined , as not at present to be capable of conception , as distinct from purity and bliss : and thus constitute the highest happiness of which created beings can possibly be susceptible /'
Mr . Eaton ' s feelings are alarmed , as I confess mine were , when this last inference first aros § , in my mind , at the thought of casting' " a doubt upon the unmlwed happiness promised to the righteous \ " but if that
gentleman will keep strictly in view the principle on which my hypothesis founds the existence of happiness , and "justifies the ways of God to man , " in the unavoidable existence
of evil , he will find that his objection will cease ; since it will appear ' that not only all creation , but that all
happiness , is necessarily inseparable from evil ; that evil is alike essential to the production of both ; that pleasure could not possibly exist without its contrast— -pain and anxiety ; that it is indeed their legitimate offspring ;
and that it is beyond the power of infinity itself to produce it without their agency , in minds constructed with limited attributes ; since to produce happiness ii > such minds , change , fluctuation , counteraction and pursuit , causing th $ sensations of
nleaexcept God . And another of . these inferences substantiates the mechaaical nature of the ^ tipian mind , and the doc * trine of philosophical necessity ; but your usually crowded columns forbid my transcribing them for insertion .
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$ tr . Hiniohon his Hypothesis of MoralEvff * . 52 SF
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"«*• xvrn . 3 Y
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 529, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/33/
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