How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition by Edwin Abbott Abbott, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . BISHOP BUTLER here BISHOP BUTLER. The principal faults in this style are ( ) a vague use of pronouns (5), and sometimes ( ) the use of a phrase, where a word would be enough (47 ). a b a ORIGINAL VERSION. PARALLEL VERSION. Some persons, (15) , avowedly incredible and necessarily reject all revelation as, fictitious, on the ground that the (47 ) , light of Nature is in itself incredible, (47 ) sufficient. And assuredly, had the . And indeed light of Nature been sufficient in (32) it is certain that no such a sense as to render revelation would have been given, revelation needless or useless, no (32) had the light of Nature been revelation would ever have been sufficient in such a sense as to given. But let any man consider render (5) not[35] wanting, the spiritual darkness that once or useless. But no (15 ) man in (41) prevailed in the heathen seriousness and simplicity can world before revelation, and that possibly think (5) , who (41) still prevails in those considers the state of religion in regions that have not yet received the heathen world before the light of revealed truth; above revelation, and (5) present all, let him mark not merely the state in those (11) (8) natural inattention and ignorance have borrowed no light of the masses, but also the from (5) it; particularly (19) the doubtful language held even by a doubtfulness of some of the (12) Socrates on even so vital a greatest men concerning (11) , as the soul; and then can he in well as the (15 ) . It is (34) sufficient? impossible to say (12) who would have been able to have reasoned It is of course impossible to deny out that whole system which we that some second[36] Aristotle call natural religion, (30) in its might have reasoned out, in its genuine simplicity, clear of genuine simplicity and without superstition; but there is a touch of superstition, the certainly no ground to affirm whole of that system which we that the generality could. call natural religion. But there (44) If they could, there is is certainly no ground for no sort of probability that affirming that this complicated they would. (44) Admitting there process would have been possible were, they would highly want a for ordinary men. Even if they had standing admonition to remind them had the power, there is no of (5) , and inculcate it upon probability that they would have them. And further still, were (5) had the inclination; and, even if as much (47 ) we admit the probable inclination, religion as the they would still need some better sort of men (15 ) ; standing admonition, whereby yet, even upon this supposition, natural religion might be there would be various occasions suggested and inculcated. Still for supernatural instruction and further, even if we suppose these assistance, (50) (15 ) (5) yet even then there would be . So that, to say revelation various occasions when is a thing superfluous, (47 ) , assistance might be most and (47 ) , is, I think, to talk wildly and at random. Nor would it Therefore, to call revelation be more extravagant to affirm that superfluous, needless, and (40 ) is so entirely useless, is, in my opinion, to (40 ) in the present talk wildly and at random. A man state, and (40 ) might as reasonably assert that we completely (40 ) , that are so entirely at ease and so (5) is a contradiction to completely happy in this present suppose (40 ) our condition life that our condition cannot capable of without contradiction be supposed (47 ) .—( , part ii. chap. 1.) improved. upon Some persons avowedly reject all pretence[33] of the sufficiency of revelation as[34]essentially the light of Nature in its a very notion and what a must be fictitious one b it so its places which things of subject as[36] the immortality of the utmost importance a natural seriousness and sincerity maintain inattention and ignorance of that the light of Nature is mankind in general it they disposed a to attend to a are and the greatest ordinary men to be as attentive to advantages might be religion as men of a better sort, afforded a by them what supernatural instruction and there a was no need of what can be of a no beneficially bestowed. service a mankind a at ease a life so a happy it a being in any respect a better Analogy of capable of being in any way Religion FOOTNOTES: [33] "To pretend" once meant "to put forward," "maintain." [34] It has been suggested, however, that by "in its very notion incredible," is meant "inconceivable." [35] "Wanting" is used for modern "wanted." [36] This use of the particular for the general would be out of place in Butler's style, but it adds clearness. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Edwin Abbott Abbott (2007). How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22600/pg22600.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

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