often on the Undeſerving, as you muſt own was your Caſe in your Bounty to that worthleſs Fellow Partridge: For two or three ſuch Examples muſt greatly leſſen the inward Satisfaction, which a good Man would otherwiſe find in Generoſity; nay, may even make him timorous in beſtowing, leſt he ſhould be guilty of ſupporting Vice, and encouraging the Wicked; a Crime of a very black Dye, and for which it will by no means be a ſufficient Excuſe, that we have not actually intended ſuch an Encouragement; unleſs we have uſed the utmoſt Caution in chuſing the Objects of our Beneficence. A Conſideration which, I make no Doubt, hath greatly checked the Liberality of many a worthy and pious Man.’
Mr. Allworthy anſwered, ‘He could not diſpute with the Captain in the Greek Language, and therefore could ſay nothing as to the true Senſe of the Word, which is tranſlated Charity; but that he had always thought it was interpreted to conſiſt in Action, and that giving Alms conſtituted at leaſt one Branch of that Virtue.’
‘As
