Coffers than ourſelves; to ſave ſeveral Families from Miſery rather than hang up an extraordinary Picture in our Houſes, or gratify any other idle, ridiculous Vanity, this ſeems to be only being Chriſtians, nay indeed, only being human Creatures. Nay, I will venture to go farther, it is being in ſome degree Epicures: For what could the greateſt Epicure wiſh rather than to eat with many Mouths inſtead of one; which I think may be predicated of any one who knows that the Bread of many is owing to his own Largeſſes.
‘As to the Apprehenſion of beſtowing Bounty on ſuch as may hereafter prove unworthy Objects, becauſe many have proved ſuch; ſurely it can never deter a good Man from Generoſity: I do not think a few or many Examples of Ingratitude can juſtify a Man’s hardening his Heart againſt the Diſtreſſes of his Fellow-Creatures; nor do I believe it can ever have ſuch Effect on a truly benevolent Mind. Nothing leſs than a Perſuaſion of univerſal Depravity can lock up the Charity of a good Man; and this Perſuaſion muſt lead him, I think, either into Atheiſm, or Enthuſiaſm; but ſurely‘it
