ded in the animal or
rational part of our nature; in a word, whether it be such as is entitled
to any other reward besides that secret satisfaction and contentment of
mind which is essential to it, and the kind reception it procures us in
the world, we must examine it by the following rules:

First, whether it acts with steadiness and uniformity in sickness and in
health, in prosperity and in adversity; if otherwise, it is to be looked
upon as nothing else but an irradiation of the mind from some new supply
of spirits, or a more kindly circulation of the blood. Sir Francis Bacon
mentions a cunning solicitor, who would never ask a favour of a great man
before dinner; but took care to prefer his petition at a time when the
party petitioned had his mind free from care, and his appetites in good
humour. Such a transient temporary good-nature as this, is not that
philanthropy, that love of mankind, which deserves the title of a moral
virtue.

The next way of a man's bringing his good-nature to the test is to
consider whether it operates according to the rules of reason and duty:
for if, notwithstanding its general benevolence to mankind, it makes no
distinction between its objects; if it exerts itself promiscuously
towards the deserving and the undeserving; if it relieves alike the idle
and the indigent; if it gives itself up to the first petitioner, and
lights upon any one rather by accident than choice--it may pass for an
amiable instinct, but must not assume the name of a moral virtue.

The third trial of good-nature will be the examining ourselves whether or
no we are able to exert it to our own disadvantage, and employ it on
proper objects, notwithstanding any little pain, want, or inconvenience,
which may arise to ourselves from it: in a word, whether we are willing
to risk any part of our fortune, our reputation, our health or ease, for
the benefit of mankind. Among all these expressions of good nature, I
shall single out that which goes under the general name of charity, as it
consists in relieving the indigent: that being a trial of this kind which
offers itself to us almost at all times and in every place.

I should propose it as a rule, to every one who is provided with any
competency of fortune more than sufficient for the necessaries of life,
to lay aside a certain portion of his income for the use of the poor.
This I would look upon as an offering to Him who has a right to the
whole, for the use of those