i n 0 GENERAL BENEVOLENCE. 
Thus far Mr. pope ; and thefe lines feem very prettily and philo- 
fophically to correct the vulgar notion concerning the mean- 
nefs of human nature, with regard to our doing nothing but 
with a view to our own interest. It is true, virtue will certain- 
ly be rewarded, but the interefl which extends to a claim of the 
rewards of virtue after death, has, humanly fpeaking, no mix- 
ture of malignity in it. On the contrary, the wifdom of god 
is demonflrated in the amazing order and deflgn in which the 
happinefs of his creatures here, coincides with their felicity in a 
future ftate. 
I have fomewhere met, I believe it is in Mr. pope’s thoughts,, 
a ftrong recommendation of charity, to this efledt : c< I believe,” 
fays the author, u that no man will be faved without charity, 
and no man damned with it.” Not to enter into the merits of 
this opinion, we have an indubitable authority, in the words of 
a better author, st. paul, for the true properties of this cardi- 
nal virtue, which leads men, as far as they can go, in the 
imitation of their maker. What was the bufinefs of our sa- 
vior upon the earth, but one uninterrupted feene of charity T 
“ He went about doing good Such was his tendernefs, he 
was often feen to weep for the miferies which vice and folly 
had introduced into the world. He told the women of Jeru- 
salem, to weep for themselves and for their children ; but 
his tears alfo flowed for them. 
Tho’ the god fhined forth in glory, when he raifed lazarus 
from the dead ; yet as a man he appeared adorably amiable, 
when he fympathized with his relations and friends. His com- 
2 passion 
