OF GOODNESS, AND GOODNESS OF NATURE.  Z^
 

XIII.

OF GOODNESS, AND GOODNESS OF

NA TURE.

I TAKE goodness in this sense, the affecting of the
weal of men, which is that the Grecians call Philan-
thropla ; and the word humanity, as it is used, is a
little too light to express it. Goodness I call the habit,
and goodness of nature the inclination. This of all
virtues and dignities of the mind is the greatest^
being the character of the Deity; and, without it,
man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing, no
better than z. kind of vermin. Goodness answers to
the theological virtue charity, and admits no excess
but error. The desire of power in excess caused the
angels to fall ; the desire of knowledge in excess
caused man to fall ; but in charity there is no
excess, neither can angel or man come in danger by
it. The inclination to goodness is imprinted deeply
in the nature of man, insomuch that if it issue not
towards men, it will take unto other living creatures ;