"of her want did caft in all that fhe had, even "all her living."-A judgment founded not on the outward appearance of things, but on the relations which thefe feveral offerings bore to the real circumstances of the donors, and the motives from which they acted. A fimilar decision is given, 2 Cor. viii. 12. where the apoftle declares, that, "if there be firft a willing mind, it is accepted "according to that a man hath, and not accord

ing to that he hath not." This too is the plain import of the direction in his first epistle to the Corinthians, chap. xvi. 1. 2. "Now concerning "the collection for the faints, as I have given "order to the churches of Galatia, even fo do ye; upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in ftore, as God has profpered him." By the exhortation immediately following our text, the apostle gives this very account of liberal charity. "Every man "according as he purpofeth in his heart, fo let "him give, not grudgingly, or of neceffity, for "God loveth a cheerful giver." Thus we are taught to eftimate charity by a comparative view of it with our worldly fubftance and our difpofitions. Let not perfons in affluence value themfelves as truly liberal, because upon fome occa

fions they have contributed largely to the fupport of their indigent brethren, but let them inquire whether their charity correfponds to their abundance, and whether even what they give is extorted, or freely and moft cheerfully parted with. Let not these in inferior ftations and circumftances think themfelves excufed from this duty, as being, in their own opinion, incapable of affording any ufeful or decent affiftance to the deftitute and afflicted. But let them remember the widow's mite, as not only accepted, but esteemed by the best judge of the worth of actions, a richer offering than the vaft fums which the rich gave out of their abundance. He who bleffed to the widow of Zarephath her handful of meal and cruife of oil with permanent virtue to nourifh her and her fon, can, in ways unknown to us, and to an extent of ufefulness inconceivable by us, enrich with his bleffing the smalleft offerings. I mean not by this to state an invidious comparison between the rich and the poor, to reduce the value of what is done by the former, and magnify the fervices of the latter; but to show that in either fituation, the character I am defcribing may be, and is in fact most truly and honourably maintained, when it bears a juft proportion to

our worldly stock and profperity, and when we

..

freely give as having freely received." I have joined the ability and inclination to do good, because both must be ferioufly attended to in the proper exercise of charity, to diftinguish it on the one hand from the thoughtless profufion of the prodigal, and, on the other hand, from the niggardly pittance of the mifer. The former, by ignorance of, or inattention to his proper funds, may inconfiderately throw away what is not his own; he may thus feed the poor, and feed his own vanity, but what is given at the expence of others, is not charity; it is gross injuftice. This folly and iniquity, however, can never justify the penurious, covetous, mean-fpirited wretch, who cannot admit a thought or care beyond himself and his coffer. Wrapt up in unceasing attention to his ufelefs wealth, he never believes himself able, because he never feels himself willing to relieve the neceffities of others. How different, how fuperior to both these characters, is the man who knows what he can give, and has a heart to bestow?-Who, in the confcious poffeffion of riches, values them only as the means of usefulnefs-receives and employs them as a facred trust from the great Lord and Pro

prictor of all, and who, as his grateful and faithful fteward, honours him with his fubftance. This is a man of an excellent, open, liberal fpirit." He looks not to his own things, but to "the things of others. He is not high-minded, "but condefcends to them of low eftate. He "trufts not in uncertain riches, but in the liv

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ing God, who giveth us all things richly to

enjoy," and he therefore lays them out for his glory, and the good of his fellow-creatures. "He is rich in good works, ready to diftribute,

willing to communicate." This cheerful liberality is not the effect of a great effort, produced by the violence of public demand, or the refiftlefs cry of mifery forcing attention, but it is the refult of the prevailing direction of his mind. Like that God who is the object of his fupreme affection, he waits to be gracious, and delights in fhowing mercy; "he devifeth liberal "things; he giveth liberally, and upbraidethnot." Like the benevolent and the beneficent Saviour, he is ready to feize every opportunity of fhowing kindness, and goes about doing good. He may not have filver or gold, to put into the hands of the poor and helplefs, but he does not therefore hut up his bowels of compaffion from them.

Whatever is in his power to give, he gives without reluctance. If he cannot relieve them, he feels for them and weeps with them. A mind fo willing never fails to find opportunities of doing good, and when they occur, he eagerly embraces them. The objections and apologies which fatisfy others, are, in his mind, quickly repelled, and yield at once to the more perfuafive power of fympathy and love.

IN the third place, true liberal charity is wifely divided amongst many, and proportioned to the objects upon which it acts. It is not, it cannot be confined to near relations, intimate friends, or particular favourites. Thefe it will never neglect; nay, to these its first attentions are naturally directed. But whatever may be its partialities to those immediately connected with us, or who love and resemble us, it cannot remain under thefe reftrictions. The principle which gave it birth, extends its influence in every poffible direction. The objects which folicit the friendly aid of charity, are many and various. Here we find the afflicted body, there the grieved mind. Here a mourning defolate widow-there deftitute orphans.-Per