Fifthly, What are THE PROPORTIONS of Christian liberality? The principles already established will go far to decide this important inquiry; and have therefore been broadly stated, and have occupied so much of your time. But specific directions will be expected, and may be necessary. They must be plain, in order to be understood; short, in order to be remembered; and scriptural, in order to possess due weight.—It is of little consequence what human opinion is upon a point so important—We are expressly bound by the law of that Being at whose bar we are to be finally judged. If I produce his requisitions—I presume no man will dare to question their authority—The rules laid down in the word of God, are these— 1. _Ability_—really and honestly estimated by a man’s own conscience. Thus Jesus applauded Mary!—“She hath done what she could.” The question—What can I afford?—is answered differently, under different circumstances. If a man is disposed to build a house—to enlarge his establishment—to extend his connexions—to increase his business—he feels no difficulty in answering this inquiry. He is apt to calculate even beyond his means; and he is certain not to fall short of them. But if the same question be put relative to any cause of religion, or humanity, his perplexities instantly commence. Then, he is doubtful of his resources—then, his calculations become contracted—then, he measures his duties by the standard of others, rather than by his own capacities—then, he is anxious to ascertain how little he may do, and yet preserve his character.—Nothing can more decidedly settle this point, than the indisputable fact—that of all the great societies formed for the furtherance of religious knowledge, and moral improvement, there is not one whose funds are not more dependent upon the contributions of the lower classes of life than upon the rich and the noble. Look at the proportions of those contributions—and decide for yourselves. The poor have but little to give—they are therefore under the full force of the principle of doing what they can—the rich are content to shake the superfluities of their prosperity over a Christian cause—and sometimes reluctantly grant even these.—But the final estimate will be made according to a man’s ability: he will be judged not merely by what he has done, but by what he might have done; and he must abide all the consequences.