Miranda considers, that Lazarus was a common beggar; that he was the care of angels, and carried into Abraham’s bosom. She considers, that our blessed Saviour and his apostles were kind to beggars; that they spoke comfortably to them, healed their diseases, and restored eyes and limbs to the blind and lame; that Peter said to the beggar that wanted an alms from him, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Miranda therefore never treats beggars with disregard and aversion; but imitates the kindness of our Saviour and his apostles towards them; and tho’ she cannot, like them, work miracles for their relief, yet she relieves them with that power that she hath; and may say with the apostle, such as I have give I thee, in the name of Jesus Christ.
It may be, says Miranda, that I may often give to those that do not deserve it, or that will make an ill use of my alms. But what then? Is not this the very method of divine goodness? Does not God make his sun to rise on the evil and on the good? Is not this the very goodness that is recommended to us in scripture, that by imitating of it, we may be children of our Father which is in heaven, who sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust? And shall I with-hold a little money or food from my fellow-creature, for fear he should not be good enough to receive it of me? Do I beg of God to deal with me, not according to my merit, but according to his own goodness; and shall I be so absurd, as to with-hold my charity from a poor brother, because he may perhaps not deserve it? Shall I use a measure towards him, which I pray God never to use towards me?
Besides, where has the scripture made merit the rule or measure of charity? On the contrary, the scripture saith, If thy enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.
Now this plainly teaches us, that the merit of persons is to be no rule of our charity, but that we are to do acts of kindness to those that least of all deserve it. For if I am to love and do good to my worst enemies; notwithstanding all their spite and malice, surely merit is no measure of charity. If I am not to with-hold my charity from such bad people, surely I am not to deny alms to poor beggars, whom I do not know to be bad people.
[♦]11. You will perhaps say, that by this means I encourage people to be beggars. But the same thoughtless objection may be made against all kinds of charities, for they may encourage people to depend upon them. The same may be said against forgiving our enemies, for it may encourage people to do us hurt. The same may be said, even against the goodness of God, that by pouring his blessings on the evil and on the good, on the just and on the unjust, evil and unjust men are encouraged in their wicked ways. The same may be said against cloathing the naked, or giving medicines to the sick, for that may encourage people to neglect themselves, and be careless of their health. But when the love of God dwelleth in you, and has filled you with bowels of mercy, you will make no more such objections as these.
[♦] Number 10 omitted in text.
When you are at any time turning away the poor, the old, the sick and helpless traveller, the lame, or the blind, ask yourself this question, Do I sincerely wish these poor creatures may be as happy as Lazarus, that was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom? Do I sincerely desire that God would make them fellow-heirs with me in eternal glory? Now if you search into your soul, you will find that there is none of these motions there, that you are wishing nothing of this. For it is impossible for any one heartily to wish a poor creature so great a happiness, and yet not have a heart to give him a small alms. For this reason, says Miranda, as far as I can, I give to all, because I pray to God to forgive all; and I cannot refuse an alms to those whom I pray God to bless, whom I wish to be partakers of eternal glory; but am glad to shew some degree of love to such, as, I hope, will be the objects of the infinite love of God. And if, as our Saviour has assured us, it be more blessed to give than to receive, we ought to look upon those that ask our alms, as so many friends and benefactors that come to do us a greater good than they can receive; that come to be witnesses of our charity, to be monuments of our love, to appear for us at the day of judgment, and to help us to a blessedness greater than our alms can bestow on them.
12. This is the spirit, and this is the life of Miranda; and if she lives ten years longer, she will have spent sixty hundred pounds in charity; for that which she allows herself, may fairly be reckoned among her alms.
When she dies, she must shine amongst apostles, and saints, and martyrs; she must stand among the first servants of God, and be glorious among those that have fought the good fight, and finished their course with joy.
13. Now this life of Miranda, however contrary to the fashion of the world, is yet suitable to the true spirit of Christianity.