_Miranda_ once passed by a house, where the _man_ and his _wife_ were cursing and swearing at one another in a most dreadful manner, and three children crying about them. This sight so much affected her compassionate mind, that she went the next day, and bought the three children, that they might not be ruined by living with such wicked parents. They now live with _Miranda_, are blessed with her care and prayers, and all the good works which she can do for them. They hear her talk, they see her live, they join with her in psalms and prayers. The eldest of them has already converted his parents from their wicked life, and shews a turn of mind so remarkably pious, that _Miranda_ intends him for _holy orders_; that being thus saved himself, he may do to other miserable objects, as she has done to him.
_Miranda_ is a constant relief to poor people in their _misfortunes_ and _accidents_. There are sometimes little misfortunes that happen to them, which of themselves they could never be able to overcome. The death of a _cow_, or a _horse_, or some little _robbery_, would keep them in distress all their lives. She does not suffer them to grieve under such accidents. She immediately gives them the full value of their loss, and makes use of it as a means of raising their minds to God.
She has a great tenderness for _old people_ that are past their labour. The parish allowance to such is seldom a comfortable maintenance. For this reason they are the constant objects of her care. She adds so much to their allowance, as somewhat exceeds the wages they got when they were young. This she does to comfort the infirmities of their age, that, being free from trouble, they may serve God in peace. She has generally a large number of this kind, who, by her charities and exhortations, spend their last days in great piety.
♦9. _Miranda_ never wants compassion, even to common beggars; especially those that are _old_ or _sick_, or that want _eyes_ or _limbs_. She hears their complaints with tenderness, gives them some proof of her kindness, and never rejects them with hard or reproachful language, for fear of adding affliction to her fellow creatures.
♦ Number 8 omitted in text.
If a poor traveller tells her, that he has neither _strength_, nor _food_, nor _money_ left, she never bids him go to the place from whence he came, or tells him, that she cannot relieve him, because he may be a _cheat_, and she does not know him; but she relieves him for that reason, because he is a _stranger_, and _unknown_ to her. For it is the most noble part of charity, to be kind to those whom we never saw before, and perhaps never may see again in this life. _I was a stranger, and ye took me in_, saith our blessed Saviour; but who can perform this duty, that will not relieve persons that are unknown to him?
_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_.