1. MIRANDA (the sister of _Flavia_) is a sober, reasonable Christian. As soon as she was mistress of her _time_ and _fortune_, it was her first thought how she might _best fulfil_ every thing that God required of her in the use of them, and make the best use of this short life. She depends upon the truth of what our blessed Lord hath said, _that there is but one thing needful_; and therefore makes her whole life but one continual labour after it. She has but one reason for doing, or not doing, for liking, or not liking any thing; and that is, the _will_ of God. She is not so weak as to pretend to add, what is called the _fine lady_, to the true Christian; _Miranda_ thinks too well, to be taken with the sound of such silly words. She has renounced the world, to follow Christ in the exercise of humility, charity, devotion, abstinence, and heavenly affections; and that is _Miranda_’s fine breeding. Whilst she was under her _mother_, she was forced to live in _ceremony_, to sit up late at _nights_, to be in the folly of every _fashion_, to go loaded with _finery_ to the holy sacrament, to be in every polite _conversation_, to hear prophaneness at the _play-house_, and wanton songs and love-intrigues at the _opera_, to dance at public places, that _fops_ and _rakes_ might admire the fineness of her _shape_, and the _beauty_ of her motions. The remembrance of this way of life, makes her exceeding careful to maintain a contrary behaviour. 2. _Miranda_ does not divide her duty between God, her neighbour, and herself; but she considers all as due to God, and so does every thing for his sake. This makes her consider her _fortune_ as the gift of God, that is to be used, as every thing is that belongs to God, for the wise and reasonable ends of a Christian life. Her fortune therefore is divided betwixt herself and several other poor people, and she has only her part of _relief_ from it. She thinks it the same folly to indulge herself in needless expences, as to give to other people to spend in the same way; therefore, as she will not give a poor man money to go see a _puppet shew_; neither will she allow herself any to spend in the same manner, thinking it very proper to be as _wise_ herself as she expects poor men should be. For is it a folly and a crime in a _poor_ man, says _Miranda_, to waste what is given him in trifles, whilst he wants _meat_, _drink_, and _cloaths_? And is it less folly, or a less crime in me, to spend that money in silly diversions, which might be so much better spent in _imitation_ of the divine goodness, in works of kindness to my fellow-creatures? If a poor man’s own necessities are a reason why he should not waste any of his money idly, surely the necessities of the _poor_, and the _excellency_ of charity, is a much _greater reason_ why no one should waste any of his money. For if he does so, he does not only, like the poor man, waste that which he wants himself; but that which is wanted