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.