DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0065
a Devout and Holy Life. 63
But the two things which of all others, most want to be under
a strict rule, and which are the greatest blessings both to our-
selves and others, when they are rightly used, are our time, and
our money. These talents are continual means and opportuni-
ties of doing good.
He that is piously strict, and exact in the wise management
of either of these, cannot be long ignorant of the right use of the
other. And he that is happy in the religious care and disposal
of them both, has already ascended several steps upon the ladder
of Christian perfection.
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 everything that God
required of her in the use of them, and how she might make the
best and happiest 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 con-
tinual labour after it. She has but one reason for doing or not
doing, for liking, or not liking anything, and that is, the will of
^od 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
Mirandas fine breeding.
Whilst she was under her mother, she was forced to be
genteel,to live in ceremony, to sit up late at nights, to be in the
tolly ot every fashion, and always visiting on Sundays; to go
patched, and loaded with a burden of finery, to the holy Sacra-
ment ; to be in every polite conversation; to hear profaneness
at the playhouse, 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,
lhe remembrance of this way of life, makes her exceeding
careful to atone for it, by a contrary behaviour.
Miranda does not divide her duty between God, her neigh-
bour, and herself; but she considers all as due to God, and so
does everything in his name, and for his sake. This makes her
consider her fortune, as the gift of God, that is to be used as
everything is, that belongs to God, for the wise and reasonable
ends of a Christian and holy life. Her fortune therefore is
divided betwixt herself, and several other poor People, and she
has only her part of relief horn it. She thinks it the same folly
to indulge herself in needless, vain expenses, as to give to other
People to spend in the same way. Therefore she will not give
But the two things which of all others, most want to be under
a strict rule, and which are the greatest blessings both to our-
selves and others, when they are rightly used, are our time, and
our money. These talents are continual means and opportuni-
ties of doing good.
He that is piously strict, and exact in the wise management
of either of these, cannot be long ignorant of the right use of the
other. And he that is happy in the religious care and disposal
of them both, has already ascended several steps upon the ladder
of Christian perfection.
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 everything that God
required of her in the use of them, and how she might make the
best and happiest 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 con-
tinual labour after it. She has but one reason for doing or not
doing, for liking, or not liking anything, and that is, the will of
^od 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
Mirandas fine breeding.
Whilst she was under her mother, she was forced to be
genteel,to live in ceremony, to sit up late at nights, to be in the
tolly ot every fashion, and always visiting on Sundays; to go
patched, and loaded with a burden of finery, to the holy Sacra-
ment ; to be in every polite conversation; to hear profaneness
at the playhouse, 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,
lhe remembrance of this way of life, makes her exceeding
careful to atone for it, by a contrary behaviour.
Miranda does not divide her duty between God, her neigh-
bour, and herself; but she considers all as due to God, and so
does everything in his name, and for his sake. This makes her
consider her fortune, as the gift of God, that is to be used as
everything is, that belongs to God, for the wise and reasonable
ends of a Christian and holy life. Her fortune therefore is
divided betwixt herself, and several other poor People, and she
has only her part of relief horn it. She thinks it the same folly
to indulge herself in needless, vain expenses, as to give to other
People to spend in the same way. Therefore she will not give