Sentence:  But , as Scripture everywhere reminds us , God does have need of his creatures , and the church , a fortiori , can <WSD>ill</WSD> afford to do without the talents with which the world , by God 's providence , presents it . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well