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§. 24. Of remembring others affliction.
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them, and them which suf∣fer adversity, as being your selves also in the body.
ANother exemplification of that general grace of brotherly-love, is compassion towards such as are in affliction.
Before this the Apostle premiseth such an item as he did before the former vers. 2. Onely that was negative, Forget not: This affirmative [remem∣ber.] Both import one and the same thing. See §. 12. & 90. See also Chap. 2. §. 55.
The word here [a 1.1 remember] comprizeth under it all kindes of duties that are to be performed to such as are in any affliction; as to pray for them, to visit them, to comfort and encourage them, to relieve them, to do what we can for their ease, release and liberty, to stir up others to do them good.
This word remember is here the more fitly used, in that remembrance of ones misery, stirs up bowels of compassion, and puts men on to afford all manner of succour.
This is laid down as the ground of the compassion which God sheweth, where it is said, That God had compassion of his people; The ground thereof is thus set down, For he remembred that they were but flesh, Psal. 78. 38, 39. And again, The Lord piti∣eth them that fear him; for he remembreth that we are dust, Psal. 103. 13, 14. This is spoken of God after the manner of man.
On this ground Saints call on God to remember them, O remember that my life is winde, Job 7. 7. Remember that thou hast made me as the clay, Job 10. 9. Lord, re∣member David and all his afflictions, Psal. 132. 1. This is most properly true of man, when the Israelites remembred Zion in her affliction, then they prayed for her, Ps. 137. 1, &c. Lam. 3. 19, 20. Hereupon the Apostle being in prison cals upon those to whom he wrote to remember his bonds, Col. 4. 18.
Remembrance of a thing brings to our minde an Idea thereof, and doth set be∣fore us a kinde of present view, and sight thereof; which cannot but work upon the affection, and cause compassion. Titus his inward affection was the more abundant towards the Corinthians, whilst he remembred them, 2 Cor. 7. 15. Re∣membrance of a case causeth a more serious consideration thereof. But that which is not remembred, is, as not known, and so not heeded nor regarded* 1.2 at all.
Surely this shews a main reason of mens neglect of such as are in any distresse, and so remain in places, whether they who neglect them use not to come. Though, it may be, they formerly knew or heard that they were in such and such distresses: yet not remembring that they are so, they clean neglect them, Out of sight out of minde: Hence it comes to passe that clamorous and impudent beggars, who put men in minde of their miserable cases (though perhaps meerly feigned) get more relief then such as are imprisoned, or otherwise more miserably afflicted, but out of sight.
It doth without question become Christians to be mindefull of such as they have formerly known to be in any distresse. For this end they ought
- 1 To be inquisitive after the state and cases of such as they have cause to fear or surmise that they are in any distresse. When Hanani came from Iudah to the place where Nehemiah was, Nehemiah was inquisitive concerning the Iews that had escaped which were left of the Captivity, Nehem. 1. 2. And being infor∣med of their great misery, he put himself on to do the good that he did for them.
- 2. To visit such as they hear to be sick, in prison or any other like distresse. This is commended in Onesiphorus, 2 Tim. 1. 16, 17.
- 3. Oft to relieve those that are in distresse. Not to think it enough that they have once relieved them; if at least they long continue in their distresse. Frequent doing of a thing will keep the occasion of it in minde and memory. Paul commen∣deth the Philippians, that they had sent once and again unto his necessity, Phil. 4. 16.