§. 30. Of Compassion wrought by consideration of the common condition of all.
THe literal acception of this phrase, As being your selves also in the body, doth shew, that that common condition whereunto all are subject, should work compassion towards them which are in any adversity; in that we our selves are al∣so in the body, and are of such a constitution, as others are, subject to the like adversity. This doth the Apostle thus presse, Restore such an one is fallen in the spirit of meeknesse, considering thy self, lest thou also be tempted, Gal. 6. 1. This is that thing which Iob aims at, where he saith to his friends, If your soul were in my souls stead, I would strengthen you with my mouth, Job 16. 4, 5. Hereby he intimates to his friends that they might be in such a case as he was. 'Tis oft pressed upon the Israe∣lites, that they should remember that they were servants in the Land of Aegypt, and that thereupon they should shew mercy to servants, Deut. 5. 14, 15. And that they should not oppresse a stranger, because they were strangers in Egypt, Exod. 23. 9. God made men subject to like infirmiti•…•…s that other are, to be Priests, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might have compassion on the ignorant, Heb. 5. 2. Yea Christ himself took on him not only the nature of our infirmities, but also the infirmities of our nature, that he might be a mercifull High-priest, Heb. 2. 17. & 4. 15.
- 1. The common condition of mankinde makes a man more sensible of others mi∣series; and that by experience of his own.
- 2. It convinceth him of that need wherein he himself may stand of others help. For thereby he knows that his own state is alterable, and that he may be afflicted and distressed, as now he seeth another is, who is of the same mould and temper; of the same profession; who hath the same enemies; and is subject to the same temptations. Hard-hearted men who are no whit moved at the cases of such as are in distress, do little think that they themselves also are in the body; that they are subject to such distresses. They provoke God to bring them to the like, or to a worse distress; and to harden the hearts of others against them; that by experi∣ence they may learn how ill it becometh him that is in the body to be unmercifull to them that are in distresse. Severe and just judgement against such, is thus de∣nounced, He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy, Iames 2. 13.
But what may be thought of them who having been in the same distresse where∣in they see others to •…•…e, have no bowels of compassion, nor any wayes afford any succour, or comfort unto them? This was it for which N•…•…hemiah was very angry at the Nobles and Rulers of Iudah, that being themselves redeemed from slavery, did sell their brethren, Neh. 5. 6, 7, 8. Because the children of Israel had been freed out of the Land of Egypt, where they were in bondage, in memorial thereof, God ordained a Law that such Israelites as had been sold unto any of their brethren, should in the seventh year go out free, Deut. 15. 12, &c. Now because in Zedekiahs time they did not shew this mercy to their servants, God threatned to give them into the hand of their enemies, Ier. 34. 20. The servant that had a debt of ten thousand talents forgiven him, because he forgave not his fellow servant a debt of an hundred pence, was delivered to the tormentors, Matth. 18. 24, &c. Learn we therefore to be otherwise minded.