less than in our purse. It was in this way that Job exercised this amiable disposition : " Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the poor^ ? " And it is in this way that we also must fulfil the law of Christ^ ]
But more especially should we feel this from a regard for their souls —
[Pious as David was, we can have no doubt but that in his griefs for Saul and Doeg, he had respect to their spiritual, as well as their temporal, condition. And this accounts for the strong feelings expressed in our text. He knew in what a fearful state they would be found, if they should die impeni- tent : and therefore, to obtain for them, if possible, a deliver- ance from such a heavy judgment, he fasted, and prayed, and clothed himself with sackcloth, and pleaded with God in their behalf, just as if they had been his dearest friends or relatives. He forgat all the injuries which they had done him, and were daily heaping upon him, from a persuasion that they did infinitely greater injury to their own souls, than it was possible for them to do to him. The thought of the danger in which they were of perishing for ever, quite overwhelmed liim, so that he was bowed down, and as it were inconsolable, on their ac- count. Now this is precisely the state in which our minds should be towards persons on a bed of sickness, whether they be rich or poor, friends or enemies. Their souls should be precious in our eyes : and we should exercise towards them that very same love which filled the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, " who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich^." Nor let it be thought that this is proper for ministers only, or for those who have nothing else to occupy their time. David was accus- tomed to scenes of blood, and occupied day and night with the laborious duties of a General ; yet he blended the feelings of sympathy and compassion with the intrepidity and ardour of a man of war. In like manner should we, however high our station, or numerous ovxr engagements, find time and inclina- tion for all the offices of christian love.]
That we may be stirred up to such benevolence, let us contemplate,
ITI. The benefit that will accrue from it to our own souls —
Our exertions, however great, may not always prosper in the way we could wish —
[We fear that Saul and Doeg were but little profited by the sympathy of David. And we also may abound in visiting the
a Job XXX. 25. ^ Gal. vi. 2. Rom. xii. 15. c 9 Cor. viii. 9.