See here how men's character and condition are measured and judged of
by their conduct towards their poor neighbours. 1. Those that look upon
them with contempt have here assigned them a bad character, and their
condition will be accordingly: He that despises his neighbour because
he is low in the world, because he is of a mean extraction, rustic
education, and makes but a mean figure, that thinks it below him to
take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him,
and sets him with the dogs of his flock, is a sinner, is guilty of a
sin, is in the way to worse, and shall be dealt with as a sinner;
unhappy is he. 2. Those that look upon them with compassion are here
said to be in a good condition, according to their character: He that
has mercy on the poor, is ready to do all the good offices he can to
him, and thereby puts an honour upon him, happy is he; he does that
which is pleasing to God, which he himself will afterwards reflect upon
with great satisfaction, for which the loins of the poor will bless
him, and which will be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of
the just.