God is here pleased to interest himself more than one would imagine in
the treatment given to the poor. 1. He reckons himself affronted in the
injuries that are done them. Whosoever he be that wrongs a poor man,
taking advantage against him because he is poor and cannot help
himself, let him know that he puts an affront upon his Maker. God made
him, and gave him his being, the same that is the author of our being;
we have all one Father, one Maker; see how Job considered this, Job
xxxi. 15. God made him poor, and appointed him his lot, so that, if we
deal hardly with any because they are poor, we reflect upon God as
dealing hardly with them in laying them low, that they might be
trampled upon. 2. He reckons himself honoured in the kindnesses that
are done them; he takes them as done to himself, and will show himself
accordingly pleased with them. I was hungry, and you gave me meat.
Those therefore that have any true honour for God will show it by
compassion to the poor, whom he has undertaken in a special manner to
protect and patronise.