Note, 1. Poverty, though many inconveniences to the body attend it, has
often a good effect upon the spirit, for it makes men humble and
submissive, and mortifies their pride. It teaches them to use
entreaties. When necessity forces men to beg it tells them they must
not prescribe or demand, but take what is given them and be thankful.
At the throne of God's grace we are all poor, and must use entreaties,
not answer, but make application, must sue sub forma pauperis--as a
pauper. 2. A prosperous condition, though it has many advantages, has
often this mischief attending it, that it makes men proud, haughty, and
imperious: The rich answers the entreaties of the poor roughly, as
Nabal answered David's messengers with railing. It is a very foolish
humour of some rich men, especially those who have risen from little,
that they think their riches will warrant them to give hard words, and,
even where they not design any rough dealing, that it becomes them to
answer roughly, whereas gentlemen ought to be gentle, Jam. iii. 17.