Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will
of
God
This is the conclusion made from the foregoing premises; that
seeing the state and condition of the saints in this world, at
worst, and which is but for a time, is infinitely preferable to
the dreadful state and condition of disobedient persons, ungodly
men, and sinners, and which will endure to all eternity; they
should not think strange of their sufferings, or complain of
them, but patiently endure them; and especially when they
consider that these are not the effects of chance, or merely
owing to the malice and wickedness of men, or to any second cause
only; but they are the will of God, are by his appointment, under
his direction, and by his order, and for their good, and his own
glory; and therefore it becomes them to
commit the keeping of their souls [to him], in well doing,
as unto a
faithful Creator:
and which is not only their duty, but their privilege: and the
sense is, that when they are called to suffer for Christ, they
should commit their cause to God, who, as he is the Creator, is
the Governor of the universe, and will judge righteously; and
when they are even called to lay down their lives for his sake,
they shall not lose them; though their bodies are killed, they
may and should commit their souls, when departing from their
bodies, into the hands of God; as Stephen, the first martyr,
committed his into the hands of Christ, in imitation of him;
where he that made them, as he is able to keep them, will
faithfully preserve them in happiness and glory, till the
resurrection morn, when their bodies shall be raised and reunited
to them: and this is to be performed, in "well doing"; for which
they suffer, and in which they should continue to the last; not
rendering evil for evil, but blessing; and in imitation of
Christ, and his servant Stephen, pray for their worst enemies,
and wish them all the good, and do them all the acts of kindness
that lie in their power.