death will be to us only as reclining on a bed to sleep. Stephen, with this grace in his heart, and this prayer upon his lips, " fell asleep."]
Here then let the world judge ;
1. Whether there be not an excellency in true religion ?
[We acknowledge that many heathens have shewn a wonderful composure in death, yea, and a joyous exultation in it also : but then they have been borne up by pride and vanity, and the hope of man's applause : no instance ever occurred of such an end as Stephen's, except among the worshippers of Jehovah. Nothing but divine grace can give such meekness and fortitude, such faith and love, such tranquillity and joy, as Stephen manifested in that trying hour. On the other hand, divine grace will produce these things wherever it reigns in the soul : in proportion to the measure of any man's grace will be his proficiency in these virtues. Compare then the spiritual man with one who is yet under the influence of his corrupt nature ; compare, for instance, the mind of Paul after his con- version to the faith of Christ, with its state whilst he was keeping the raiment of Stephen's murderers. Such a com- parison would in one instant convince us, that there is a wonderful efficacy in the Gospel of Christ, and that a person under its full influence is as superior to others as the solar light is to the twinkling of the obscurest star.]
2. Whether the true Christian be not the happiest man ?
[On the one side are proud and persecuting zealots ; on the other are the meek followers of a crucified Saviour. Look at the frame of their minds ; the one all rage and violence ; the other all sweetness and composure. Let any man, with the Bible in his hand, survey that scene which we have just con- templated ; and say, Whether he would not infinitely prefer the state of Stephen with all his sufferings, to that of his per- secutors satiated with his blood? A man through cowardice may draw back from sufferings ; but no man can doubt which of these parties was in the more enviable state : and how much less could he doubt it if he were to survey them in their present state ; the one exulting in his Saviour's bosom, and the other receiving the just recompence of their sins ? O let all, whether oppressors or oppressed, contemplate this, and then make their election, " Whose they will be, and whom they will serve."]