When the Jews went to stone Stephen, they laid their clothes down at a distance from the place, at a young mans feet, whose name was Saul, that they might not be a cumber, or a trouble to them, as to their intended work. So we, when we go about to drive sin out of the world, in a way of suffering for Gods truth against it, we should lay down our souls at the feet of God to care for, that we may not be cumbered with the care of them our ⟨p. 33⟩selves: also that our care of Gods truth may not be weakened, by such sudden and strong doubts, as will cause us faintingly to say, but what will become of my soul? When Paul had told his Son Timothy, that he had been before that Lyon Nero, and that he was at present delivered out of his mouth: he adds, And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. He shall, and will: here is a man at liberty, here are no cumbersome fears. But how came the Apostle by this confidence of his well-being, and of his share in another world? Why, he had committed the keeping of his soul to God; (compare 2 Tim. 1.12. with chap. 4.18.) For to commit the keeping of the soul to God, if it be done in faith and prayer, it leaves, or rather brings this holy boldness, and confidence into the soul. Suppose a man in the Country were necessitated to go to London, and had a great charge of money to pay in there. Suppose also, that the way thither was become ⟨p. 34⟩exceeding dangerous because of the high-way-men that continually abide therein: what now must this man do to go on his Journey cheerfully? Why, let him pay in his money to such a one in the Country as will be sure to return it for him at London safely. Why, this is the case, thou art bound for Heaven, but the way thither is dangerous. It is beset every where with evil Angels, who would rob thee of thy Soul. What now? Why, if thou wouldest go cheerfully on in thy dangerous Journey, commit thy treasure, thy Soul to God to keep. And then thou mayest say with comfort, well, that care is over. For whatever I meet with in my way thither, my Soul is safe enough: the Thieves if they meet me, can't come at that; I know to whom I have committed my Soul, and I am persuaded, that he will keep that to my joy and everlasting comfort against the great day.
When the Jews went to stone Stephen, they laid their clothes down at a distance from the place, at a young mans feet, whose name was Saul, that they might not be a cumber, or a trouble to them, as to their intended work. So we, when we go about to drive sin out of the world, in a way of suffering for Gods truth against it, we should lay down our souls at the feet of God to care for, that we may not be cumbered with the care of them our ⟨p. 33⟩selves: also that our care of Gods truth may not be weakned, by such sudden and strong doubts, as will cause us faintingly to say, but what will become of my soul? When Paul had told his Son Timothy, that he had been before that Lyon Nero, and that he was at present delivered out of his mouth: he adds, And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. He shall, and will: here is a man at liberty, here are no cumbersome fears. But how came the Apostle by this confidence of his well-being, and of his share in another world? Why, he had committed the keeping of his soul to God; (compare 2 Tim. 1.12. with chap. 4.18.) For to commit the keeping of the soul to God, if it be done in faith and prayer, it leaves, or rather brings this holy boldness, and confidence into the soul. Suppose a man in the Country were necessitated to go to London, and had a great charge of money to pay in there. Suppose also, that the way thither was become ⟨p. 34⟩exceeding dangerous because of the high-way-men that continually abide therein: what now must this man do to go on his Journey chearfully? Why, let him pay in his money to such a one in the Country as will be sure to return it for him at London safely. Why, this is the case, thou art bound for Heaven, but the way thither is dangerous. It is beset every where with evil Angels, who would rob thee of thy Soul. What now? Why, if thou wouldest go chearfully on in thy dangerous Journey, commit thy treasure, thy Soul to God to keep. And then thou mayest say with comfort, well, that care is over. For whatever I meet with in my way thither, my Soul is safe enough: the Thieves if they meet me, can't come at that; I know to whom I have committed my Soul, and I am perswaded, that he will keep that to my joy and everlasting comfort against the great day.
