And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
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Interlinear Gloss
AD 1480
Well is it said, "he slept," and not "he died," because he offered the sacrifice of love, and slept in the hope of the resurrection. Saints do not die, since they are changed into something better, and the temporal life is changed into the eternal.
This is meant to show them that he is not perishing, and to teach them. And he knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
Thus first Stephen, pressing on His footsteps, suffered martyrdom, being apprehended in Jerusalem by the transgressors, and being brought before the council, he was stoned, and glorified for the name of Christ, praying with the words, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."
Although they were none other than his human knees.
, and ceases not to speak concerning the Lord; Stephen is stoned, and prays for pardon to his foes.
