Note 145 — First Part. (continued 10)

To go without delay to heaven, to Christ, may fitly be understood as having reference to the commending of their souls into the hands of Christ; as is stated of the holy martyr Stephen, namely, that he saw the heavens opened, and Christ standing on the right hand of God; to whom, in his extremity, he commended his soul, saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59,60.