For in that sense is he said to be ready to judge the quick and the dead, where by the quick and the dead the faithfull are most properly understood, as appeares by verse 6.
Reason 1. Because God alwayes lives, and his word and covenant lives.
2. Because it stands upon Gods glory, to defend the cause also of his servants that are dead, and to revenge their injuries.
3. Because oftentimes the iniquity of the wicked is not come to its full measure, before the death of Gods children whom they have vexed.
Vse 1. This may serve to comfort us, as well in life as in death.
2. To admonish us not to judge rashly of Gods wayes in his patience and long-suffering; but to compose our mindes to a patient waiting for the wished event.
Doctrine 10. The condition of the faithfull now living, and of those that lived heretofore in all ages, is wholly alike, as touching the substance of it.
This is gathered from verse 6. compared with the verse fore-going.
Reason. Because God is the same, & faith is the same; & on the contrary side also, the devill and the world are like themselves.
Vse. This may serve to direct us, not to give way to too much complaining of the present age, as if there had never beene the like before; but couragiously to go forward in doing our duty, that we may do that in our times according to our ability, which other faithfull men did in their time; who as it is said of David, Acts 13.36. after they had in their age served the will of God, fell on sleepe in the Lord.