41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.



Ver. 41. Worthy to suffer shame] That they were graced so to be disgraced for Christ, Elegantissimum oxymorum, most elegant oxymoron saith Casaubon. So Php_1:29; "To you it is given (as an honorary) to suffer." Which (saith Father Latimer) is the greatest promotion that God gives in this world. Martyr etiam in catena gaudet, for even a martyr in chains is happy, saith Augustine. Master Glover, martyr, wept for joy of his imprisonment. And God forgive me, said Master Bradford, my unthankfulness for this exceeding great mercy, that among so many thousands he chooseth me to be one in whom he will suffer, &c. The martyrs in Severus the emperor’s days, released for a season, seemed to come e myrotheca non ergastulo, saith Eusebius (v. 2), out of a perfuming house rather than a prison house; merry they were and much cheered, that were so much honoured as to suffer for Christ.