But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Ver. 2. But even after that, &c.] From this to the 13th verse, ministers may as in a mirror see how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God.
We were bold in our God] The Church, as the palm tree, spreadeth and springeth up the more it is oppressed; as the bottle or bladder, that may be dipped, not drowned; as the oak, that sprouts out the thicker from the maims and wounds it receiveth. a This daunted Diocletian, and made him lay down the empire in discontent. This caused Julian the Apostate to leave off force, and use fraud to draw men from the truth.
a Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus.