This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Ver. 19. By what death he should glorify God] Martyrdom is the lowest subjection that can be to God, but the highest honour. Vere magnus est Deus Christianorum; The God of the Christians is a great God indeed, said one Calocerius, a heathen, beholding the patient sufferings of the primitive martyrs. Justin Martyr confesseth of himself, that seeing the piety of Christians in their lives and their patience in death, he gathered that that was the truth that they so constantly professed and sealed up with their blood. And of one Adrianus it is reported, that seeing the martyrs suffer such grievous things, he asked the cause; one of them named that text, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," &c. The naming of which words and seeing of such sufferings, so converted him, that afterwards he became a martyr. To account Christ precious as a tree of life, though we be fastened to him as to a stake to be burned at, this is the greatest honour we can do him upon earth. This is to magnify Christ as Paul did, Philippians 1:20; to follow Christ close at heels, as Peter did here, who also had the manner of his death foretold him, 2 Peter 1:14. As had likewise Bishop Hooper, when he had given him for his arms, a lamb in a fiery bush, and the sunbeams from heaven descending down upon the lamb, rightly purporting by what death he should glorify God.