Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 5:12

12 Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Be so far from being troubled, as to count it all Ioy, when you fall into these Tryals, Iames 1.2. Let it be Musick in your Ears, to hear that the Drunkards make you their Song. Rejoyce in your Hearts, express it in your Lips, and Behaviour, for great is your reward, not of Debt but of Grace, for our light and moment Afflictions are not worthy to be compared with an Eternal and exceeding weight of Glory, where there is no Proportion, there can be no Merit: Especially, when it is given to us on the behalf of Christ to suffer, Phil. 1.29. Peter upon this Argument saith, 1 Pet. 4.14. The Spirit of God and of Glory resteth upon us. Our Saviour adds: For so they persecuted the Prophets before you. The Magistrates, and the Rulers of the Iews persecuted Elijah, Micaiah, Ieremiah, Amos and the rest of the Prophets whom you succeed, not in time only, but in the same Office of revealing the mind of God to the People.