John Trapp on John 21:19

Verſe 19. By what death he ſhould glorifie God] Martyrdom is the loweſt ſubjection that can be to God, but the higheſt honour. Verè 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 bloud. 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 faſtned to him as to a ſtake to be burned at, this is the greateſt honour we can doe him upon earth. This is to magnifie Chriſt, as Paul did, Phil. 1.20. to follow Chriſt cloſe at heels, as Peter did here, who alſo had the manner of his death fore-told him, 2 Pet. 1.14. As had likewiſe Biſhop Hooper, Act. and Mon. fol. 1366. when he had given him for his Arms, a Lamb in a fiery buſh, and the Sun-beams from heaven deſcending down upon the Lamb, righty purporting by what death he ſhould glorifie God.