John Trapp on Philippians 1:14

Verſe 14. Are much more hold] This is the fruit of the Saints ſufferings, Eccleſiatotum mundum ſanguine & oratione convertit, ſaith Luther. As the Lilly is increaſed by it's own juice that flows from it: ſo is the Church by it's ſufferings. This cauſed Iulian to ſpare ſome Chriſtians, whom he could have wiſhed out of the world. I thank our Lord God (ſaid B. Ridley in a letter of his to Bradford) that ſince I heard of our dear brother Rogers departing, and ſtout confeſſing of Chriſt and his truth even unto death, my heart, bleſſed be God, rejoyced of it,Act. and Mon. fol. 565. neither ever ſince that time have I felt any lumpiſh heavineſſe, as I grant I have felt ſometimes before. So Bradford in a letter to Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley, priſoners at Oxford, Our dear brother Rogers hath broken the ice valiantly. As this day I thinke hearty Hooper, [illegible: 1 letter]uſty Tailour, Ibid. 1. 8[illegible: 1 letter]. and ſincere Saunders end their courſe and receive their crown. The next am I which hourly look for the Porter to open me the gates after them to enter into the deſired reſt. God forgive me mine unthankfulneſſe for this exceeding great mercy, &c.