Atos 13

Atos 13

Clarke says that "The happiness (ED: I PREFER "JOY" BECAUSE "HAPPY" CONNOTES THE IDEA THAT IT IS BASED ON WHAT "HAPPENS") of a genuine Christian lies far beyond the reach of earthly disturbances, and is not affected by the changes and chances to which mortal things are exposed. The martyrs were more happy (JOY FILLED) in the flames than their persecutors could be on their beds of down.” Related Resource: John Foxe and the Joy of Suffering by John R. Knott - Sixteenth Century Journal XXVII/3 (1996) (A sobering, fascinating read) - Excerpt below NEAR THE END of his massive Acts and Monuments, John Foxe interrupts an account of the "shameful lives and desperate ends" of persecutors "stricken with God's hand" (8:668) to praise the English Protestant martyrs with whom he contrasts them: Let us now enter the consideration of the blessed martyrs, who although they suffered in their bodies, yet rejoiced they in their spirits, and albeit they were persecuted of men, yet were they comforted of the Lord with such inward joy and peace of conscience, that some, writing to their friends, professed they were never so merry before in all their lives, some leaped for joy, some for triumph would put on their scarfs, some their wedding garments, going to the fire; others kissed the stake, some embraced the faggots, some clapt their hands, some sang psalms; universally they all forgave and prayed for their enemies; no murmuring, no repining was ever heard amongst them. Were continually filled with joy - Were continually filed is in is in the imperfect tense.