James 5:11

Behold, we count them happy which endure.— "Do we look upon them as forsaken of God, because they were persecuted for righteousness' sake? Or will any wise person say, that their sufferings were any token of the divine displeasure?—On the contrary, Behold we applaud such martyrs and confessors, and pronounce those happy, who have bravely endured the greatest injuries which tyrants and persecutors could inflict, rather than part with their integrity." The apostle speaks of this not only as his own judgment, but that of all Christians who judged aright, and understood the nature of things. And it is indeed a judgment in which all Christians should be agreed. The word Μακαριζειν signifies to pronounce or account others blessed; but the Papists, to countenance their practice of beatifying, or making saints in the church, have translated this text,—Behold, we beatify those who have suffered with constancy.