Then he was able, ignorant and unlearned man as he was, to
stand up before the high priests and rulers of his nation, and to say,
simply and firmly, without boasting, without defiance, "Whether it be
right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge
ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Yes, my friends, it is the courage which comes by faith which makes truly
brave men,--men like St Peter and St John. He who can say, I am right,
can say likewise, God is on my side, and I will not fear what man can do
to me.
"We will not fear," said the Psalmist, "though the earth be removed, and
though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea." "The just man,
who holds firm to his purpose," says a wise old heathen, "he will not be
shaken from his solid mind by the rage of the mob bidding him do base
things or the frowns of the tyrant who persecutes him. Though the world
were to crumble to pieces round him, its ruins would strike him without
making him tremble." "Whether it be right," said Peter and John to the
great men and judges of the Jews, "to hearken to God more than to you,
judge ye.
Pages:
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220