We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
We cannot but speak what we know to be true.
It was that courage which enabled our forefathers,--and not the great men
among them, not the rich, not even the learned, save a few valiant
bishops and clergy, but for the most part poor, unlearned, labouring men
and women,--to throw off the yoke of Popery, and say, "Reason and
Scripture tell us that it is absurd and wrong to worship images and pray
to saints,--tell us that your doctrines are not true. And we will say so
in spite of the Pope and all his power,--in spite of torture and a fiery
death. We cannot palter; we cannot dissemble; we cannot shelter
ourselves under half-truths, and make a covenant with lies. 'Whether it
be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than to God, judge
ye. We cannot but speak the things which we know to be true.'"
So it has been in all ages, and so it will be for ever. Faith, the
certainty that a man is right, will give him a courage which will enable
him to resist, if need be, the rich ones, the strong ones, the learned
ones of the earth.
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