Be fair:  Is the testimony of those acceptable and worthy of attention whose deeds agree with their words, whose outward behaviour conforms with their inner life?  The mind is bewildered at their deeds, and the soul marvelleth at their fortitude and bodily endurance.  Or is the testimony of these faithless souls who breathe naught but the breath of selfish desire, and who lie imprisoned in the cage of their idle fancies, acceptable?  Like the bats of darkness, they lift not their heads from their couch except to pursue the transient things of the world, and find no rest by night except as they labour to advance the aims of their sordid life.  Immersed in their selfish schemes, they are oblivious of the divine Decree.  In the day-time they strive with all their soul after worldly benefits, and in the night-season their sole occupation is to gratify their carnal desires.  By what law or standard could men be justified in cleaving to the denials of such petty-minded souls, and in ignoring the faith of them that have renounced, for the sake of the good-pleasure of God, their life, and substance, their fame and renown, their reputation and honour?

Were not the happenings of the life of the “Prince of Martyrs"(173) regarded as the greatest of all events, as the supreme evidence of his truth?  Did not the people of old declare those happenings to be unprecedented?  Did they not maintain that no manifestation of truth hath ever evinced such constancy, such conspicuous glory?  And yet, that episode of his life, commencing as it did in the morning, was brought to a close by the middle of the same day, whereas, these holy lights have, for eighteen years, heroically endured the showers of afflictions which, from every side, have rained upon them.  With what love, what devotion, what exultation and holy rapture, they sacrificed their lives in the path of the All-Glorious!  To the truth of this all witness.  And yet, how can they belittle this Revelation?  Hath any age witnessed such momentous happenings?  If these companions be not the true strivers after God, who else could be called by this name?  Have these companions been seekers after power or glory?  Have they ever yearned for riches?  Have they cherished any desire except the good-pleasure of God?  If these companions, with all their marvellous testimonies and wondrous works, be false, who then is worthy to claim for himself the truth?  I swear by God!  Their very deeds are a sufficient testimony, and an irrefutable proof unto all the peoples of the earth, were men to ponder in their hearts the mysteries of divine Revelation.  “And they who act unjustly shall soon know what lot awaiteth them!"(174)