--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Had it been published by a voice from…" description: "\"Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve poor men, taken out of boats and creeks, without any help of learning, should conquer the wor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg" --- # Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve… ![“Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve poor men, taken out of boats and creeks, without any help of learning, should conquer the world to the cross, it might have been thought an illusion against all reason of men; yet we know it was undertaken and accomplished by them.” quote by Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg) > “Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve poor men, taken out of boats and creeks, without any help of learning, should conquer the world to the cross, it might have been thought an illusion against all reason of men; yet we know it was undertaken and accomplished by them.” [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that divine inspiration can enable seemingly unqualified people to achieve great feats, defying rational expectations. **In simple terms:** Divine help lets ordinary people do extraordinary things. Key Takeaway Trust higher purpose when abilities seem lacking. Themes faith miracle human potential Mood hopeful reflective Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - missionary work - social reform - personal crisis - community building Key Concepts theology inspiration divine intervention Questions to Reflect On - What would you attempt if you felt guided by a higher purpose? - How do you balance faith and practical skill? A Different Perspective Relies on belief in supernatural aid, which may not be universally accepted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/) [Boat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boat/) [Conquer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/) [Conquer the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer-the-world/) [Creeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeks/) [Cross Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross-thought-1100598/) [Crosses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crosses/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-poor-1100597/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-know/) [Men Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-taken-698276/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Might have been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might-have-been/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Poor man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-man/) [Poor Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-men-385747/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Twelve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twelve/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I'm beginning to believe that there are angels disguised as men who pass themselves off as such and who inhabit the earth for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sand/i-m-beginning-to-believe-that-there-are-angels-disguised-as-men-who/) [George Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sand/) > [“And of these, a great part build so much on their ceremonies and petty traditions of men that they think one heaven is too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus/and-of-these-a-great-part-build-so-much-on-their-ceremonies-and-petty/) [Erasmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus/) > [Sometimes you want to fall on your knees and thank God in heaven for all the poor news reporting that goes on in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/sometimes-you-want-to-fall-on-your-knees-and-thank-god-in-heaven-for/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [“After all, a man’s Life must be nailed to a cross either of Thought or Action. Without work there is no play. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/after-all-a-man-s-life-must-be-nailed-to-a-cross-either-of-thought-or/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“There is an anchor for the soul at the cross of Christ, and it is saying to you today, ‘I love you.’ Yes, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/there-is-an-anchor-for-the-soul-at-the-cross-of-christ-and-it-is/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [“I couldn’t tell them about Cross, I thought. I couldn’t tell them because Dede liked him and because she wouldn’t believe or understand it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-couldn-t-tell-them-about-cross-i-thought-i-couldn-t-tell-them/) [Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/) > [“Though Jesus was in torture on the cross, He thought of praying for His persecutors, of caring for His mother, of securing the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-dubay/though-jesus-was-in-torture-on-the-cross-he-thought-of-praying-for/) [Thomas Dubay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-dubay/) > [If ever peace is to be imposed on the world it will only be because a large number of men who could have taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-west/if-ever-peace-is-to-be-imposed-on-the-world-it-will-only-be-because-a/) [Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-west/) > [“It was nice to know that the man you cared for, cared for you enough as well to show all the other men around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-gadziala/it-was-nice-to-know-that-the-man-you-cared-for-cared-for-you-enough/) [Jessica Gadziala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-gadziala/) > [More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/more-gold-has-been-mined-from-the-thoughts-of-men-than-has-been-taken/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“Great men taken up in any way are profitable company. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man without gaining something by him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/great-men-taken-up-in-any-way-are-profitable-company-we-cannot-look/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [“Too many men have taken a passive approach to their lives and, in turn, have created a life they’re not at all proud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-michler/too-many-men-have-taken-a-passive-approach-to-their-lives-and-in-turn/) [Ryan Michler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-michler/) > [Herein lies the tragedy of the age: Not that men are poor, - all men know something of poverty. Not that men are wicked,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/herein-lies-the-tragedy-of-the-age-not-that-men-are-poor-all-men-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But there—poor men mun bleed for the rich man’s gold, and always will, eh?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-there-poor-men-mun-bleed-for-the-rich-man-s-gold-and-always-will/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Poor men's reasons are not heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/poor-men-s-reasons-are-not-heard/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) ## More by Stephen Charnock > [Without the heart it is no worship. It is a stage play. It is an acting of a part without being that person, really.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/without-the-heart-it-is-no-worship-it-is-a-stage-play-it-is-an-acting/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Since therefore all things are ordered in subserviency to the good of man, they are so ordered by Him that made both man and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/since-therefore-all-things-are-ordered-in-subserviency-to-the-good-of/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Without the heart it is no worship; it is a stage play; an acting a part without being that person really which is acted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/without-the-heart-it-is-no-worship-it-is-a-stage-play-an-acting-a/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Let us look upon a crucified Christ, the remedy of all our miseries. His cross hath procured a crown, his passion hath expiated our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/let-us-look-upon-a-crucified-christ-the-remedy-of-all-our-miseries/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [It is the black work of an ungodly man or an atheist, that God is not in all his thoughts. What comfort can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/it-is-the-black-work-of-an-ungodly-man-or-an-atheist-that-god-is-not/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [A proud faith is as much a contradiction as a humble devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/a-proud-faith-is-as-much-a-contradiction-as-a-humble-devil/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [What a curious workmanship is that of the eye, which is in the body, as the sun in the world; set in the head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/what-a-curious-workmanship-is-that-of-the-eye-which-is-in-the-body-as/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Our ignorance of God is too great, because our estimations of God are too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/our-ignorance-of-god-is-too-great-because-our-estimations-of-god-are/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [God doth not govern the world only by his will as an absolute monarch, but by his wisdom and goodness as a tender father.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/god-doth-not-govern-the-world-only-by-his-will-as-an-absolute-monarch/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [No man is an unbeliever, but because he will be so; and every man is not an unbeliever, because the grace of God conquers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/no-man-is-an-unbeliever-but-because-he-will-be-so-and-every-man-is/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [“Man's wisdom detracts from the glory of God, who is more honoured by the simplicity of the gospel, than luxuriance of wit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/man-s-wisdom-detracts-from-the-glory-of-god-who-is-more-honoured-by/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Assurance is the fruit that grows out of the root of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/assurance-is-the-fruit-that-grows-out-of-the-root-of-faith/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Since we are dead in sin, a spiritual light and flame in the heart suitable to the nature of the object of our worship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/since-we-are-dead-in-sin-a-spiritual-light-and-flame-in-the-heart/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Without the heart it’s not worship, it’s a stage play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/without-the-heart-it-s-not-worship-it-s-a-stage-play/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [How comfortable it is to have One, day and night, before the throne to control the charge of our enemy, and the despondencies of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/how-comfortable-it-is-to-have-one-day-and-night-before-the-throne-to/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) [Explore all 43 Stephen Charnock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) ## More Accomplished quotes > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [... even the most sublimely accomplished non-stop talker can't consistently please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/even-the-most-sublimely-accomplished-non-stop-talker-can-t/) [J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/) > [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/) [Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I'm proud of what I've accomplished and that is empowering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-accomplished-and-that-is-empowering/) [Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/) > [We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered that much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-do-not-know-today-whether-we-are-busy-or-idle-in-times-when-we/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I don't know Beyoncé, but I have the impression that she's sincere, that she really is a feminist and wanted to put the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-don-t-know-beyonc-but-i-have-the-impression-that-she-s-sincere-that/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-gain-in-self-confidence-of-having-accomplished-a-tiresome-labour/) [Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/) > [With Epcot Center, the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-accomplished-something-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) [Amy Ridenour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ridenour/) > [“Great things can be accomplished, when it doesnt matter who gets the credit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/great-things-can-be-accomplished-when-it-doesnt-matter-who-gets-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [If I could inspire you for even a moment to be yourself and love yourself, and not let what anyone has to say hinder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-neal-hartry/if-i-could-inspire-you-for-even-a-moment-to-be-yourself-and-love/) [Joshua Neal Hartry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-neal-hartry/) [Browse all 1,379 Accomplished quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve poor men, taken out of boats and creeks, without any help of learning, should conquer the world to the cross, it might have been thought an illusion against all reason of men; yet we know it was undertaken and accomplished by them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Charnock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-heaven-that-twelve-poor-men/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accomplished" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-heaven-that-twelve-poor-men/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/stephen-charnock-15530_accomplished_had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-he_1695837.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Had it been published by a voice from heaven, that twelve poor men, taken out of boats and creeks, without…” — Stephen Charnock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Charnock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Had it been published by a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-heaven-that-twelve-poor-men/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/had-it-been-published-by-a-voice-from-heaven-that-twelve-poor-men/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```