The parson tells me that he meets with many traditional beliefs and notions among the common people, which he has been able to draw from them in the course of familiar conversation, though they are rather shy of Avowing them to strangers, and particularly to "the gentry," who are apt to laugh at them.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
And at last that happens which is a part of every downward course: the veil is dropped; what men have done by stealth, and as if they would deceive themselves, they soon do consciously, Avowing to their conscience what at first they could not face.
"The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Exodus"
G. A. Chadwick
On August 22nd, 1572, he was beheaded, and he died, we are told, "Avowing the Pope's supremacy, and denying subjection to the Queen, affirming the land to be in a schism, and her obedient subjects little better than heretics."
"England in the Days of Old"
William Andrews