Запретный лес
IX. Before Lammas
AndattimesI’mtemptedtothinkthatourwayandtheKirk’swayisnotGod’sway,forwe’reapttotreatthenaturalmanasaltogethercorrupt,andputhimunderover-strictpainsandpenalties,whereasthere’smatterinhimthatmightbeshapedtothepurposesofgrace.Ifthere’soriginalsin,there’slikewiseoriginalinnocence.WhenIhearthelassieKatrineYestersingingaboutthedooratCalidon,IhaveanassuranceofGod’sgoodnessassharpasIevergotinprayer.Ifyoubanthisinnocentjoyitwillcurdleandsour,andtheendwillbesin.IfyounglifemaynotcaperonaspringmorntothegloryofGod,itwilldanceinthemirkwoodtotheDevil’spiping."
Mr.Fordycestoppedshortwitharuefulface."That’sforyourownear,Mr.David.IfthebruitofwhatIhavesaidcametothemanseofBold,Mr.EbenezerwouldbefordelatingmetothePresbytery.Butifit’snotorthodoxit’sgoodsense."
"Idoubtorthodoxyisnosalveagainstsin,"saidDavid."Thedevils,itiswritten,believeandtremble,andit’smysurmisethattheleaderofthewitches’coveninWoodileecouldstandhisgroundwithBoldhimselfonmattersofdoctrine."
"Youhaveformidablefoes."
"Ihaveawholeparish,foreventhosewhoarefreeofguiltaretootimidtoliftahand.LikewiseIhavemyKirkSession."
Mr.Fordyceexclaimed.
"AnditlookslikeIwillhavethePresbytery.I’minillodourwithMr.MuirheadfordividingIsrael,andtoMr.ProudfootIsmackofheresy."
"You’veayegottenmeonyourside,"saidMr.Fordyce.
