Запретный лес
XIV. The Counterblast
Forshame,man!EveninyourownparishyouhaveChasehopelendingahandandridingthehillslikeamoss-trooper--theverymanyouwoulddelateforsin."
"IobeyGod’swordandmyownconscience.Icanimaginenoblackersinthancrueltytothedefenceless."
"God’sword!"criedMr.Muirhead."You’vebeenlamentablyill-instructed.WhatdidJoshuatothepeopleofJericho,bututterlydestroythem,bothmanandwoman,youngandold?WhatdidGideontothekingsZebaandZalmunna?WhatwasthecommandoftheLordtoSaulwhenhewentoutagainstAgagkingoftheAmalekitesbuttoslaybothmanandwoman,infantandsuckling,andwhenSaulwouldhavesavedAgag,whatsaidSamueltohim?--’Rebellionisasthesinofwitchcraftandstubbornnessisasiniquityandidolatry.’YoureyesarefulloffatnessifyoucannaseetheLord’swill.Andyourconscience!YouwouldsetupyourownfalliblejudgmentagainstGod’splaincommandandtheresolvedopinionofthehaillKirk."
"IamaministerofChristfirstandoftheKirksecond.IftheKirkforgetsitsMaster’steaching,wepartcompany."
"Andwhat’sthatteaching,prithee?"
"Tohavemercyandnotsacrifice."
TheministerofKirkAllerclosedhiseyesasifinpain.
"You’redeepdeepinthemireofyourcarnalconceits,"hesaid."Ithoughtyouwereonlywaywardandmistaken,butIseeyou’refirmontherockofyourimpenitence.Troth,Mr.EbenezerofBoldwasintheright--you’veheresyinyouaswellasrecalcitrance.ThisisPresbyterybusiness,sir--ay,andmaybematterfortheGeneralAssembly.
