Запретный лес

           ForDavidtherewasnoshareintheclericalsupperattheCrossKeys.HelayatasmallerinnintheNorthgate,aresortofdroversandpackmen,andspentsuchtimeasremainedbeforebedinwalkingbyAllerside,underthelittlehillcrownedwithkirkandcastle,watchingthesalmonleapastheypassedthecauld.Nextday,thefactshavingbeenascertainedbyadmission,thePresbyterydebatedonprinciples,Davidwassummonedtojustifyhisconduct,and--withaprayerthathemightbegivenhumility--complied.Witheverysentenceherodedeeperintothedisapprobationofhishearers.Heclaimedthatthecauseofthehelpless,howeverguilty,wasthecauseofChrist.Shouldastarvingenemybeturnedfromthedoor,eventhoughitwasanenemyoftheKirk’s?

           "Man,canyenodistinguish?"thunderedtheministerofBold."Haveyounologicinyourhead?"AndhequotedadozensavageScripturalprecedentsagainsthim.

           WastheCourt,Davidasked,inatimeofcivilstrifeandwarbetweenbrothers,clearthattheprecedentofIsraelandthetribesofCanaanheld?ThementheyfoughtagainstwereprofessingChristians,indeedprofessedPresbyterians.Grantedthattheywereinerror,wasitanerrorwhichcouldonlybeextirpatedinblood?

           Itwasanunluckyplea,foritbroughtforthafrenziedtorrentofdenials.TheappealofhisopponentswasnotonlytoScripture,buttothedecisionsoftheKirk.