Запретный лес
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
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"Whatsideareyouon?"Davidaskedabruptly.
"IamonthesideofthefreepeopleofScotland.Andyoubyyourvowsareonthesameside,foryourconcernistofeedtheflockofGodwhichisamongus.Thinkyou,sir,ifyoudepressthebalanceagainsttheKing,thattherebyyouwillwinmoreforthepeople?Nay,nay,whatislosttotheprerogativewillgo,nottothepeople,buttothosewhopreyonthem.Youwillhavethatanarchywhichgiveshischancetothespoiler,andoutofanarchywillcomesomedayamanofviolencewhowilltyrannicallymakeorderagain.Itisthewayoftheworld,myfriend."
"AreyoufortheCovenant?"
Atthequestiontheothersstarted."Enoughofpolitics,"criedRollo."Thesearenomatterstodebateamongwearyfolk."Butthegroomraisedhishand,andtheyweresilent.
"IamfortheCovenant.SixyearsbackIdrewswordforit,andIdidnotsheathethatswordtillwehadestablishedthelibertiesofthisland.ThatwasindeedaCovenantofGrace."
"Thereisanotherandalater.Whatsayyouofthat?"
"IsayofthatotherthatitisaCovenantofWorksinwhichIhavenopart,noranytrueloveroftheKirk.ItisasteppingoftheKirkbeyondtheboundsprescribedbythelawofGodandthelawofman,anditwillmeanaweakeningoftheKirkinitsproperduties.AndthatIneednottellyou,asaministerofChrist,willbethestarvationandoppressionofChrist’ssimplefolk.Quicquiddelirantreges,plectunturAchivi.
