Запретный лес
IV. The Faithful Servant
ButthememoryofCalidonandthetroopersandthegroom’swordsremainedtotroublehim.HadhenotbornehimselfintheircompanyasaLaodicean,assentingwhenheshouldhavetestified?...Hewentovereverydetailofthetalk,foritstuckfirmlyinhismind.TheyhaddecriedtheSolemnLeagueandCovenantinthenameoftheKirk,andhehadnotdenouncedthem....AndyettheyhadspokenasChristianmenandloyalsonsofthatKirk....Whatmeant,too,thegroom’sdisquisitiononlawandgovernment?Davidfoundtheargumenthardtogainsay--itpresentedadoctrineofthestatewhichcommendeditselftohisreason.YetitwasinflatcontradictionofthedeclaredviewofthatKirkwhichhewassworntoserve,andwhatthenbecameofhisordinationvows?...ButwasitcontrarytotheteachingoftheWordandthespiritofhisfaith?Hesearchedhismindonthispointandfoundthathehadnoclearness.
Hisduty,itseemed,wastogotosomefather-in-God,liketheministerofKirkAller,andlayhisdoubtsbeforehim.Buthefoundthatcourseimpossible.ThepalefleshyfaceofMr.Muirheadrosebeforehim,aslight-givingasapeat-stack;heheardhiscomplacenttones,sawtheblandconceitinhisruminanteyes.NorwouldhefarebetterwiththemilitancyofhisbrotherofBold,whoclassedallmankindasAmalekites,savethechosenfewwhoworehisownphylacteries.Mr.Fordycemightgivehimcomfort,andhewasonthepointmanytimesofsaddlinghishorseandridingtothemanseofCauldshaw....Buteachtimehefounditimpossible,andwhenheaskedhimselfthecausehewasamazedattheanswer.
