Заборонений ліс
XVI. The Witch Hunt
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.
