Заборонений ліс
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
Nicholassubsidedinhischair,buthisfaceremainedbothpuzzledandexcited.
Thegroomspokeagain.
"Youareascholar,andyouareyoung,andyouarefulloftheardourofyourcalling.Thisparishisfortunateinitsminister,andIwouldthatallScotlandwereashappilyserved.WhatisitthatyouandIseekalike?ApuredoctrineandaliberatedKirk?Istherenomore?"
"IseekaboveallthingstobringmenandwomentoGod’smercy-seat."
"AndIsayAmen.ThatismorethananydisputationabouttheformsofPresbytery.Butyouseekalso,orIammightilymistookinyou,thefreedomandwell-beingofthislandofours--thatourIsraelmayhavepeaceandprosperityinherborders."
"Ifthefirstbewon,alltherestwillbeaddeduntous."
"Doubtless.Butonlyifthefirstbetrulywon--iftheKirkattendtotheworkofsalvationanddoesnotexpendhertoilinbarrenfields.HersovereignmustbeKingJesus.TakeheedthatinsteaditbenotKingCovenant."
ThewordsrecalledtoDavidMr.Fordyce’sdoubts,whichhadbeensoscornfullyrepelledbytheministersofKirkAllerandBold.
"DoesitlieinthemouthofaministeroranelderoftheKirktocavilattheKirk’sdoings?"heasked,butwithoutconvictioninhistone.
Theothersmiled."Yougivedueloyalty,astheScriptureenjoins,totheKing,Mr.Sempill?"
"IamfaithfultohisMajestysolongashisMajestyisfaithfultolawandreligion."
"Evenso.Itismyowncreed.TheKingmustrespectthelimitsofhisprerogative--itistheconditiononwhichherulesinafreeland.MyloyaltytotheKirkisinthesamecase.
