Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Mungo?"
"Thatthere’swealthofprayerfulandeident[careful]folktoconfoundtheAdversary.ThisisnoseasontodespairofKirkandCovenant,whenthisdaytheyholdthecrownofthecauseway.You’llnohaveheardoftheastonishingmercyvouchsafedtousinEngland?ApostcametoKirkAlleryestreen,anditseemsthatsomeweekssynetherewasagreatbattlebesidethecityofYork,whereourScotswroughtmightily,andourownDavieLesliegavetheKing’shorsementheirkailthroughthereek.Whatdoesthatportend?"
"Itportends,"saidMr.Proudfoot,whomfooddidnotmellow,"thatourpureandreformedKirkofScotlandislinkedmorethaneverwithsectariesandantinomiansandthose,likethebloodyanddeceitfulCromwell,thatwoulddefilethemilkoftheWordwiththesourwheyoftheirhumaninventions.WhatavailsatriumphantKirkifitsdoctrinebesullied?"
Mr.Muirheadlaughed."Itportendsnothingofthekind.Thegoodworkgoescannilyon,andthenobletasktowhichtheAssemblyofDivinesatWestminstersetitselfisadvancedbyalongmile.Man,Eben,youfolkatBoldliveowerfarfromtheworld.It’stheKirkofScotlandthatholdsthebalanceto-dayandcanenforceitswillonbothKingandsectaries.TwodaysbackIhadaletterfromthatgospel-lovingnobleman,theEarlofLoudoun..."
Mr.Muirheadwasmountedonhishighhorse.Helithispipeandforthespaceofhalfanhourdealtcomprehensivelywithpolitics,labouringtoshowthehappypostureofaffairsforwhathecalledthe"goodcause.
