Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
ProudfootchoseforhistextsecondKingsthetenthchapter,thetwenty-fourthverse,thesecondclauseoftheverse:"IfanyofthemenwhomIhavebroughtintoyourhandsescape,hethatlettethhimgo,hislifeshallbeforthelifeofhim."Itwasathemethatsuitedhisgenius,andneverhadhespokenwithmorefreedomandpower.ScripturewasheapeduponScripturetoshowtheguiltofhalf-heartednessinGod’scause("CurseyeMeroz,saidtheangeloftheLord");theotherchargesagainstDavidheneglected,andconcentratedontheawfulguiltofunfaithfulnesstotheKirkinherhouroftrial.ThebulkoftheworldlayproneunderthefootofSatan,butinScotlandtheLordhadsetHispoorpeopleerectandcommittedHiscausetotheircharge,andwoebetothemiftheyfalteredinthattrust.AtthispointMr.Proudfootalmostattainedsublimity.Therewasacrusadingzealinhisvoice;hispictureofthestandofthefaithfulremnantagainsttheworldwasthevisionofastoutheart.
HepassedtoDavidandhisbackslidings.Hedrewtheministerasaweakling,beginningnodoubtwithanhonestpurpose,butsoonseducedfromthenarrowpathbythelustsoftheeyeandtheprideoflife.
