The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

488 WAVERLEY NOVELSo
of salvation. But I expect to find this by an examination of thleir general
tenor, and of the spirit which they uniformly breathe, and not by wresting
particular passages from their context, or by the application of Scriptural
phrases to circumstances and events with which they have often very slender
relation."
The young divine seemed shocked and thunderstruck with this declaration, and was about to remonstrate.
"Hush, Ephraim!" said Burley; "remember he is but as a babe in
swaddling-clothes. - Listen to me, Morton. I will speak to thee in the
worldly language of that carnal reason, which is, for the present, thy blind
and imperfect guide. What is the object for which thou art content to
draw thy sword? Is it not that the church and state should be reformed
by the free voice of a free parliament, with such laws as shall hereafter
prevent the executive government from spilling the blood, torturing and imprisoning the persons, exhausting the estates, and trampling upon the consciences of men, at their own wicked pleasure?"
"Most certainly," said Morton; "such I esteem legitimate causes of
warfare, and for such I will fight while I can wield a sword."
"Nay, but," said Macbriar, "ye handle this matter too tenderly; nor
will my conscience permit me to fard or daub over the causes of divine
wrath"" Peace, Ephraim Macbriar!" again interrupted Burley.
"I will not peace," said the young man. "Is it not the cause of my
Master who hath sent me? Is it not a profane and Erastian destroying of
his authority, usurpation of his power, denial of his name, to place either
King or Parliament in his place as the master and governor of his household, the adulterous husband of his spouse?"
"You speak well," said Burley, dragging him aside, "but not wisely.
Your own ears have heard this night in council how this scattered remnant
are broken and divided, and would ye now make a veil of separation between them? - would ye build a wall with unslaked mortar? - if a fox go
up, it will breach it."
"I know," said the young clergyman, in reply, "that thou art faithful,
honest, and zealous, even unto slaying; but, believe me, this worldly craft,
this temporizing with sin and with infirmity, is in itself a falling away;
and, I fear me, Heaven will not honour us to do much more for His glory,
when we seek to carnal cunning and to a fleshly arm. The sanctified end
must be wrought by sanctified means."
"I tell thee," answered Balfour, "thy zeal is too rigid in this matter;
we cannot yet do without the help of the Laodiceans and the Erastians;
we must endure for a space the indulged in the midst of the council -the
sons of Zeruiah are yet too strong for us."
" I tell thee I like it not," said Macbriar. " God can work deliverance
by a few as well as by a multitude. The host of the faithful that was broken upon Pentland-hills, paid but the fitting penalty of acknowledging the
carnal interest of that tyrant and oppressor, Charles Stuart."
"Well, then," said Balfour, "thou knowest the healing resolution that
the council have adopted-to make a comprehending declaration, that may
suit the tender consciences of all who groan under the yoke of our present
oppressors. Return to the council if thou wilt, and get them to recall it,
and send forth one upon narrower grounds. But abide not here to hinder
my gaining over this youth, whom my soul travails for; his name alone
will call forth hundreds to our banners."
"Do as thou wilt, then," said Macbriar; "but I will not assist to mislead the youth, nor bring him into jeopardy of life, unless upon such
grounds as will insure his eternal reward."
The more artful Balfour then dismissed the impatient preacher, and returned to his proselyte.