theological controversy,
in which Poundtext feared no man, than of entering into debate with the stern
homicide Balfour.
    »And who, brother,« said Kettledrummle, - »who gave you authority to
interpose in such a high matter?«
    »The tenor of our commission,« answered Poundtext, »gives us authority to
bind and to loose. If Lord Evandale was justly doomed to die by the voice of one
of our number, he was of a surety lawfully redeemed from death by the warrant of
two of us.«
    »Go to, go to,« said Burley; »we know your motives; it was to send that
silkworm - that gilded trinket - that embroidered trifle of a lord, to bear
terms of peace to the tyrant.«
    »It was so,« replied Morton, who saw his companion begin to flinch before
the fierce eye of Balfour - »it was so; and what then? - Are we to plunge the
nation in endless war in order to pursue schemes which are equally wild, wicked,
and unattainable?«
    »Hear him!« said Balfour; »he blasphemeth.«
    »It is false,« said Morton; »they blaspheme who pretend to expect miracles,
and neglect the use of the human means with which Providence has blessed them. I
repeat it - Our avowed object is the re-establishment of peace on fair and
honourable terms of security to our religion and our liberty. We disclaim any
desire to tyrannise over those of others.«
    The debate would now have run higher than ever, but they were interrupted by
intelligence that the Duke of Monmouth had commenced his march towards the west,
and was already advanced half-way from Edinburgh. This news silenced their
divisions for the moment, and it was agreed that the next day should be held as
a fast of general humiliation for the sins of the land; that the Reverend Mr.
Poundtext should preach to the army in the morning, and Kettledrummle in the
afternoon; that neither should touch upon any topics of schism or of division,
but animate the soldiers to resist to the blood, like brethren in a good cause.
This healing overture having been agreed to, the moderate party ventured upon
another proposal, confiding that it would have the support of Langcale, who
looked extremely blank at the news which they had just received, and might be
supposed reconverted to moderate measures. It was to be presumed, they said,
that since the King had not entrusted the command of his forces upon the present
occasion to any of their active oppressors, but, on the contrary,