Confessions of A Justified Sinner | Page 8

secluded state, had discovered another five, making twelve
[sic] in all: the adjusting of the existence or fallacy of these five faiths
served for a most enlightened discussion of nearly seventeen hours; in
the course of which the two got warm in their arguments, always in
proportion as they receded from nature, utility, and common sense.
Wringhim at length got into unwonted fervour about some disputed
point between one of these faiths and TRUST: when the lady, fearing
that zeal was getting beyond its wonted barrier, broke in on his
vehement asseverations with the following abrupt discomfiture: "But,
Sir, as long as I remember, what is to be done with this case of open
and avowed iniquity?"

The minister was struck dumb. He leaned him back on his chair,
stroked his beard, hemmed--considered, and hemmed again, and then
said. in an altered and softened tone: "Why, that is a secondary
consideration; you mean the case between your husband and Miss
Logan?"
"The same, Sir. I am scandalized at such intimacies going on under my
nose. The sufferance of it is a great and crying evil."
"Evil, madam, may be either operative, or passive. To them it is an evil,
but to us none. We have no more to do with the sins of the wicked and
unconverted here than with those of an infidel Turk; for all earthly
bonds and fellowships are absorbed and swallowed up in the holy
community of the Reformed Church. However, if it is your wish, I shall
take him to task, and reprimand and humble him in such a manner that
he shall be ashamed of his doings, and renounce such deeds for ever,
out of mere self-respect, though all unsanctified the heart, as well as the
deed, may be. To the wicked, all things are wicked; but to the just, all
things are just and right."
"Ah, that is a sweet and comfortable saying, Mr. Wringhim! How
delightful to think that a justified person can do no wrong! Who would
not envy the liberty wherewith we are made free? Go to my husband,
that poor unfortunate, blindfolded person, and open his eyes to his
degenerate and sinful state; for well are you fitted to the task."
"Yea, I will go in unto him, and confound him. I will lay the strong
holds of sin and Satan as flat before my face as the dung that is spread
out to fatten the land."
"Master, there's a gentleman at the fore-door wants a private. word o'
ye."
"Tell him I'm engaged: I can't see any gentleman to-night. But I shall
attend on him to-morrow as soon as he pleases."
"'He's coming straight in, Sir. Stop a wee bit, Sir, my master is engaged.
He cannot see you at present, Sir."
"Stand aside, thou Moabite! My mission admits of no delay. I come to
save him from the jaws of destruction!"
"An that be the case, Sir, it maks a wide difference; an', as the danger
may threaten us a', I fancy I may as weel let ye gang by as fight wi' ye,
sin' ye seem sae intent on 't.--The man says he's comin' to save ye, an'
canna stop, Sir. Here he is."

The laird was going to break out into a volley of wrath against Waters,
his servant; but, before he got a word pronounced, the Rev. Mr.
Wringhim had stepped inside the room, and Waters had retired,
shutting the door behind him.
No introduction could be more mal-a-propos: it was impossible; for at
that very moment the laird and Arabella Logan were both sitting on one
seat, and both looking on one book, when the door opened. "What is it,
Sir?" said the laird fiercely.
"A message of the greatest importance, Sir," said the divine, striding
unceremoniously up to the chimney, turning his back to the fire, and his
face to the culprits. "I think you should know me, Sir?" continued he,
looking displeasedly at the laird, with his face half turned round.
"I think I should," returned the laird. "You are a Mr. How's--tey--
ca'--him, of Glasgow, who did me the worst turn ever I got done to me
in my life. You gentry are always ready to do a man such a turn. Pray,
Sir, did you ever do a good job for anyone to counterbalance that? For,
if you have not, you ought to be--"
"Hold, Sir, I say! None of your profanity before me. If I do evil to
anyone on such occasions, it is because he will have it so; therefore, the
evil is not of my doing. I ask you, Sir, before God and this witness, I
ask you, have you kept solemnly and inviolate the vows which I laid
upon you that day? Answer me!"
"Has the partner