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 Stewart." "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.