deeming the liturgy, or any other branch of its formularies perfect, I constantly pray that both minister and people may be led into all truth: settled and stablished, and confirmed in whatsoever is perfectly accordant with the Bible; and if anything they be otherwise minded, that God will reveal it to them.' 'You will be called a dissenter for all this,' said my uncle, smiling. 'I have often been called so by one party, and by another a most bigotted church-woman; but what is man's judgment? The time is not far off when principles will be so tried and sifted, that each individual must show to what party he belongs. They who are on the Lord's side will shine as a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Very probably that city may become a mark to the scoffer, and a scorn of the proud. It may be beseiged, assaulted, menaced with famine, and the sword, and sorely straitened but destroyed it cannot be; for, uncle, whatsoever others may build upon, whether on names or privileges, forms or genealogical successions, our foundation standeth unchangeable and sure. Upon the Eternal Rock are we built, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against us.' : |