In
defining it, I can admit no term not expressing some essential
point. I would not mistake the accident for the essence. That God has
given his revealed word to man, is an essential point in my
belief. That Rome has misconstrued that word, may be true, but comes
not within the scope of my creed. I believe that Christ by his
Apostles founded a church to ramify through the world, like the
fruitful vine running over the wall. Some branches may have rotted
off, some may bear degenerate fruit, some in unpruned luxuriance may
bring forth nothing but leaves. Be it so. My belief is that the branch
I cleave to retains its vital vigor and produces life-sustaining
fruit."
"But how does this prevent your protesting against Rome?" objected
Moodie.
"It prevents my making that protest any part of the definition of my
faith. Names are things, and he who is perpetually dubbing himself a
Protestant, ends by making it the first article of his creed, that
Rome errs, and his active religion becomes opposition to Rome. Now I
find Voltaire quite as good a Protestant as you are."
"I can say nothing to that," answered Moodie, "never having met with
that gentleman.
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