Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/168

er and higher, every time I repeated my question; I endeavoured to bring the matter to a conclusion, by observing, that I was astonished to find a master in Israel, and a writer too, either not able, or not willing, to answer a simple question, viz. what I am to believe is the foundation of my salvation? what I am to believe procures my justification in the sight of God? "And I am astonished at your blasphemy." This is in character, sir; men of your description were long since fond of fixing this charge on both the Master, and his witnesses; but, remember, sir, if I have blasphemed, it is only Mr. H———, whom I have blasphemed. "Well, sir, I believe I have gone too far; I will, if you please, take back the charge." With all my heart, sir. "I do not doubt, you may be admired in Newport a whole fortnight." That no doubt will be fourteen days longer, than you would wish. Arriving in sight of Newport, Mr. H——— said: "There, sir, is my meeting-house; at a little distance from thence is my dwelling-house, and my friends are mulitplied." Well, sir, I have no home, meeting-house, nor friend, in Newport. Yet, I repeat, before I leave that city, I expect to have more than one home, and many friends. "Well, now I think of it, there is one man, who has a little place, in which, possibly, you may get leave to preach; I will direct you to a man, who has some acquaintance with him." I will thank you, sir, to inform me where my horse may be taken care of; for myself, I have little concern. "I promise you, horse-keeping is very high in Newport." That, sir, is very sad tidings to me, for I promise you, my finances are very low. Some very bitter speeches were made; and I regretted, that I was so unfortunate, as to have taken the journey with Mr. H———. Your people, said I, are leavened with the leaven of the Pharisees, and you seem to be leavened with the leaven of Herod. "What do you mean by the leaven of Herod?" I mean the nature of Herod. "How does that apply?" Some persons urged our Master to fly, in consequence of Herod's seeking his life. Go, said He, tell that fox, I work to-day and to-morrow, &c. &c. Our Master denominated Herod a fox, for the purpose of giving an idea of his nature. What is a fox? a creature that lives upon the spoil; but he is dependent upon the secrecy of the night, and, we are told, in order the more effectually to cover his designs, he sometimes imitates the watch-dog, thus endeavouring to make it appear, he is defending the property of the husbandman, while, under the guise of watchful care for others, he is covertly acting for himself, till the morning dawns, till the light appears, and then his labour ends. This is the leaven of Herod, and it was of the nature of this insidious animal, that