Wilson; yet do thoughts on such subjects sometimes puzzle the brains
of a soldier in a steel helmet, as well as those of a teacher in a
Geneva cap; and, sworn brothers as we are, proving our affection by a
voluntary community of danger, I will not hesitate to avow my secret
reflections, knowing that they are safe in thy keeping. All Christians
must acknowledge Holy Scripture, when properly understood, as the
imperative rule of faith, without a belief of which there can be no
salvation. Now, in Scripture I do find the Church likened unto a net
let down into the sea, and when drawn up containing within itself a
diversity of fishes. This similitude teaches me that the Blessed
Founder of our religion did contemplate variety, and not that strict
and tame uniformity which would compel every curve into a straight
line, and make the Church more like a platoon of point device Spanish
soldiers than reasoning men variously organized."

"I have heard the text differently explained, to wit: that the Church
is thereby intended to be represented as a receptacle of all men,
without distinction of Jew or Gentile--of color, or of whatever
separates man from man."

"They who interpret it thus, do limit the Word of God, and make vain
the text itself. For, was it not designed that all should be brought
within one fold, that there might be one shepherd? Now, how may this
be done, if respect be not had to the prepossessions and prejudices of
mankind? See the infinite differences that prevail all through the
world. These it is the sacred prerogative of the Church to guide and
control--not violently tearing them up by the roots, but making them
subservient to her advancement."

"That, it seems to me, were little better than encouraging heathenism
under the forms of Christianity."

"Nay, it is more like the manoeuvre of a skilful helmsman, who, when
a flaw that may not be resisted strikes the sails of his ship, doth
not luff, and thereby increase the power of his enemy, and risk
destruction, but, by a gentle turn of the rudder, glides by the
danger, making its very violence facilitate his advance; or it may be
compared to the progress of a wise traveller, who, when he encounters
a steep hill, doth not always press straight forward, but, influenced
by its shape, sometimes turns aside and encircles its base, thereby
diminishing the labor and not increasing the distance."

"It doth look to me," said Arundel, "more like the crooked track of