Hugh was evidently not disposed to take any links of the chain for granted.
“Man!” exclaimed Bertram, almost in a pet, “wist not that Paul did ordain Timothy Bishop of Ephesus, and bade him do the like to other,—and so from each to other was the blessed grace handed down, till it gat at the priests that now be?”
“Was it so?” said Hugh coolly. “But when and where bade Paul that Timothy should forgive sins?”
Bertram found it much harder to prove his assertion than to state it. He could only answer that he did not know.
“Nor I neither,” returned Hugh. “Nor Timothy neither, without I much mistake.”
“I must needs give thee up. Thou art the worst caitiff to reason withal, ever mortal man did see!”
Hugh laughed.
“Lo’ you, friend, I ask but for one instance of authority. Show unto me any passage of authority in God’s Word, whereby any priest shall forgive sins; or show unto me any priest that now liveth, which shall bring forth his letters of warrant by healing a man all suddenly of his sickness whatsoever, and I am at a point. Bring him forth, prithee; or else confess thou hast no such to bring.”
“Hold thy peace, for love of Mary Mother!” said Bertram, passing his irrepressible opponent a plateful of smoking pasty, for the party were at supper; “and fill thy jaws herewith, the which is so hot thou shalt occupy it some time.”
“My words being, somewhat too hot for thee, trow?” rejoined Hugh comically. “Good. I can hold my peace right well when I am wanted so to do.”