By him the violated law speaks out It's thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace. Of heav'nly temper, furnishes with arms The sacramental host of God's elect! 340 Are all such teachers?-would to Heav'n all were! But hark-the doctor's voice!-fast wedg'd be tween Two empirics he stands, and with swoln cheeks Inspires the news, his trumpet. Keener far Than all invective is his bold harangue, While through that public organ of report He hails the clergy; and, defying shame, Announces to the world his own and theirs! 351 He teaches those to read, whom schools dismiss'd, And colleges, untaught; sells accent, tone, And emphasis in score, and gives to pray'r He grinds divinity of other days Down into modern use; transforms old print Are there who purchase of the doctor's ware! O, name it not in Gath!-it cannot be, 360 That grave and learned clerks should need such aid. 370 I venerate the man, whose heart is warm, Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof, That he is honest in the sacred cause. To such I render more than mere respect, Whose actions say, that they respect themselves. But loose in morals, and in manners vain, In conversation frivolous, in dress Extreme, at once rapacious and profuse; Of ladyships, a stranger to the poor; Ambitious of preferment for it's gold, And well prepar'd, by ignorance and sloth, To make God's work a sinecure; a slave 380 390 To his own pleasures and his patron's pride: Would I describe a preacher such as Paul, VOL. II. F 400 Were he on Earth, would hear, approve, and own, A messenger of grace to guilty men. Behold the picture!-Is it like?-Like whom? In man or woman, but far most in man, And most of all in man, that ministers And serves the altar, in my soul I loath All affectation. "Tis my perfect scorn; What!-will a man play tricks, will he indulge He mocks his Maker, prostitutes and shames And start theatric, practis'd at the glass! Who handles things divine; and all besides, 420 430 Tho' learn'd with labour, and tho' much admir'd |