By him the violated law speaks out It's thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace. 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, BOOK II. THE TIME-PIECE. Whose actions say, that they respect themselves. Extreme, at once rapacious and profuse; Of ladyships, a stranger to the poor; And well prepar'd, by ignorance and sloth, By infidelity and love of world, To make God's work a sinecure; a slave 380 To his own pleasures and his patron's pride: Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul, 390 400 Were he on Earth, would hear, approve, and own, And tender in address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men. Behold the picture!-Is it like?— Like whom? In man or woman, but far most in man, BOOK II. THE TIME-PIECE. And most of all in man, that ministers And serves the altar, in my soul I loath And start theatric, practis'd at the glass! I seek divine simplicity in him, Who handles things divine; and all besides, 420 430 Tho' learn'd with labour, and tho' much admir'd |