By him the violated law fpeaks out Its thunders; and by him, in ftrains as sweet He stablishes the strong, reftores the weak, Of heav'nly temper, furnishes with arms, The facramental host of God's elect! Are all fuch teachers?-would to heav'n all were! But hark the doctor's voice!-faft wedg'd between He teaches those to read, whom schools dismiss'd, And colleges, untaught; fells accent, tone, And emphasis in fcore, and gives to pray'r Th' adagio and andante it demands. He grinds divinity of other days Down into modern use; transforms old print To zig-zag manufcript, and cheats the eyes Are there who purchase of the doctor's ware? Oh, name it not in Gath!-it cannot be, That grave and learned clerks fhould need fuch aid. He doubtless is in sport, and does but droll, Affuming thus a rank unknown before Grand caterer and dry-nurse of the church! I venerate the man whofe heart is warm, Whofe hands are pure, whofe doctrine and whofe life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honeft in the facred cause. To fuch I render more than mere refpect, Whofe actions fay that they respect themselves. But, loose in morals, and in manners vain, In conversation frivolous, in dress Extreme, at once rapacious and profuse; Of ladyfhips-a ftranger to the poor; To make God's work a finecure; a flave To his own pleasures and his patron's pride:- Would I defcribe a preacher, fuch as Paul, Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and owpPaul fhould himself direct me. I would trace His mafter-strokes, and draw from his defign. Behold the picture !-Is it like ?-Like whom? In man or woman, but far moft in man, And most of all in man that minifters And serves the altar, in my foul I loath All affectation. 'Tis my perfect fcorn; Object of my implacable difguft. What!-will a man play tricks, will he indulge Displaying his own beauty, ftarves his flock! And start theatric, practifed at the glass! I seek divine fimplicity in him Who handles things divine; and all befides, Though learn'd with labour, and though much admir'd By curious eyes and judgments ill-inform❜d, To me is odious as the nafal twang |