Nor now conviction do I seek to find, From the deep search of Tully's vig'rous mind 60 #65 (Though gloss'd with eloquence elab'rate o'er) For life's just conduct cannot give the rules, Frame other systems hateful and perverse. 75 80 'Twixt right and wrong no nat'ral line to prove; Or Bolingbroke fallacious, who denies Of just morality the sacred ties; And though he grants there is a great First Cause, Thinks that he only rules by gen'ral laws; 85 Like Catiline endu'd with little sense, Though grac'd with all the pow'rs of eloquence. And less will Reason give her sober ear And less the dang'rous sophistries assume, .90 The baleful principles of erring Hume; Line 85. Bolingbroke allows a general, but denies a particular providence, and a future state of retribution. Line 89. Candour, however, will compel us to acknowledge that Voltaire's wit and poetical talents were splendid, though his learning was not deep, and his principles and reasoning were unsound. Line 90, &c. There are some admirable arguments against the Scepticism of Mr. Hume, and of other writers, in the celebrated Who wish'd Jehovah from his throne to tear, From these what mischiefs have aris'n to man, Of virtue and of happiness the bane! How their accurst contagion have they spread! Which is more horrid than that Pest'lence dread, Which oft its livid banner doth uprear, Where'er the Turks their fell dominion bear, And stalks, by fierce Destruction lacquey'd, and Despair. And what is this auspicious Gospel's aim? What undiscover'd truths does it proclaim?— It clears the doubt of immortality, 100 95 From which Philosophy was never free, 105 The expectations e'en of Tully's breast; Gives the sound doctrines of the various schools, 110 The temper, conduct, and the hope of man: And while it fills his heart with highest aims, 115 His weakness strengthens, and his fierceness tames; Makes him undaunted his resolve maintain, And polishes his harsh asperity, To mansuetude and gentle courtesy. 120 "Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth," by Dr. James Beattie. In our own days, Thomas Paine, though an ignorant man, has done much mischief, in spreading infidelity, as well as sedition, through the world. Lines 123 and 124. One would imagine that the most unrelent ing insensibility would be softened by these heavenly injunctions of the apostle : "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from among you, with all D Lo! as we read, what new unknown control, 125 What sacred energy, assails the soul! We seem to feel an impulse that's divine, "Tis God himself that breathes from every line; 130 Learns, hence, its dang'rous turbulence t' assuage: Revenge, that pants for mischief or for blood, Or broods delib'rate o'er its purpose fell, And in its breast keeps down the smother'd hell, Implacable by penitence or tears; Lo! in obedience to the potent word, 135 140 145 Resigns each cruel thought, and drops the thirsty sword. Unmanly Fear, with abject thoughts deprest, To courage brightens his aspiring crest. 150 Who knows his peace with his Creator made? 'Tis like an exile backward to go home, 155 A captive fearing his release should come; "Tis like a seaman troubled in a storm, Loth that his ship the voyage should perform. With more than Stoic steadiness endu❜d, 160 malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians, iv. 31, 32. Firm, patient, calm, determin'd, and resign'd, Though some, but few, to worthy praise aspir'd, (For still, from early prejudice inclin'd, 165 We praise too much the scourges of mankind :) 170 As learned Cicero, a splendid name, And moral Seneca, of lasting fame, Whom well-directing conscience sometimes mov'd To what enlighten'd Christians have approv'd. By one rash act his mighty name profan'd, 175 180 O! had these doctrines touch'd, inspir'd his mind, 185 Have liv'd, and smil'd at grief, at Cæsar, and the world! But let us, with the temper that is meet, With humble awe, affectionate, replete, 190 Line 177. Cæsar could not be justified in trampling upon the laws, though Cicero and Cato aimed to maintain an impracticable form of government. It would have been happy for Rome, if she had known such a form of government as the British consti. tution, which is calculated to give, permanently, order with liberty. Line 185, &c. Judas, who betrayed our Lord, committed suicide; but none of the other apostles, in the severest afflictions, appeared in the least inclined to this horrible crime. The more this joyful Gospel to display, Had fall'n from bliss, through their delusions vain, 'By which their whole unhappy future race, 195 200 205 Would have been banish'd from their Maker's grace, We Christ but partly know, like strangers sent 210 215 220 225 We now, by Faith embolden'd more and more, ! 230 |