BAXTER'S POEMS. 143 'fhus ·can the flesh such learned men deceive, And make them love their enemies as friends, And rule their faith, and make them all believe, That all is good, which serves their worldly ends. How wise and holy should that person be, Whose daily business is to search God's law? Who should in heavenly pleasure live, but he, That Heaven and Hell, as in a map, still saw? Doth pride and envy, bitter strife,_and wrath, Church tyranny, or hatred of the good, Become that man, who such an office hath, To preach ·God's love, seal'd with Christ's flesh and blood? What is his calling, but souls to convert, And build them up in faith and love with peace·? In what art should he rather b.e expert, Than to breed love, and hurtfulness suppress ? lfhe love Christ, he '11 gently feed his sheep, Cherish and love the good, strengthen the weak, The flock from wolves and hurtful beasts he '11 keep, And not ·against the just and upright speak. Self-contradicting is a madman's mark; Judge then what these malignant preachers are, Self-damning, self-confuting, in the dark, Heart, tongue, and band, are in a constant war. They are Church-shepherds, and yet hurtful wolves, They preach for love to foes, yet hate Christ's friends; . Preach life to others, choose death to themselves; Heavenly words they speak, for worldly ends.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=