Would I describe a preacher,
. . . .
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men.
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Go forth and preach impostures to the world,
But give them truth to build on.
Go forth and preach impostures to the world,
But give them truth to build on.
God preaches, a noted clergyman,
And the sermon is never long;
So instead of getting to heaven read more
God preaches, a noted clergyman,
And the sermon is never long;
So instead of getting to heaven at last,
I'm going all along.
The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd:
Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd.
His preaching read more
The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd:
Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd.
His preaching much, but more his practice wrought;
(A living sermon of the truths he taught:)
For this by rules severe his life he squar'd:
That all might see the doctrines which they heard.
Alas for the unhappy man that is called to stand in the pulpit,
and not give the bread of read more
Alas for the unhappy man that is called to stand in the pulpit,
and not give the bread of life.
A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.
I preached as never sure to preach again,
And as a dying man to dying men.
I preached as never sure to preach again,
And as a dying man to dying men.
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark!
And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark!
And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
