These inward griefs and troubles of the soul? Oh! my Rebecca! my disorder’d mind 400 No help in study, none in thought can find; What must I do, Rebecca?” She proposed The parish-guide; but what could be disclosed To a proud priest?--“No! him have I defied, Insulted, slighted--shall he be my guide? But one there is, and if report be just, A wise good man, whom I may safely trust; Who goes from house to house, from ear to ear, } To make his truths, his Gospel truths, appear; } True if indeed they be, ’tis time that I should hear. } 410 Send for that man; and if report be just, I, like Cornelius, will the teacher trust; But, if deceiver, I the vile deceit Shall soon discover, and discharge the cheat.” To Doctor Mollet was the grief confess’d, While Gwyn the freedom of his mind express’d; Yet own’d it was to ills and errors prone, And he for guilt and frailty must atone. “My books, perhaps,” the wav’ring mortal cried, “Like men deceive--I would be satisfied; 420 And to my soul the pious man may bring Comfort and light--do let me try the thing.” The cousins met; what pass’d with Gwyn was told; “Alas!” the doctor said; “how hard to hold These easy minds, where all impressions made At first sink deeply, and then quickly fade; For while so strong these new-born fancies reign, We must divert them, to oppose is vain. You see him valiant now, he scorns to heed The bigot’s threat’nings or the zealot’s creed; 430 Shook by a dream, he next for truth receives What frenzy teaches, and what fear believes; And this will place him in the power of one Whom we must seek, because we cannot shun.” Wisp had been ostler at a busy inn, Where he beheld and grew in dread of sin; Then to a Baptists’ meeting found his way, Became a convert, and was taught to pray; Then preach’d; and, being earnest and sincere, Brought other sinners to religious fear. 440 Together grew his influence and his fame, Till our dejected hero heard his name; His little failings were a grain of pride, Raised by the numbers he presumed to guide: A love of presents, and of lofty praise For his meek spirit and his humble ways; But though this spirit would on flattery feed, No praise could blind him and no arts mislead. To him the doctor made the wishes known Of his good patron, but concealed his own; 450 He of all teachers had distrust and doubt, And was reserved in what he came about; Though on a plain and simple message sent, He had a secret and a bold intent. Their minds at first were deeply veil’d; disguise Form’d the slow speech, and op’d the eager eyes; Till by degrees sufficient light was thrown On every view, and all the business shown.