But Christ and Moses were to save their own: Himself was to secure his chosen race, Though reason good for Turks to take the place, And he allow'd to be the better man, In virtue of his holier Alcoran. True, said the Panther, I shall ne'er deny My brethren may be saved as well as I: Though Huguenots condemn our ordination, Succession, ministerial vocation; 140 And Luther, more mistaking what he read, Misjoins the sacred body with the bread: Yet, lady, still remember, I maintain, The Word in needful points is only plain. Needless, or needful, I not now contend, For still you have a loop-hole for a friend; Rejoin'd the matron: but the rule you lay Has led whole flocks, and leads them still astray, In weighty points, and full damnation's way. For did not Arius first, Socinus now, 150 The Son's Eternal Godhead disavow? And did not these by gospel texts alone Condemn our doctrine, and maintain their own? Have not all heretics the same pretence To plead the Scriptures in their own defence? How did the Nicene Council then decide That strong debate? was it by Scripture tried? No, sure; to that the rebel would not yield; Squadrons of texts he marshall'd in the field: That was but civil war, an equal set, 160 Where piles with piles[112], and eagles eagles met. With texts point-blank and plain he faced the foe. And did not Satan tempt our Saviour so? The good old bishops took a simpler way; Each ask'd but what he heard his father say, Or how he was instructed in his youth, And by tradition's force upheld the truth. The Panther smiled at this; and when, said she, Were those first Councils disallow'd by me? Or where did I at sure Tradition strike, 170 Provided still it were apostolic? Friend, said the Hind, you quit your former ground, Where all your faith you did on Scripture found: Now 'tis Tradition join'd with Holy Writ; But thus your memory betrays your wit. No, said the Panther, for in that I view, When your tradition's forged, and when 'tis true. I set them by the rule, and, as they square, Or deviate from, undoubted doctrine there, This oral fiction, that old faith declare. 180