But, if that common principle be true, The canon, dame, is levelled full at you. But, shunning long disputes, I fain would see That wonderous wight, Infallibility. Is he from heaven, this mighty champion, come? Or lodged below in subterranean Rome? First, seat him somewhere, and derive his race, Or else conclude that nothing has no place.-- Suppose, though I disown it, said the Hind, The certain mansion were not yet assigned; The doubtful residence no proof can bring Against the plain existence of the thing. Because philosophers may disagree, } If sight by emission, or reception be, } Shall it be thence inferred, I do not see?[146]} But you require an answer positive, } Which yet, when I demand, you dare not give; } For fallacies in universals live.[147] } I then affirm, that this unfailing guide In pope and general councils must reside; Both lawful, both combined; what one decrees } By numerous votes, the other ratifies: } On this undoubted sense the church relies.[148]} 'Tis true, some doctors in a scantier space, I mean, in each apart, contract the place. Some, who to greater length extend the line, The church's after-acceptation join. This last circumference appears too wide; The church diffused is by the council tied, As members by their representatives Obliged to laws, which prince and senate gives. Thus, some contract, and some enlarge the space;} In pope and council, who denies the place, } Assisted from above with God's unfailing grace? } Those canons all the needful points contain; Their sense so obvious, and their words so plain, That no disputes about the doubtful text Have hitherto the labouring world perplexed. If any should in after-times appear, New councils must be called, to make the meaning clear; Because in them the power supreme resides, And all the promises are to the guides.[149] This may be taught with sound and safe defence; But mark how sandy is your own pretence, Who, setting councils, pope, and church aside, Are every man his own presuming guide.[150] The sacred books, you say, are full and plain, And every needful point of truth contain; All who can read interpreters may be. Thus, though your churches disagree, Yet every saint has to himself alone The secret of this philosophic stone. These principles your jarring sects unite, When differing doctors and disciples fight. Though Luther, Zuinglius, Calvin, holy chiefs, Have made a battle-royal of beliefs; Or, like wild horses, several ways have whirled The tortured text about the Christian world; Each Jehu lashing on with furious force, That Turk or Jew could not have used it worse; No matter what dissension leaders make, Where every private man may save a stake: