Succeeding flocks succeeding pastors nursed. This was the way our wise Redeemer chose, } Who sure could all things for the best dispose,} To fence his fold from their encroaching foes. } He could have writ himself, but well foresaw The event would be like that of Moses' law; Some difference would arise, some doubts remain, Like those which yet the jarring Jews maintain. No written laws can be so plain, so pure, But wit may gloss, and malice may obscure; Not those indited by his first command, A prophet graved the text, an angel held his hand. Thus faith was ere the written word appeared, And men believed not what they read, but heard. But since the apostles could not be confined To these, or those, but severally designed Their large commission round the world to blow, To spread their faith, they spread their labours too. Yet still their absent flock their pains did share; They hearkened still, for love produces care. And as mistakes arose, or discords fell, Or bold seducers taught them to rebel, As charity grew cold, or faction hot, Or long neglect their lessons had forgot, For all their wants they wisely did provide, And preaching by epistles was supplied; So, great physicians cannot all attend, But some they visit, and to some they send. Yet all those letters were not writ to all; Nor first intended but occasional, Their absent sermons; nor, if they contain All needful doctrines, are those doctrines plain. Clearness by frequent preaching must be wrought They writ but seldom, but they daily taught; And what one saint has said of holy Paul, "He darkly writ," is true applied to all. For this obscurity could heaven provide } More prudently than by a living guide, } As doubts arose, the difference to decide?} A guide was therefore needful, therefore made; And, if appointed, sure to be obeyed. Thus, with due reverence to the apostles' writ, By which my sons are taught, to which submit, I think, those truths, their sacred works contain, The church alone can certainly explain; That following ages, leaning on the past, May rest upon the primitive at last. Nor would I thence the word no rule infer, But none without the church-interpreter; Because, as I have urged before, 'tis mute, And is itself the subject of dispute. But what the apostles their successors taught, } They to the next, from them to us is brought, } The undoubted sense which is in scripture sought.} From hence the church is armed, when errors rise, } To stop their entrance, and prevent surprise; } And, safe entrenched within, her foes without defies.} By these all festering sores her councils heal,} Which time or has disclosed, or shall reveal; } For discord cannot end without a last appeal. }