Nor can a council national decide, } But with subordination to her guide: } (I wish the cause were on that issue tried.)} Much less the scripture; for suppose debate Betwixt pretenders to a fair estate, Bequeathed by some legator's last intent;[159] (Such is our dying Saviour's testament:) The will is proved, is opened, and is read, The doubtful heirs their differing titles plead; All vouch the words their interest to maintain, And each pretends by those his cause is plain. Shall then the testament award the right? No, that's the Hungary for which they fight; The field of battle, subject of debate; The thing contended for, the fair estate. The sense is intricate, 'tis only clear What vowels and what consonants are there. Therefore 'tis plain, its meaning must be tried Before some judge appointed to decide.-- Suppose, the fair apostate said, I grant, The faithful flock some living guide should want, Your arguments an endless chace pursue: } Produce this vaunted leader to our view,} This mighty Moses of the chosen crew.-- } The dame, who saw her fainting foe retired, With force renewed, to victory aspired; And, looking upward to her kindred sky, } As once our Saviour owned his Deity, } Pronounced his words--"She whom ye seek am I."[160]} Nor less amazed this voice the Panther heard, Than were those Jews to hear a God declared. Then thus the matron modestly renewed: Let all your prophets and their sects be viewed, And see to which of them yourselves think fit The conduct of your conscience to submit; Each proselyte would vote his doctor best, With absolute exclusion to the rest: Thus would your Polish diet disagree, And end, as it began, in anarchy; Yourself the fairest for election stand, Because you seem crown-general of the land; But soon against your superstitious lawn Some presbyterian sabre would be drawn;[161] In your established laws of sovereignty } The rest some fundamental flaw would see,} And call rebellion gospel-liberty. } To church-decrees your articles require Submission mollified, if not entire.[162] Homage denied, to censures you proceed; But when Curtana[163] will not do the deed, You lay that pointless clergy-weapon by, And to the laws, your sword of justice, fly. Now this your sects the more unkindly take, (Those prying varlets hit the blots you make,) Because some ancient friends of yours declare, Your only rule of faith the scriptures are, Interpreted by men of judgment sound, Which every sect will for themselves expound; Nor think less reverence to their doctors due For sound interpretation, than to you. If then, by able heads, are understood Your brother prophets, who reformed abroad; Those able heads expound a wiser way,