The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop :: :: University of Virginia Library

Seraph of Truth! (Thou who to Imlah's son,
Micaiah, Seer of the Most High, didst shew
The lying spirit, from the Throne of God
Sent forth, to lure with language of fair hope
Ahab, death-doom'd, to Ramoth,) Oh! vouchsafe
A moment of thy lustre to mine eye,
Else dark; and guide me, inexpert and weak,
Thro' argument, to mortal phantasie
Inscrutable, save with Cœlestial Aid.

Arduous the task to fix the wilful mind
Of heedless Man! and lead intelligence
To it's prime source, the One Great Infinite,
The First, Supreme, Essential Excellence,
Glory of Glories! Majesty of Might!—
—Blest Contemplation! could the Preacher dwell
For ever on that theme!—But ah! too soon
Justice amidst th' eternal attributes
Lifts her stern front; and to reflection's glance
Unfolds a crimson Register: the Heart
Conscious recoils; and owns the dreadful record
A transcript of itself.—Where now, vile Man!
Where, Sinner! where, Pollution! is thy refuge?
The Power, the Wisdom,—and whate'er thou saw'st
In Him, the Almighty—saw'st rejoicing—now
But serves to arm with tenfold energy
Affronted Vengeance!—And th' Empyreal Brightness,
(Brightness to pure Angelic Spirits) to Thee

Gleams kindling Terrors of Omnipotence,
And flaming shafts of Wrath inevitable.

Yet e'er thou sink beneath th' incumbent weight
Of Guilt, and of Dismay, attend once more
The Preacher's call—Raise, thou appall'd, thy face
Again tow'rd Heaven's high Throne; look up; and see
Incarnate Deity, the Word, the Life,
The Word of Life, the Life of Righteousness,
The very consubstantial Son of God,
Become thy Advocate, thy Expiation,
Thy Health, thy Stay, thy Heritage for ever!

Oh! glorious Tidings! Oh supreme delight
To give these tidings to Mankind!
To point Redemption out! to pour the balm
Of Peace and Comfort on Despair! to lead
Repentant sense to Faith; and Faith to Purity,
And Purity to Zeal, and Zeal to Virtue,
And Virtue to the Christian's high pre-eminence,
His essence, his perfection—Charity!

Such purpose, so important, dignifies
The Preacher's occupation:—ill discharg'd
When Pride assumes the veil of Sanctity,
Administring thro' spiritual dominion
To lordly empire o'er the lives of men,
Such as in Rome, or farthest Paraguay,
Pontiff or Jesuit, by threats or wiles,
Bull, Relique, Legend, Sophism, Sword, or Fire,
Establish'd.—Nor doth he dishonour less
His hallow'd Calling, who for Doctrines gives
Interpretation, private, personal,
Fantastic, or unfruitful; changing thus
The Image of the Sole Immutable,
To likeness of mere Man.—Nor he, who, fir'd
By worldly objects, lucre, or th' acclaim
Of shallow multitudes, makes holy Truth
Delusion's instrument.—Nor he, who pines
Envious of excellence, and low'rs gaunt scorn,
If chance a brother's merit rise to view.

Far other signs, far other principles
Mark the true Preacher; mark his life, his judgment,
His eloquence, his converse, his affections.
Meekness, Complacence, gentle Sympathy,
Cheerful Concession, manly Perseverance,
The Dignity of Truth, the Condescension
Of ever-during Patience, and sweet Candour,
The Wish, the warm Solicitude to spread
Good-will, improvement, amity, joy, confidence,
Salvation,—these inspire him—these exalt
His thought, act, speech.—Thou also, Virgin-born
Saviour of Men! Thou also giv'st thy Spirit
To him, whom thou approvest.—Him, whose zeal
Describes Thee, as Thou art; Author and Finisher
Of Faith, Obedience, peaceful Modesty,
And Love uncircumscribed;—who, most resembling,
But teaches mortals to resemble thee
By Holiness on earth;—that, made hereafter

Immortal like thyself, they may partake
Thy purchas'd Kingdom; purchas'd by the pains
Of suffering Godhead;—and around thy seat
Clad with ethereal Radiance, resound
Thy triumphs—Sin abolish'd, Death destroy'd,
The Just made perfect, and thy Faithful-ones
Thron'd in Beatitude for Evermore!