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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=499103" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>The Convocation: A Poem</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">When Vertue's Standard Ecclesiasticks bear,<br>Their sacred Robe the noblest Minds revere.<br>All to its Guidance do their Thoughts submit,<br>But such who triumph in licentious Wit;<br>And nauseous Mirth as high Desert esteem,<br>When rais'd by Scorn upon Religion's Theme<br>As Kings by Right Divine o'er Nations sway,<br>As the most worthy, their high Pow'rs obey;<br>Homage by all is to the Priesthood born,<br>And none but Fools their Heav'nly Pastors scorn.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Yet censure not the Muse's Freedom here:<br>If urg'd by Errors, she must seem severe!<br>Tho' keen her Satyr, she no Envy bears;<br>Tho' Priests she lashes, she their Function spares.<br>Nor for ill Members such the Clergy calls,<br>But on their Shame, and not their Glory, falls.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Of all the Plagues with which the World is curst,<br>Time has still prov'd that Priestcraft is the worst.<br>By some, what Notions thro' the World are spread?<br>On Falshoods grounded, and from Int'rest bred;<br>Errour has still the giddy World perplext,<br>Whilst Scripture gilds it with some sacred Text.<br>This wild Opinions Strife and Faction brings,<br>The Bane of Nations, the Misrule of Kings.<br>Priests oft profane what they from Heav'n derive;<br>Some live by Legends, some by Murders thrive,<br>Some sell their Gods, and Altar-Rites deface,<br>With Doctrines some the Brain-sick People craze.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The Pagan prey on slaughter'd Wretches Fates,<br>The Romish fatten on the best Estates,<br>The British stain what Heav'n has right confest,<br>And Sectaries the Scriptures falsly wrest.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Amongst the Tribe, how few are, as they ought,<br>Clear in their Souls, instructive in their Thought!<br>The Good, like Prophets, shew their Precepts pure;<br>The Ill with Craft the Heav'nly Light obscure;<br>False to their Trust, they lead their Flocks astray,<br>And with their Errors cloud the sacred Way.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Tho' artless Numbers may my Verses throng,<br>Yet now Religion's Cause inspires my Song:<br>Undaunted then, my Muse, thy Purpose say,<br>And for the Church thy warmest Zeal display!<br>An Erring Prelate let thy Lays proclaim,<br>And sing the Convocation's sacred Fame.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>When dire Confusion bore a dreadful Hand,<br>And sore Divisions shook the guilty Land;<br>When Schisms rent the Church, Faction the State,<br>And Schoolmens Quarrels did new Broils create;<br>'Midst Crowds of Libels publish'd to enrage,<br>Writ to corrupt, but not t'improve the Age,<br>Forth to the World from a Learn'd Author came<br>Two, which bear Censures equal to their Fame:<br>By some admired, and by some contemn'd,<br>Prais'd by the Vulgar, by his Peers condemn'd.<br>If from Sincerity Faith ought can claim,<br>Hard Deprivations theirs aloud proclaim.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next, Ordination to explode he seems,<br>Orders are Trifles, Church-Commissions Dreams!<br>The Sense it self these Explanations own,<br>Which none unbyass'd, can as just disown.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>What more can Deists to the Church reply?<br>They in this wise her Sacraments deny;<br>Against her Canons and her Forms combine,<br>And with such Wretches will a Bishop joyn?</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The Topmost Sequel next, of his Essays,<br>The Pulpit trumpets, and the Press displays.<br>New Doctrines still advanc'd, the World alarm,<br>And, all his Brethren with Resentment warm.<br>Ye Pow'rs! If Priests thus their own Craft betray,<br>If what they should conceal, themselves display,<br>Atheists may well mysterious Rights deride,<br>Nor suffer sacred Faith as Reason's Guide.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>But whilst th'Infection thro' the Nation flies,<br>A Rev'rend Author to the Work replies.<br>Oh SNAPE! what Charms thy Genius here bestows;<br>Where nervous Sense in candid Smoothness flows.<br>Sublime thy Thought! with no harsh Stile defil'd,<br>Bold in thy Charge! yet in Expressions mild:<br>Reason Divine in each illustrious Page,<br>Points out those Errors, which you here engage.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>So Henry wrote, by Heav'n inspir'd, when he<br>From Luther's Errors strove the Faith to free:<br>When that great Title in Return was born,<br>Which has e're since by British Kings been worn.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The Gospel's Light does here such Clouds dispel,<br>As Magus's Witchcraft by th'Apostle fell.<br>So wrote that Tribe in sacred Annals past,<br>When Nations yielded, and the Faith embrac'd.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The Clergy now in Convocation meet,<br>And in Debate on these new Doctrines sit.<br>No Contest in th'inferiour House arose;<br>But one Consent these dang'rous Errors shews.<br>None cou'd oppose! So plain did they appear:<br>Nor Doubts could rise their Innocence to clear.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>He, who a Priest, a Prelate's Doctrine blam'd,<br>Is, now a Prelate, here himself arraign'd.<br>He, who did once a worthy Doctor gall,<br>Finds now just Judgment on his Errors fall.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The first is Moss appointed in this Cause;<br>Who the sharp Charge against this Church-man draws.<br>On his sweet Tongue learn'd Elocution dwells,<br>Which in loud Strains the World their Duty tells.<br>His smooth Persuasions Men from Ills entice,<br>Reveal the Gospel, and dipel their Vice.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next, Learned Sprat in this Performance joins,<br>Who sprung from a late Pious Prelate's Loins:<br>His Father's Goodness did his Function grace,<br>And the Son's Vertues do his Footsteps trace.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next, Florid Biss the glorious Cause maintains,<br>Who vast Applause from just Attention gains.<br>Vert'ous his Soul, his Mind does Wisdom shew,<br>And wholsome Doctrines from his Learning flow.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Sherlock's a Name that ever will survive:<br>For the dead Sire does in the Son revive.<br>Amidst the Clan, the Son is nam'd t'oppose<br>The Ill that from such Innovations grows.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next in the List, but not the least, is Friend,<br>Worthy the Cause now chosen to defend!<br>Let tutour'd Youth his wondrous Learning prove,<br>As to the Church his Actions do his Love.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Cannon and Davies, Barrel, Dawson, stand,<br>And act in Concert with this sacred Band.<br>These, to the Upper House are nam'd to give<br>The Charge, which there they with Consent receive.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>But e're the Aim of all this Zeal was done,<br>It here was vanquish'd when 'twas scarce begun.<br>As Jove on high Olympus feign'd to sway,<br>With Thunder parted an immortal Fray:<br>To end the Jarrs that in Religion fall,<br>GEORGE from the Throne at once prorogues 'em all.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>But thus the Parties, more incens'd with Rage,<br>Cease not the Contest; but new Conflicts wage.<br>In Print their Quarrels still confuse the World,<br>And Libels now promiscuously are hurl'd!<br>Their Trumpet Scandal loud Detraction sounds,<br>Diffuses Lies, and Reputations wounds.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Thus Paper-Squibs wing'd from the Presses fly!<br>Alarm! inflame! and loud for Answers cry!<br>Answers pursue th'Attack! Both Parties write!<br>Pens are their Swords, and Papers urge the Fight!<br>The Chiefs with Conduct both maintain the Day;<br>Others confound; but none decide the Fray.<br>Those best succeed, whose Works the Curious buy,<br>Whilst Scrawls neglected, on the Compter lie.<br>But still the Press supplies each empty Brain,<br>No Cyclop Authors form the Bolts in vain,<br>Thence they rush forth, and do the War sustain.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>As thus they 'ngage amidst this Clash of Arms,<br>Quills, I shou'd say, that thus the Town alarms!<br>A Minor Phillips, now Romance is scarce,<br>Seizes Religion, as a Plot for Farce.<br>His Muse grown weary of the Northern Climes,<br>Strives here to raise dull Satyr from the Times.<br>The High Church now with double Rage he wounds,<br>Faith serves for Mirth, the Clergy for Buffoons.<br>Yet the wise Work to aid a Churchman means,<br>The aptest Hero for such low-stil'd Scenes.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Demetrius aims to copy his Design;<br>Jo's ridicul'd, that Ben again may shine,<br>The worthiest all, the Spleens of Wretches raise,<br>And Farce to deck the Lawn bestows the Bays.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Libels the Convocation now abuse,<br>Which not worth Notice, wou'd but pall the Muse:<br>Answers to Snape the World's Attention claim;<br>But pass unheeded, like each Author's Fame.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>B--r's chief Letter bears the great Applause;<br>For Learning varnishes the vilest Cause;<br>Oft casts false Beauties, and obscures each Taint,<br>Makes Right look wrong, th'Offender seem the Saint;<br>Howe'er thro' Eloquence there still are view'd,<br>The Charge evaded, but the Guilt pursu'd.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Now H--dly's Text Trap's Genius does convey;<br>Its Beauties here the Errors there display.<br>Sherlock, and He, who for the Church appear,<br>Snape's just Remarks from each Evasion clear.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next, Law, whose Writing does his Worth proclaim,<br>Answers the Doctrines which the World inflame.<br>His Strength of Judgment their weak Force repels;<br>Their Errors lashes, their Defence reveals.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Hilliard, like Trap, the Soul's true Guidance shews,<br>All see the Poyson, and its Cure disclose.<br>Cockbourn's Remarks have by Church-Canons prov'd,<br>How from its Bounds such Heresy's remov'd,<br>That their own Words against such Guides prevail,<br>Where Errors drive 'em from its sacred Pale.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Now from the Tories Pamphlets rush apace,<br>Answers to Answers thus the Contest trace.<br>In vain with Slander Whigs the Truth wou'd soil:<br>For Scandals back upon themselves recoil!<br>The Tories now their former Pleas enlarge,<br>And in Replies they thus renew their Charge.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>By Quæry first they urge this strange Mistake:<br>Can Ben's Resistance passive Bangor make?<br>What Hoadly preach'd, thus Bangor does evince,<br>'Twas lawful to resist a Tyrant-Prince!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Here he reviles a King expell'd his Throne,<br>Who for his Conscience sacrific'd his Crown.<br>Swoln with Preferment thus the Wretch prophanes<br>The Sacred Reliques with unhallow'd Strains.<br>Cou'd He no other dark Evasions bring,<br>But to asperse a poor departed King?</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>As Conscience-Freedom thus he grants to Slaves.<br>By Nature thoughtless,-he a King's enslaves.<br>The Rights of Kingdoms, as he here proclaims,<br>He those of Christian Faith at once disclaims.<br>What Charity can suit the Rules he owns?<br>Or Loyalty the Love he bears to Crowns?<br>Such partial Treatment Sov'reign Rulers braves!<br>Of Slaves makes Princes, and of Princes Slaves.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>All Earthly Pow'rs he in Christ's Church disowns,<br>Regardless of his Function, or of Crowns.<br>Why is the King its great Supreme no more?<br>Why is the Pow'r from God's Vicegerent tore?</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>In vain false Logic thus at Truth wou'd aim,<br>To prove Christ's Kingdom and his Church the same;<br>Heathens and Devils then Church-Members are,<br>'Cause they Subjection to his Kingdom bear.<br>VVhy a cold, lifeless Motion is Pray'r made?<br>The VVorld's great Saviour sweated as he pray'd.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>An eager Zeal we in the Garden find,<br>Which on the Cross possess'd his anxious Mind;<br>Exerted Transports in his Accents hung,<br>And flow'd with Fervour from his Heav'nly Tongue.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>When on our Knees to Heav'n's high Throne we bow,<br>Love, as inspir'd, shou'd purest Raptures shew.<br>The Soul exerted, shou'd each Wish impart,<br>And for its Off'ring throw a contrite Heart.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Whilst thus these Errors Churchmen all explode,<br>And clear the Vapours which the Faith wou'd cloud;<br>Snape, who to head the Van did first appear,<br>With equal Conduct now commands the Rear!<br>His second Answer's for th'Engagement chose,<br>Which does the Prelate's weak Defence expose.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>This, which his Plea does of its Force despoil,<br>No Pen can answer, nor Resistance foil.<br>When Truth thus sallies forth, Evasions all<br>Start from the Conflict, and confuted fall.<br>In vain new Pamphlets to their Rescue run,<br>Their Chief retreats, the Vict'ry is begun:<br>Those, who the Church against its Foes maintain,<br>Beneath its Banners thus the Glory gain.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>But still their Pride will not the Conquest yield,<br>Like Wasps disarm'd, they buz around the the Field;<br>Or, from the Press, whilst envious Nonsence springs,<br>They hiss, like Serpents that have lost their Stings.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Behold! They drop the Theme they can't oppose,<br>And Advertisements their Retreat disclose.<br>With Aims evasive seem to swell the News,<br>And what shou'd Glorious be, to Farce reduce.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Now the Courant for War is made the Plain,<br>Where B--g--r pours forth all his Force again,<br>Howe'er ill posted, yet more desp'rate grown,<br>To guard this Breach, his Reputation's thrown!<br>His Pen with Fury does Snape's Strength assail,<br>He charges!-True: But does that Charge avail?</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Carlisle here seconds Snape! The Plea maintains!<br>Whilst baneful Discord 'twixt each Prelate reigns.<br>If, as Church-Pillars we the Mitres stile,<br>Tott'ring by Jarrs they shake the sacred Pile!<br>Errors start up! whilst weak the Structure stands,<br>And Factions rage, as in divided Lands!<br>Altars 'gainst Altars rise! Confusions spring!<br>And a long Train of endless Horrors bring.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Fierce Advertisements now i'th' News are seen<br>From these two B--s and a trifling D--<br>With zealous Warmth each in the Contest burns,<br>Whilst from the Truth the D--n Deserter turns.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Carlisle then quits the Plain, whilst neither yield,<br>And urges Bangor to a nobler Field:<br>Nor for his Standard Advertisements rears!<br>But in a Stile more Glorious now appears.<br>Still in Retreat Bangor his Flag displays,<br>And fiercer Vollies from the News conveys.<br>By Kennet strengthen'd, in Opinion high,<br>He does the Foe with future Deeds defie!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>When in his Hand he shall the Pencil bear,<br>The Victor's Honours in the Draught he'll wear.<br>How can true Colours then the Work assure,<br>If Him they flatter, Them in Shades obscure?</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>What can these prove, but mere Evasions all?<br>Which quit the Contest, and on Trifles fall?<br>Snape's heavy Charge as yet unanswer'd stands,<br>And either Vict'ry or Defence demands!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Now from a Party Clamours rise in vain<br>Against Carlisle, who does his Plea maintain,<br>Spite of the D--n, who in Desertion flies,<br>And Peter like, what once he own'd, denies.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Truth is the Bulwark thus keen Envy storms!<br>The Dæmon rages deck'd in various Forms.<br>Here, like a Churchman, dress'd in sacred Stile,<br>With smooth Corruptions she'd the World beguile.<br>And seems t'advance the Church, whilst she'd ensnare<br>Its Rites, its Orders, and Foundation, Pray'r.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next Politician like, she'd raise Debate,<br>To bring the Faith subservient to the State;<br>Like a false Light, their black Designs to gild,<br>Or Ground, on which vile Policies she'd build.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Lastly, In Slander cloath'd, she sallies forth<br>To blast those Fames that bear the noblest Worth!<br>In this black Form the Fiend each Libel shews,<br>Which fiercely arm'd 'gainst Snape or Carlisle goes!<br>Here against Trap! From Sykes 'gainst Sherlock there,<br>Where Bangor's Postscript does its Aid declare.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>'Gainst thee, O Sherlock! Such Efforts are vain:<br>They but asperse what they can never stain.<br>Thy Foes augment by Scandal, Crimes they'd clear,<br>As their black Charge thy Vertue scorns to bear!<br>Thy Strength of Reason stems the rapid Course,<br>And rowls it backwards with resistless Force.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Next Whitby seems (as he'd Snape's Worth oppose)<br>Weak as the Cause in which Defence he rose.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>As Frantick Dunton with the Tribe combines,<br>Th'Ecclesiastick with the Madman joins.<br>Pardon the Muse that on such Trifles dwells,<br>One shews his Weakness, one his Phrenzy tells!<br>As These, so Others, such Essays have made,<br>Who, like their Chief, not answer,-but evade.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>How can Divines here seem to give Applause,<br>Where Heresies support the impious Cause?<br>A Cause, which on the Church's Triumph frowns,<br>And levels Mitres as Resistance crowns.<br>Enthusiasts, Sect'ries, here with Aid supply,<br>And wing'd like Serpents, at our Altars fly!<br>But o'er these Fiends the Faith at length shall reign,<br>Which Worthies thus with bright Essays sustain!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Hear then, ye Pow'rs; on your own Works look down!<br>VVhere are your Rites, when Supplication's gone?<br>VVho shall your Altar's Sacraments prepare,<br>If Pious Zeal's depriv'd of Fervent Pray'r?<br>VVho at the Throne of Grace shall Homage pay,<br>If your own Priests their sacred Trust betray?<br>Assist! inspire! and with a Light Divine,<br>Now let the Faith from Clouds in Glory shine!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Oh Snape! Assert! Pursue the sacred Cause!<br>Improve the Soul! Defend the Church's Laws!<br>Still to thy Aid the sacred Scriptures bring,<br>Whilst Brightest Youths from thy Tuition spring!<br>They, as Examples, shall thy Worth proclaim,<br>And to Time's End shall consecrate thy Fame!</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>The Convocation may to joyn thee meet;<br>And what's so well begun, as well compleat.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Finis</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Richard+Savage">Richard Savage</a><div class=q>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=499103" data-title="The Convocation: A Poem de Richard Savage" data-description="When Vertue's Standard Ecclesiasticks bear,
Their sacred Robe the noblest Minds revere.
All to its Guidance do their Thoughts submit,
But such who triumph in licentious Wit;
And nauseous Mirth as high Desert esteem,
When rais'd by Scorn upon Relig..."></div>
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