For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and his wit;
'Twas Presbyterian true blue;
read more

For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and his wit;
'Twas Presbyterian true blue;
For he was of that stubborn crew
Of errant saints, whom all men grant
To be the true Church Militant;
Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of pike and gun;
Decide all controversies by
Infallible artillery;
And prove their doctrine orthodox,
By Apostolic blows and knocks.

You can and you can't,--You shall and you shan't--You will and
you won't--And you will be damned if you read more

You can and you can't,--You shall and you shan't--You will and
you won't--And you will be damned if you do--And you will be
damned if you don't.

The (Christian) "doctrines" are translations into our concepts and ideas of that which God has already expressed in language more read more

The (Christian) "doctrines" are translations into our concepts and ideas of that which God has already expressed in language more adequate, namely the actual incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection

"Orthodoxy, my Lord,: said Bishop Warburton, in a whisper,--
"orthodoxy is my doxy,--heterodoxy is another man's doxy."

"Orthodoxy, my Lord,: said Bishop Warburton, in a whisper,--
"orthodoxy is my doxy,--heterodoxy is another man's doxy."

The main doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God

The main doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God

What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was read more

What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was prov'd true before
Prove false again? Two hundred more.

O how far remov'd,
Predestination! is thy foot from such
As see not the First Cause entire: read more

O how far remov'd,
Predestination! is thy foot from such
As see not the First Cause entire: and ye,
O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see the Maker, know not yet
The number of the chosen; and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:
For all good is, in that primal good,
Concentrate; and God's will and ours are one.

Christianity, with its doctrine of humility, of forgiveness, of love, is incompatible with the state, with its haughtiness, its violence, read more

Christianity, with its doctrine of humility, of forgiveness, of love, is incompatible with the state, with its haughtiness, its violence, its punishment, its wars

And after hearing what our Church can say,
If still our reason runs another way,
That private read more

And after hearing what our Church can say,
If still our reason runs another way,
That private reason 'tis more just to curb,
Than by disputes the public peace disturb;
For points obscure are of small use to learn,
But common quiet is mankind's concern.