Would I describe a preacher,
. . . .
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men.
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I met a preacher there I knew, and said,
Ill and overworked, how fare you in this scene?
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I met a preacher there I knew, and said,
Ill and overworked, how fare you in this scene?
Bravely! said he; for I of late have been
Much cheered with thoughts of Christ, the living bread.
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.
But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve
He taughte, but first he folowed it hymselfe.
But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve
He taughte, but first he folowed it hymselfe.
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark!
And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark!
And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
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The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
Cry hem; and reading what they never wrote
Just fifteen minutes, huddle up their work,
And with a well-bred whisper close the scene!
A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of read more
He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of mercy, should beware
Of lightness in his speech.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
I preached as never sure to preach again,
And as a dying man to dying men.
I preached as never sure to preach again,
And as a dying man to dying men.
