Classic Poem

Such the old Patriarchs were, with such a band
Led they their Flocks , and rul'd the Holy Land .
Such gentle Crosiers wielded they, when first
Their tender Lambs and Proselytes they nurst;
Guarding the Churches Pale by their strict sway
From sacrilegious Thief and Beast of Prey :
(Their Fences and Inclosures kept with toil,
Secur'd their Diocess , or Fold , from spoil)
Such once were they, when in their Groves they slept,
And Company with none but Angels kept.
They their bright Visions had at such an Age,
And glorious things could from their Dreams presage.
From these your Virtues are deriv'd, and You
(The Churches Patriarch and Apostle too)
Sharing with them beside their antient Seat ,
What Prim'tive is, Apostolick , or Great .
Kind Providence thus wisely had decreed,
E'n yet she plac'd the Mitre on your Head ,
When she install'd your Primate-Soul to heir
The High Priests Throne and Patriarchal Chair.
To fit you for so Eminent a Scene,
Your Consecration she perform'd within .
Such deep Experience gave, as would surpass,
The Compass of a Patriarch 's long-liv'd Glass .
Their lasting Vigour too with this she join'd,
And unimpair'd Abilities of Mind .
The grave Authority of a Heathen Sage ,
With the clear Wisdom of Prophetic Age.
Such Innocence as Prim'tive Times might own,
With Courage , such as would a Martyr crown:
These Blessings all constellated in You,
Proclaim, your great Ascent was but your due,
No bribe of Fortune , or blind gift of Chance ,
Your Virtues Right , and your Inheritance .

While th' Earth was wide, and Planters but a few,
And that the World's first People slowly grew.
The Lambs and Doves for Sacrifice increast,
And multiply'd much faster than the Priest .
The Cath'lique Church , that is, the Circumcis'd ,
Was in a Family or two compris'd.
The Priestly Office and Paternal Care
Descended from the Father to the Heir ;
He, th'holy Ephod wore, and did succeed
Head of that Church , in which he first was bred.
The Flock was little, and but small the Charge ,
The Past'ral Jurisdiction then not large.
Your Lordship now is worthily possest
Of more than six High-Priests enjoy'd at least;
(Rais'd by degrees to such a Sacred Height ,
As Titus in his hundred Mitred Creet .)
Your Charge is greater, but your Care no less,
Your Heart 's enlarg'd, as well as Diocess .
Those fond Relations in the Church begun
With the dear Names of Father and of Son ,
Live still; but since the Church increast her store,
A greater Fam'ly 'tis, than 'twas before.
Sure, when a Province at your Feet does fall,
Your Love shews nobler in adopting all.
So Abram 's Church that with his Off-spring grew,
Kneel'd for the Priest 's and Parent 's Blessing too.
How great's that Love which in your soul takes place!
That can a Province with that ease embrace
As if it Lambeth were, and make it share
A Fathers Fondness and Domestique Care.
Though from your Center 'tis, that you dispence
Your nearer and directer Influence ;
You pierce those places that remoter be,
And all parts heat , though not to that degree:
Thus when the Sun to all the World gives Day ,
He warms all, yet not with an equal Ray ,
He paints the Flowers with a purple Light ,
And gilds the shining Mine with Looks more bright.
On simp'ring Pearl he half a Smile does shed,
And Rubies dyes with half a Blush of Red .
But darts a Beam far fairer than the rest,
To ripen Spices , and perfume the East .
Great Souls , and those for Publick Rule design'd
Seem furnisht out, and fram'd, to chear Mankind ;
Extending still to fit their Sphere , they swell
Till they the measure of their Circle fill:
Still overflowing for the publick Use ,
And pouring out what they can never lose ;
Emptying themselves, but yet no want confess,
Cannot impair , nor cannot yet be less :
Free as the Air , and unconfin'd as Light ,
Which all enjoy , and to which all have right ;
For should they wast , or could they be inclos'd ,
Our Breath were sequestred, our Sight depos'd:
To you, that cannot be seal'd up or spent ,
We all lay claim, as to an Element .
All to your Love , or to your Care pretend;
Hope you their Patron , or wish you their Friend .
Or on your Bounty feed, and Favours live;
Or from your Int'rest their support derive.
Your Goodness chears, or Greatness all protects;
Lustre on these , or Warmth on those reflects.
Thus diff'rently illustrious you appear,
According to your different Character .
So equal both your Honours , none can say
Whether Bishop , or Baron does out-weigh.
Which does outshine, or more exalted show,
The Coronet , or Miter on your Brow .
Brave in both Shapes , and glorious in each Sphere ,
The greatest Prelate , and the greatest Peer .

Nor is your Life less comely , or less clean ,
In your Recess , than in the Publick Scene .
Those gay Adornments which enrich your Mind
Are not with Robes put off, nor yet confin'd
To the Show-day , and do no longer last
Than the Solemnity , or Pomp once past:
When all dismist , you lay aside your State,
Your Train of Virtues hold their constant wait ,
The truly Gallant keep their Court within ,
And are attended by a Train unseen .
Their Masques are secret , and their Joys unknown ;
Their greatest Triumphs are, when all alone .
What the best Prelates should be, that are You ,
(Their Orders Chief , and Orders Glory too)
Your Practice all may into Precept draw,
Your Life is Rule, and your Example , Law:
A Pattern of that Doctrine others teach.
You act their Knowledge , and by living, preach .
So sacred is that Hand! which still assists
In crowning Kings , or consecrating Priests .
So large that Heart! of which no Measure lives,
Unless your Theatre its Model gives;
Both to succeed might claim (while we applaud)
JUXON the Confessor, and Martyr LAUD .