Classic Poem

Art thou offended, because thou dost see
Eldad and Medad both to prophesie
Within the camp, although they came not neer
The tabernacle, nor inabled were
Til th' instant by the Spirit? Do not say,
Moses forbid them; rather wish and pray
That all God's people prophets were; for so
The meekest man on earth Moses did do.
But when an Ignoramus shall professe
Himself a prophet, and inspir'd no lesse
Then Moses and Elias, and pretend
The Spirit is on him, to no other end
Then to foment a faction, and decry
All learning in the University:
When that mechanick fellows from their trade
Shall Aaron's office offer to invade,
And mount the pulpit, publickly expound
The sacred Scripture, though they have no ground
For what they say, but meerly what proceeds
From spleen or fancie; so they sow their weeds
I'th' furrowes of weak hearts, which grow apace,
Choaking the good seed and the herbs of grace
Sowne by the ministers of God before,
'Tis time, high time, that they be bid give o're,
And that with Joshua we cry, ‘My Lord
Moses, forbid them to abuse God's Word.’
But if both we and Moses silent are,
And none the madnesse of these prophets dare
Reprove, either the simple asse will do't—
The vulgar sort—and spurne them with his foot,
Scorning to learn of them who nothing know,
But what they bring from shopboard or from plough,
Or else let them expect their doome to hear
From God's own mouth—which the worst judgment were—
These prophets run, yet them I have not sent;
I have not spoken to them, yet they went
And prophesied deceits, even in My name;
I am against them, therefore to their shame,
And wil confound all those that lies do teach;
No more, my people, do you hear such preach;
But seek the Word at their mouths who are wel
Train'd up at feet of learn'd Gamaliel,
Elisha's double portion will inherit,
Being call'd both by the Church, and by the Spirit,
Who can, My holy mysteries unfold,
And forth their treasures bring things new and old,
Who can confirm their truths by strength of reason
Mercy and judgment sing, each in their season;
That can their several portions give to all,
Humble the proud, and raise up them that fall;
Have milk for babes, and meat for stronger men,
Can teach both by their preaching and their pen;
Prune the luxuriant, prop the weaker plants,
Have fords for lambs, and depths for elephants.
The men thus qualified, are those I send,
To such, and only such you must attend.