Religion

—True religion Is always mild, propitious, and humble; Plays not the tyrant, plants no faith in blood, Nor bears destruction on her chariot-wheels; But stoops to polish, succour, and redress, And builds her grandeur on the public good.

Religion's all. Descending from the skies To wretched man, the goddess in her left Holds out this world, and, in her right, the next; Religion! the sole voucher man is man: Supporter sole of man above himself! Ev'n in this night of frailty, change, and death, She gives the soul a soul that acts a god. Religion! providence! an after-state! Here is firm footing; here is solid rock! This can support us; all is sea besides; Sinks under us; bestorms, and then devours. His hand the good man fastens on the skies, And bids earth roll, nor feels her idle whirl.

Religion! oh thou cherub heavenly bright! Of joys unmixt, and fathomless delight! Thou, thou art all; nor find I in the whole Creation aught, but God and my own soul.

Thy force alone, religion, death disarms, Breaks all his darts, and every viper charms. Soften'd by thee, the grisly form appears No more the horrid object of our fears. We undismay'd this awful power obey, That guides us thro' the safe tho' gloomy way Which leads to life, and to the blest abode, What ravish'd minds enjoy what here they own'd a God.

We grant, a train of mischiefs oft proceeds From superstitious rites and penal creeds; But view religion in her native charms, Dispersing blessings with indulgent arms, From her fair eyes what heav'nly rays are spread? What blooming joys smile round her blissful head? Offspring divine! by thee we bless the cause, Who form'd the world, and rules it by his laws; His independent being we adore, Extol his goodness, and revere his pow'r. Our wond'ring eyes his high perfections view, The lofty contemplation we pursue, 'Till ravish'd, we the great idea find, Shining in bright impressions on our mind.

Inspir'd by thee, guest of celestial race, With generous love we human kind embrace; We provocations unprovok'd receive, Patient of wrong, and easy to forgive; Protect the orphan, plead the widow's cause, Nor deviate from the line unerring justice draws.

Thy lustre, blest effulgence! can dispel The clouds of error, and the gloom of hell; Can to the soul impart etherial light, Give life divine, and intellectual sight: Before our ravish'd eyes thy beams display The op'ning scenes of bliss, and endless day; By which incited, we with ardor rise, Scorn this inferior ball, and claim the skies.

Tyrants to thee a change of nature owe, Dismiss their tortures, and indulgent grow. Ambitious conquerors, in their mad carreer. Check'd by thy voice, lay down the sword and spear. The boldest champions of impiety, Scornful of heav'n, subdu'd or won by thee, Before thy hallowed altars bend their knee. Loose wits, made wise, a public good become, The sons of pride an humble mien assume, The profligate in morals grow severe, Defrauders just, and sycophants sincere.