The Bible

How very good is God ! that he hath taught
To every Christian that can hear and see
Both what he is and what he ought to be,
And how and why the saints of old have fought.
Whate'er of truth the antique sages sought,
And could but guess of his benign decree.
Is given to Faith affectionate and free,
Not wrung by force of self-confounding thought.
How many generations had gone by
'Twixt suffering Job and boding Malachi !
'Twixt Malachi and Paul — how mute a pause !
Is the book finished ? May not God once more
Send forth a prophet to proclaim his laws
In holy words not framed by human lore ?