Law v. Gospel

THE Gospel and the Law of late
Have been at sad dissension
Before the Judge and Magistrate :
Old Satan's last invention.
Of course the Law upholds the Law,
The Gospel over-ruling ;
And those who have St. Paul in awe
Must seek more modern schooling.

The Gospel says, Swear not at all ;
The Law, or good or bad law,
Says, You must swear, whate'er befall,
Or else I fine you, Bradlaugh.
Whereon he goes and swears himself
In solemn legal banter ;
His fellow-members on the shelf
Deposit him instanter.

And then we have that narrow sect
Of most Peculiar People,
Who by the Book their way direct,
And not by the Church steeple.
They read how Asa sought not God,
But doctors, being sickly ;
And therefore slept beneath the sod
With his forefathers quickly.

St. James enjoins, When one is ill,
Send for an elder straightway ;
Anoint and pray (no doctor's bill !)
And thus elude Death's gateway.
So said so done ; and then report
Of death of son or daughter,
And parents sentenced by the Court
To prison for manslaughter.

The Army of Salvation —
Our equal-minded justice fret
With constant botheration :
For sometimes they obstruct the way,
And sometimes cause a riot ;
Too much of zeal — too much, we say,
Why can't the fools keep quiet ?
The dean and canons in their stalls
Are placid as stalled cattle,
And never rush out from St. Paul's
To give the devil battle.
In streets and lanes to brawl and fight
Is far too low and rowdy ;
No, if he wants a spar, invite
Him home to Mrs. Proudie.

On Tuesday, March, the fourteenth day,
Before Sir Thomas Owden,
A youth was brought who blocked the way,
Already over-crowden —
Threadneedle-street — the wild War Cry,
This well-dressed youth was selling :
A camel and a needle's eye —
The rest requires no telling.

Sir Thomas said he understood
How men in shabby raiment,
To get a living, bad or good,
Should do this thing for payment ;
But he could never understand
How any young man, dressed all
In decent clothes, could join the band,
Like this young Henry Restall.

" It's not to get a living, sir,"
This youth spoke fast and faster ;
" I have been called to minister —
I work for God, my Master."
Sir Thomas answered (much I grieve
If you don't find it ban sens),
He never could be made believe
In such outrageous nonsense.

This hardened youth he made reply,
"We have reformed some thousand
Poor drunkards ; " Sir T. winked full sly,
And sneezing sneered, " Der Tausend!"
And for a fortnight did remand,'
Upon his good behaviour,
That youth, who now should understand
He mustn't cry his Saviour.

Just think of Simon Peter thus,
And all the zealous dozen,
Brought up before Asinius,
Our Owden's great fore-cousin.
He would have quickly stopped their prate
We should have no Archbishop Tait,
No pious House of Commons !
Tis true they were but fishermen
And suchlike, poor and humble ;
And thus might earn a living then
Approved by every Bumble.
But preach a Gospel not for pelf !
Absurd to Owden thinkers ! —
Just keep your Good News to yourself,
And cease reforming drinkers !