Leben Jesu and Vie de Jesus

Hail, ancient creeds! that help us to disdain
These ' Lives of Jesus; ' you, that boldly speak
Of an authentic Saviour, gracious, meek,
And wonderful, the Lamb for sinners slain;
Well, they may fret weak faith, make rebels glad,
But Oh! what honest soul can wish to see
These churches of the 'Leben ' or the ' Vie '
Get themselves towers in Christendom? how sad
Is this wild masque of Christs, that flits athwart
The world, ' lo here! lo there! ' from all the schools,
While the true Lord of glory stands apart,
And bides His welcome, as the madness cools,
When they shall greet Him with fond eyes and heart,
And test His slighted word by holier rules.