On Clergymen Preaching Politics - John Byron

[Larry Robinson]

On Clergymen Preaching Politics 

Indeed, Sir Peter, I could wish, I own,
That parsons would let politics alone; 
Plead, if they will, the customary plea, 
For such like talk, when o'er the dish of tea: 
But when they tease us with it from the pulpit, 
I own, Sir Peter, that I cannot help it. 

If on their rules a justice should intrench, 
And preach, suppose a sermon, from the bench, 
Would you not think your brother magistrate 
Was a little touched in his hinder pate? 
Now which is worse, Sir Peter, on the total 
The lay vagary, or the sacerdotal? 

In ancient times, when preachers preached indeed 
Their sermons, ere the learned learnt to read, 
Another spirit, and another life, 
Shut the church doors against all party strife: 
Since then, how often heard, from sacred rostrums, 
The lifeless din of Whig and Tory nostrums! 

'Tis wrong, Sir Peter, I insist upon't; 
To common sense 'tis plainly an affront: 
The parson leaves the Christian in a lurch, 
Whene'er he brings his politics to church; 
His cant, on either side, if he calls preaching, 
The man's wrong-headed, and his brains want bleaching. 

Recall the time from conquering William's reign, 
And guess the fruits of such a preaching vein: 
How oft its nonsense must have veered about, 
Just as the politics were in, or out: 
The pulpit governed by no gospel data, 
But new success still mending old errata. 

Were I a king (God bless me) I should hate 
My chaplains meddling with affairs of state; 
Nor would my subjects, I should think, be fond, 
Whenever theirs the Bible went beyond. 
How well, methinks, we both should live together, 
If these good folks would keep within their tether! 

     - John Byron
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