Page:The Hind and the Panther - Dryden (1687).djvu/48

I then affirm that this unfailing guide
In Pope and gen'ral Councils must reside;
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Both lawful, both combin'd, what one decrees
By numerous Votes, the other Ratifies:
On this undoubted Sense the Church relies.
Tis true, some Doctors in a scantier space,
I mean in each apart contract the Place.
Some, who to greater length extend the Line,
The Churches after acceptation join.
This last Circumference appears too wide,
The Church diffus'd is by the Council ty'd;
As members by their Representatives
Oblig'd to Laws which Prince and Senate gives:
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Thus some contract, and some enlarge the space;
In Pope and Council who denies the place,
Assisted from above with God's unfailing grace?
Those Canons all the needful points contain;
Their sense so obvious, and their words so plain,
That no disputes about the doubtful Text
Have, hitherto, the lab'ring world perplex'd:

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