God gave to man that bright angelic guide,
A reasoning soul, his being's better part;—
He gave her freedom; but thou wouldst confine
And cramp her action to that creed of thine.
XXIX.
"Who binds the soul extends the reign of hell;
She's formed to err, but, erring, truth to find;
Pity her wanderings, but, O never quell
The bold aspirings of this angel blind!
God is her strength within, and bids her spell,
By outward promptings, the eternal Mind:
Long may she wander still in quest of light,
But day will dawn at last upon a polar night."
XXX.
"A dangerous tenet that!" the Elder said;
"A fallen angel doubtless she may be;
If truth she find by natural reason's aid,
It ever leads her to some heresy;
Indeed, the truth too often is betrayed
To minds ill-fitted for inquiry free;
From bad to worse, from worse to worst we go,
And end our being in eternal woe.
XXXI.
"Nature's own truths do oft the mind mislead;
From partial glimpses men will judge the whole;
And it were better if our Church's creed
Were learning's object and its utmost goal;
Reason would then no higher purpose need,
Than, by it, point the yet erratic soul
To her high hope and everlasting rest!"
Williams this heard, and spake with kindling breast:
