{"id":126,"date":"2006-06-25T00:06:00","date_gmt":"2006-06-25T04:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rayvanneste.com\/?p=126"},"modified":"2013-07-02T11:49:14","modified_gmt":"2013-07-02T15:49:14","slug":"william-cowper-on-pretentious-primping-preachers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rayvanneste.com\/?p=126","title":{"rendered":"William Cowper on pretentious, primping preachers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the last few years I have given some attention to William Cowper and his poetry. I eventually tracked down a fairly inexpensive 19th century copy of his complete poems. I have enjoyed various parts in various ways, but had not worked my way through his long poem, The Task. However, guided by another I looked further along in the poem and found Cowper discussing some errors found in pastors of his day. I was struck by the portion I reproduce here. Wow! What a timely and stinging indictment of arrogance and pretentiousness in preachers. It reminds me a bit of George Truett’s statement about “dandy” preachers<\/a>. There is still too much of this grandstanding and we dare not imitate it. The language is older and the quote is long, but I found it helpful.<\/p>\n

In man or woman, but far most in man,
\nAnd most of all in man that ministers<\/strong>
\nAnd serves the altar, in my soul I loathe
\nAll affectation.<\/strong> ‘Tis my perfect scorn;
\nObject of my implacable disgust.
\nWhat!–will a man play tricks, will he indulge
\nA silly fond conceit of his fair form
\nAnd just proportion, fashionable mien,
\nAnd pretty face, in presence of his God?
\nOr will he seek to dazzle me with tropes,
\nAs with the diamond on his lily hand,
\nAnd play his brilliant parts before my eyes,
\nWhen I am hungry for the Bread of Life?
\nHe mocks his Maker, prostitutes and shames
\nHis noble office, and, instead of truth,
\nDisplaying his own beauty, starves his flock!
\n<\/strong>Therefore, avaunt [away], all attitude and stare
\nAnd start theatric, practised at the glass.
\nI seek divine simplicity in him
\nWho handles things divine; and all beside,
\nThough learned with labour, and though much admired
\nBy curious eyes and judgments ill-informed,
\nTo me is odious as the nasal twang
\nHeard at conventicle, where worthy men,
\nMisled by custom, strain celestial themes
\nThrough the prest nostril, spectacle-bestrid.
\nSome, decent in demeanour while they preach,
\nThat task performed, relapse into themselves,
\nAnd having spoken wisely, at the close
\nGrow wanton, and give proof to every eye–
\nWhoe’er was edified themselves were not<\/strong>.
\nForth comes the pocket mirror. First we stroke
\nAn eyebrow; next compose a straggling lock;
\nThen with an air, most gracefully performed,
\nFall back into our seat; extend an arm,
\nAnd lay it at its ease with gentle care,
\nWith handkerchief in hand, depending low:<\/p>\n

…
\nAnd thus it is. The pastor, either vain
\nBy nature, or by flattery made so, taught
\nTo gaze at his own splendour, and to exalt
\nAbsurdly, not his office, but himself<\/strong>;
\nOr unenlightened, and too proud to learn,
\nOr vicious, and not therefore apt to teach,
\nPerverting often, by the stress of lewd
\nAnd loose example, whom he should instruct,
\nExposes and holds up to broad disgrace
\nThe noblest function, and discredits much
\nThe brightest truths that man has ever seen.
\nFor ghostly counsel, if it either fall
\nBelow the exigence, or be not backed
\nWith show of love, at least with hopeful proof
\nOf some sincerity on the giver’s part;
\nOr be dishonoured in the exterior form
\nAnd mode of its conveyance, by such tricks
\nAs move derision, or by foppish airs
\nAnd histrionic mummery, that let down
\nThe pulpit to the level of the stage;<\/strong>
\nDrops from the lips a disregarded thing.
\nThe weak perhaps are moved, but are not taught,
\nWhile prejudice in men of stronger minds
\nTakes deeper root, confirmed by what they see.
\n<\/strong>A relaxation of religion’s hold
\nUpon the roving and untutored heart
\nSoon follows, and the curb of conscience snapt,
\nThe laity run wild.–But do they now?
\nNote their extravagance, and be convinced.<\/p>\n

Is this not a problem today? Isn’t showiness and display, gimmick-laden performance more appropriate to the theatre common? Indeed it is encouraged in many circles to “draw them in.” This sort of performance will garner attention and be welcomed on the bigger stage. And yet, just as Cowper says, the crowds may be moved (i.e., they may be impressed, they may shout, they may turn out to see this), but they are not taught, i.e. they do not come to know more of the Word of Christ and as a result are not changed into His image. (Is this part of why church attendance is up but the impact of the church is less?) Further, as Cowper notes, this sort of action actually turns off many who see through the self-centeredness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the last few years I have given some attention to William Cowper and his poetry. I eventually tracked down a fairly inexpensive 19th century copy of his complete poems. I have enjoyed various parts in various ways, but had not worked my way through his long poem, The Task. However, guided by another I …<\/p>\n

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