[Cowper by Goldwin Smith]@TWC D-Link book
Cowper

CHAPTER III
10/20

"If two angels came down from heaven to execute a divine command, and one was appointed to conduct an empire and the other to sweep a street in it, they would feel no inclination to change employments." "A Christian should never plead spirituality for being a sloven; if he be but a shoe-cleaner, he should be the best in the parish." "My principal method for defeating heresy is by establishing truth.

One proposes to fill a bushel with tares; now if I can fill it first with wheat, I shall defy his attempts." That his Calvinism was not very dark or sulphureous, seems to be shown from his repeating with gusto the saying of one of the old women of Olney when some preacher dwelt on the doctrine of predestination--"Ah, I have long settled that point; for if God had not chosen me before I was born, I am sure he would have seen nothing to have chosen me for afterwards." That he had too much sense to take mere profession for religion appears from his describing the Calvinists of Olney as of two sorts, which reminded him of the two baskets of Jeremiah's figs.

The iron constitution which had carried him through so many hardships, enabled him to continue in his ministry to extreme old age.

A friend at length counselled him to stop before he found himself stopped by being able to speak no longer.

"I cannot stop," he said, raising his voice.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books