| The Book thus put in every vulgar hand, | |
| Which each presum’d he best cou’d understand, | |
| The Common Rule was made the common Prey; | |
| And at the mercy of the Rabble lay. | |
| The tender Page with horney Fists was gaul’d; | |
| And he was gifted most that loudest baul’d; | |
| The Spirit gave the Doctoral Degree, | |
| And every member of a Company | |
| Was of his Trade and of the Bible free. | |
| Plain Truths enough for needfull use they found; | |
| But men wou’d still be itching to expound; | |
| Each was ambitious of th’ obscurest place, | |
| No measure ta’n from Knowledge, all from GRACE. | |
| Study and Pains were now no more their Care; | |
| Texts were explain’d by Fasting and by Prayer: | |
| This was the Fruit the private Spirit brought; | |
| Occasion’d by great Zeal and little Thought. |
