ctrine of transubstantiation, the Romish Church do
reproach us with flat idolatry, in that we, not believing the real
presence in the bread and wine, yet do pay to something or other the
same adoration. Suppose the ancient pagans had declared to the
primitive Christians that the offerings of some grains of incense was
only to perfume the room--do you think the Christians would have
palliated so far and colluded with their consciences? Therefore
although the Church do consider herself so much as not to alter her
mode unto the fashion of others, yet I cannot see why she ought to
exclude those from communion whose weaker consciences cannot, for
fear of scandal, step further."[166:1]

With Parker's thunders and threats of the authority of princes and
states, Marvell deals more in the mood of a statesman than of a
philosopher, more as a man of affairs than as a jurist. He deplores the
ferocity of Parker's tone and that of a certain number of the clergy.

"Why is it," he asks, "that this kind of clergy should always be and
have been for the most precipitate, brutish, and sanguinary counsels?
The former Civil War cannot make them wise, nor his Majesty's happy
return good-natured, but they are still for running things up unto
the same extremes. The softness of the Universities where they have
been bred, the gentleness of Christianity, in which they have been
nurtured, hath but exasperated their nature, and they seem to have
contracted no idea of wisdom but what they learnt at school--the
pedantry of Whipping. For whether it be or no that the clergy are not
so well fitted by education as others for political affairs I know
not, though I should rather think they have advantage above others,
and even if they would but keep to their Bibles, might make the best
Ministers of State in the world; yet it is generally observed that
things miscarry under their government. If there be any council more
precipitate, more violent, more extreme than other, it is theirs.
Truly, I think the reason that God does not bless them in affairs of
State is because he never intended them for that employment."[167:1]

Of Archbishop Laud and Charles the First, Marvell says:--

"I am confident the Bishop studied to do both God and his Majesty
good service; but alas, how utterly was he mistaken. Though so
learned, so pious, so wise a man, he seem'd to know nothing bey