Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/134

128 to preach; but above all, how he gave a text for the 30th of January, which occasioned a most excellent sermon, the merits of which he takes entirely to himself. He gives an account of a conference he had with the vicar concerning the use of texts. Let a preacher (says he) consider the assembly before whom he preacheth, and unto them adapt his text. Micah the 3d and 11th affordeth good matter for courtiers and court-serving men. "The heads of the land judge for reward, and the people thereof judge for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us?" Were the first minister to point out a preacher before the house of commons, would not he be wise to make choice of these words? "give, and it shall be given unto ye." Or before the lords, "giving no offence that the ministry be not blamed, 2 Cor. vi. 3." Or praising the warm zeal of an administration, "who maketh his ministers a flaming fire, Psal. civ. 4." We omit many others of his texts as too tedious.]

[From this period the style of the book rises extremely. Before the next chapter was pasted the effigies of Dr. Sacheverell, and I found the opposite page all on a foam with politicks.]

We are now (says he) arrived at that celebrated year, in which the church of England was tried in the person of Dr. Sacheverell. I had ever the interest of our high-church at heart, neither would I at any season mingle myself in the societies of fanaticks, whom I from my infancy abhorred more than the heathen or gentile. It was in these days I bethought myself, that