Thus she; nor could the Panther well enlarge
With weak defence against so strong a charge;
But said:—For what did Christ his word provide,
If still his church must want a living guide?
And if all-saving doctrines are not there,
Or sacred penmen could not make them clear,
From after-ages we should hope in vain
For truths which men inspired could not explain.—
Before the word was written, said the Hind,
Our Saviour preached his faith to human kind: