The poetical works of Matthew Arnold/The Divinity

by Matthew Arnold

THE DIVINITY.

"Yes, write it in the rock," Saint Bernard said,
"Grave it on brass with adamantine pen!
'Tis God himself becomes apparent, when
God's wisdom and God's goodness are displayed;

For God of these his attributes is made."—
Well spake the impetuous saint, and bore of men
The suffrage captive: now not one in ten
Recalls the obscure opposer he outweighed.⁹

God's wisdom and God's goodness! Ay, but fools
Mis-define these till God knows them no more.
Wisdom and goodness, they are God!—what schools

Have yet so much as heard this simpler lore?
This no saint preaches, and this no Church rules;
'Tis in the desert, now and heretofore.