A critic of the sacred book

From “The Progress of Error” by William Cowper

And of all arts sagacious dupes invent,
To cheat themselves and gain the world’s assent,
The worst is–Scripture warp’d from its intent...

A critic on the sacred book should be
Candid and learn’d, dispassionate and free;
Free from the wayward bias bigots feel,
From fancy’s influence, and intemperate zeal...

Whatever shocks or gives the least offence
To virtue, delicacy, truth, or sense
(Try the criterion, ’tis a faithful guide),
Nor has, nor can have, Scripture on its side.