The plumber and the gasfitter
They do a worthwhile task.
They have a goodly knowledge
And will tell you if you ask.
Some men, they do the greatest jobs,
And some men do the least.
But some men's jobs do not exist;
The Vicar and the Priest.
For neither title must be used
In ways not meant by God.
So read on, and you'll see this view
Is not so very odd.
The apostle Peter is quite clear:
The Christian who's the least
Is part of this great nation
He describes as "Kings and Priests."
There is no priest above the priest,
Between the priest and Christ.
The high Priest is our Jesus,
And himself the sacrifice.
So every Christian is a priest,
And every one a saint.
But the false priests robes and vestments
Are the sepulchre's white paint.
Now, Vicar is vicarious
(In someone else's place)
And whose place do you think they take?
But His, the Lord of Grace.
And if they stand not in His stead,
In whose stead do they stand?
Yet they will stand 'til judgement day,
Then face God's reprimand.
"Holy and Reverend is HIS NAME,"
Of God this word was spoken.
Why, then, use this word for men?
And use it as a token?
Our fathers we all reverence,
The Word of God does say.
But we don't call them "reverend"
And cause our God dismay.
"I won't give flattering titles"
Said Job, the righteous man.
So why, then, do we issue them
As widely as we can?
Job won't give flattering titles
For his Maker would take him away.
Let us not accept all these titles,
For God is no different today.
HKPywell 5.4.1995