A day entire, and night's due courfe adjourn, Man's voice commanding, ,,Sun in Gibeon ,,And thou moon in the vale of Afcalon, ,,Till Ifrael overcome;" fo call the third From Abraham, fon of Ifaac, from him His whole descent, who thus fhall. Canaan win. Here Adam interpos'd, O fent from Heav'n, 270 Inlightner of my darkness! gracious things Thou haft reveal'd; thofe chiefly which con cern Juft Abraham and his feed: now first I find Mine eyes true op'ning, and my heart much eas'd; Ere while perplex'd with thoughts, what would become Of me and all mankind: but now I fee 275 His day, in whom all nations fhall be blest; Favor unmerited by me, who fought Forbidden knowledge forbidden means. This yet I apprehend not, why to thofe, 280 Among whom God will deign to dwell on earth, So many and fo various laws are giv'n: So many laws argue Among them: To many fins how can God with such re fide? To whom thus Michael. Doubt not but that fin 285 Will reign among them, as of thee begot: 290 Some blood more precious muft be paid for man; Juft for unjust: that in fuch righteousness Of conscience; which the law by ceremonies From fhadowy types to truth; from flesh to fpirit, From impofition of ftrict laws, to free Acceptance of large grace; from fervil fear 305 To filial: works of law, to works of faith. And therefore fhall not Mofes, though of God Highly belov'd, being but the minister Of law, his people into Canaan lead; But Jofua: whom the Gentiles Jefus call; 310 His name and office bearing, who shall quell The adversary serpent; and bring back Throug the world's wilderness long wander'd man Safe to eternal Paradife of rest, Mean while they, in their earthly Canaan plac'd, 315 Long time shall dwell and prosper: but when fins National interrupt their public peace, The second, both for piety renown'd And puissant deeds, a promife fhall receive For ever fhall indure: the like shall sing 320 325 Of David, fo I name this king, fhall rife And his next fon, for wealth and wisdom fam'd, The clouded Ark of God, till then in tents Wand'ring, fhall in a glorious Temple infhrine. Such follow him as fhall be register'd 335 Part good par bad; of bad the longer scroll: Left in confufion; Babylon thence call'd. back, 345 Remembring mercy, and his cov'nant fworn To David, stablish'd as the days of heav'n.. Return'd from Babylon, by leave of kings Their lords, whom God difpos'd, the House of God They firft re-edify: and for a while 350 In mean eftate live moderate: till grown Endeavour peace: their strife brings Upon the Temple itfelf: at last they seize 355 The fceptre, and regard not David's fons: Barr'd of his right: yet at his birth a star 360 365 The pow'r of the moft High! He fhall afcend throne hereditary, and bound his The He ceas'd, difcerning Adam with fuch joy Surcharg'd, as had, like grief, been dew'd in tears, Without the vent of words; which thefe he breath'd. O prophet of glad tidings! finisher 375 Of utmost hope! now clear I understand, What oft my steadieft thoughts have fearch'd in vain: Why our great expectatiou should be call'd Thee feed of woman; Virgin Mother, hail! |