They trespass, authors to themselves in alk, Both what they judge and what they choose; I form'd them free, and free they must remain, 'Till they inthrall themfelves; I else must change 125 Their nature, and revoke the high decree The first fort by their own fuggestion fell, 130 By th' other first: Man therefore shall find grace, The other none: in mercy and justice both, Through Heav'n and Earth, fo fhall my glory excel, But mercy first and last shall brightest shine. Thus while God fpake, ambrofial fragrance fill'd 135 All Heav'n, and in the blessed Spirits elect Senfe of new joy ineffable diffus'd: Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Moft glorious; in him all his Father fhone Substantially express'd; and in his face Divine compaffion visibly appear'd 140 Love without end, and without measure grace, Which uttering, thus he to his Father spake. O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd Thy fov'reign fentence, that man should find grace: 145 For which both Heav'n and earth shall high extoll Thy praifes, with th' innumerable found Encompass'd, fhall refound thee ever bleft. With his own folly? that be from thee far, His end, and fruftrate thine? fhall he fulfil His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought, Or proud return, though to his heavier doom, Yet with revenge accomplish'd, and to Hell 160 Draw after him the whole race of mankind, By him corrupted? or wilt thou thyself Abolish thy creation, and unmake For him, what for thy glory thou haft made? So fhould thy goodness and thy greatnefs both 165 Be queftion'd, and blafphem'd without defence. To whom the great Creator thut reply'd:" O Son, in whom my foul hath chief delight, Son of my bofom, Son who art alone My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 170 By fin to foul exorbitant defires; Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd Their finful state, and to appease betimes 185 What may fuffice, and foften stony hearts And I will place within them as a guide hear, 195 Light after light well us'd they fhall attain, They who neglect and fcorn, fhall never tafte 205 That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; Which of ye will be mortal to redeem 210 Man's mortal crime, and juft, th' unjust to fave? Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear? 215 He afk'd, but all the heav'nly quire stood mute, And filence was in Heav'n; on man's behalf Patron or intercessor none appear'd, Much less that durft upon his own head The deadly forfeiture, and ransome set, By doom fevere, had not the Son of God, Father, thy word is past. grace; Man fhall find And fhall grace not find means, that finds her way, 239 The fpeedieft of thy winged messengers, 240 |