By me done and occasion'd, or rejoice 475 Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring, To God more glory, more good will to men From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. 480 His people, who defend? Will they not deal The enemies of truth? Who the shall guide Worse with his followers than with him they dealt? Be sure they will, said th' Angel; but from Heaven He to his own a Comforter will send, The promise of the Father, who shall dwell 486 His Spirit within them, and the law of faith Working through love, upon their hearts shall write, To guide them in all truth, and also arm With spiritual armour, able to resist Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts, Their proudest persecutors: for the Spirit 490 495 Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue 500 To speak all tongues, and do all miracles, As did their Lord before them. Thus they win Great numbers of each nation to receive With joy the tidings brought from Heav'n: at length Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, They die; but in their room, as they forewarn, Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names, Secular pow'r, though feigning still to act On every conscience; laws which none shall find Whence heavy persecution shall arise Of Spi'rit and truth; the rest far greater part, 505 510 516 5.20 525 530 Religion satisfy'd; truth shall retire Bestuck with sland'rous darts, and works of faith Rarely be found: so shall the world go on, To good malignant, to bad men benign, 535 540 Satan with his perverted world, then raise 550 How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest, Measur'd this transient world, the race of time, Till time stand fix'd? Beyond is all abyss, 555 Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill Of knowledge, what this vessel can contain ; £60 Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, His providence, and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, with good Still overcoming evil, and by small Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise And to the faithful death the gate of life; 565 570 To whom thus also th' Angel last reply'd: 575 Or works of God in Heav'n, air, earth, or sea, 580 Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, By name to come call'd charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath 585 To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A Paradise within thee, happier far. Let us descend now therefore from this top Exacts our parting hence; and see the guards, 590 Her also I with gentle dreams have calm'd Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard, 595 600 I hat ye may live, which will be many days, 605 .He ended, and they both descend the hill; Descended, Adam to the bow'r where Eve Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak'd; And thus with words not sad she him receiv'd: WHENCE thou return'st, and whither went'st, I know; For God is also' in sleep, and dreams advise, 611 Fresaging, since with sorrow' and heart's distress In me is no delay; with thee to go, 615 Is to stay here; without thee here to stay, Art all things under Heav'n, all places thou, I carry hence; though all by me is lost, So spake our mother Eve, and Adam heard 620 |