He and his faithless progeny. Whose fault? Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of me Such I created all th' ethereal Powers 100 And Spirits, both them who stood and them who fail'd: Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. Their will, dispos'd by absolute decree 110 115 Or high foreknowledge: they themselves decreed 108 When God gave him reason he gave him freedom to choose; for reason is but choosing. Milton's Areopagitica. 126 Both what they judge and what they choose; for so I form'd them free, and free they must remain, Till they enthrall themselves; I else must change Their nature, and revoke the high decree, Unchangeable, eternal, which ordain'd Their freedom; they themselves ordain’d their fall. The first sort by their own suggestion fell, Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: man falls deceiv'd 130 By the other first: man therefore shall find grace, The other none: in mercy and justice both, Through heav'n and earth, so shall my glory excel; But mercy first and last shall brightest shine. Thus while GoD spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd All heav'n, and in the blessed spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd. Beyond compare the Son of GOD was seen Most glorious, in him all his Father shone Substantially express'd, and in his face Divine compassion visibly appear'd, Love without end, and without measure grace; Which uttering thus he to his Father spake. 136 110 O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd 130 Father] P. Fletcher. P. Isl. c. xii. st. 81. 150 Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest son, His end, and frustrate thine? shall he fulfil 155 160 For him, what for thy glory thou hast made? As my eternal purpose hath decreed: 170 Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, Yet not of will in him, but grace in me Freely vouchsaf'd: once more I will renew 25. 175 153 that] Newton observes that this is from Genesis, xviii. 'That be far from thee,' &c. 169 Son] My Son, my only stay, My hand, my honor, and my might.' See Golding's Ovid. p. 62. His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall'd Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand 180 The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd 185 190 Th' incensed Deity, while offer'd grace Invites; for I will clear their senses dark, What may suffice, and soften stony hearts To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. And I will place within them as a guide My umpire Conscience, whom if they will hear, 195 Light after light well us'd they shall attain, And to the end persisting safe arrive. This my long sufferance and my day of grace They who neglect and scorn shall never taste; But hard be harden'd, blind be blinded more, 200 That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; ' mercy I exclude, And none but such from 176 lapsed] lapsas acuit mentes,' v. Sil. Ital. x. 606. 189 stony] Ezek. xxxvi. 26. 'I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh.' Gillies. But yet all is not done; man disobeying 205 210 Say, heav'nly Powers, where shall we find such love? Which of ye will be mortal to redeem Man's mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save? 215 Dwells in all heaven charity so dear? He ask'd, but all the heav'nly choir stood mute, And silence was in heav'n: on man's behalf Patron or intercessor none appear'd, Much less that durst upon his own head draw 220 225 Father, thy word is pass'd, man shall find grace; And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, The speediest of thy winged messengers, To visit all thy creatures, and to all Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought? 208 sacred] 'sacrate.' Bentl. MS. 230 |