"Nor after resurrection shall he stay "Longer on earth, than certain times to appear "Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge 445 66 Baptizing in the profluent stream—the sign "Of washing them from guilt of sin to life "Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befal, "For death, like that which the Redeemer died. "All nations they shall teach; for, from that day, "Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins "Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons "Of Abraham's faith, wherever through the world: 450 "So in his seed all nations shall be blest. 455 "Then to the heaven of heavens he shall ascend "With victory, triúmphing through the air "His seat at God's right hand, exalted high "Above all names in heaven; and thence shall come, "When this world's dissolution shall be ripe, 460" With glory and power to judge both quick and dead"To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward "His faithful, and receive them into bliss, "Whether in heaven, or earth; for then the earth "Shall all be Paradise, far happier place 465"Than this of Eden, and far happier days!" 470 So spake th' archangel Michaël; then paus'd, 66 "O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense ! 475 "Whether I should repent me now of sin, "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. "But say, if our Deliv'rer up to heaven 480"Must re-ascend, what will betide the few 485 490 "His faithful, left among th' unfaithful herd, "The promise of the Father, who shall dwell "His Spirit within them; and the law of faith, 66 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; "What man can do against them, not afraid, "Though to the death; against such cruelties 495 "With inward consolations recompens'd, "And oft supported so as shall amaze "Their proudest persecutors; for the Spirit, 500 "Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue 505 "As did their Lord before them. Thus they win "With joy the tidings brought from heaven: at length, "Their doctrine and their story written left, "They die: but in their room, as they forewarn, "Wolves shall succeed for teachers-grievous wolves! "Who all the sacred mysteries of heaven 510"To their own vile advantages shall turn "Of lucre and ambition; and the truth "With superstitions and traditions taint, "Left only in those written records pure, Though not but by the Spirit understood. 515 "Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names, 520 525 530 66 Places, and titles, and with these to join "Secular power; though feigning still to act 66 By spiritual; to themselves appropriating 66 Spiritual laws by carnal power shall force "On every conscience-laws which none shall find "Whence heavy persecution shall arise "Of spirit and truth: the rest, (far greater part,) "Will deem in outward rites and specious forms 535 Religion satisfied; truth shall retire 66 "Bestruck with sland'rous darts, and works of faith Rarely be found. So shall the world go on, "To good malignant, to bad men benign; "Under her own weight groaning; till the day 540" Appear of respiration to the just, "And vengeance to the wicked, at return "The woman's Seed; obscurely then foretold; 66 Satan, with his perverted world; then raise 550 "Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love; "To bring forth fruits, joy, and eternal bliss!" He ended; and thus Adam last replied: "How soon hath thy prediction, seer blest, 66 Measur'd this transient world the race of time, 555 "Till time stand fix'd! Beyond is all abyss"Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. 560 565 "Greatly instructed I shall hence depart; 66 Greatly in peace of thought; and have my fill 66 66 Accomplishing great things-by things deem'd weak "By simply meek; that suff'ring for truth's sake 570"Is fortitude to highest victory; 575 "And, to the faithful, death the gate of life; 66 Taught this by his example, whom I now "Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest!" To whom thus also th' angel last replied: "This having learn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum "Of wisdom: hope no higher, though all the stars "Thou knew'st by name, and all the ethereal Powers "All secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, "Or works of God in heaven, air, earth, or sea, 580"And all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, "And all the rule, one empire; only add "Deeds to thy knowledge answerable; add faith; "Add virtue, patience, temperance; add love, 'By name to come call'd charity, the soul 585 66 "Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loth "A paradise within thee, happier far. "Let us descend now therefore from this top "Of speculation; for the hour precise 590"Exacts our parting hence: and see! the guards, "By me encamp'd on yonder hill, expect "Their motion; at whose front a flaming sword, "In signal of remove, waves fiercely round. "We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve; 595 "Her also I with gentle dreams have calm'd "Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd "To meek submission: thou, at season fit, 600 605 610 615 66 Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard; (With cause!) for evils past; yet much more cheer'd "With meditation on the happy end." He ended; and they both descend the hill: "Whence thou return'st, and whither went'st, I know; 66 Presaging, since with sorrow and heart's distress "Is to stay here; without thee here to stay, 66 |