4

At least our envious Foe hath faild, who thought

All like himself rebellious, by whose aid [ 140 ]

This inaccessible high strength, the seat

Of Deitie supream, us dispossest,

He trusted to have seisd, and into fraud

Drew many, whom thir place knows here no more;

Yet farr the greater part have kept, I see, [ 145 ]

Thir station, Heavn yet populous retaines

Number sufficient to possess her Realmes

Though wide, and this high Temple to frequent

With Ministeries due and solemn Rites:

But least his heart exalt him in the harme [ 150 ]

Already done, to have dispeopld Heavn

My damage fondly deemd, I can repaire

That detriment, if such it be to lose

Self-lost, and in a moment will create

Another World, out of one man a Race [ 155 ]

Of men innumerable, there to dwell,

Not here, till by degrees of merit raisd

They open to themselves at length the way

Up hither, under long obedience trid,

And Earth be changd to Heavn, & Heavn to Earth, [ 160 ]

One Kingdom, Joy and Union without end.

Mean while inhabit laxe, ye Powers of Heavn,

And by my Word, begotten Son, by thee

This I perform, speak thou, and be it don:

My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee [ 165 ]

I send along, ride forth, and bid the Deep

Within appointed bounds be Heavn and Earth,

Boundless the Deep, because I am who fill

Infinitude, nor vacuous the space.

Though I uncircumscribd my self retire, [ 170 ]

And put not forth my goodness, which is free

To act or not, Necessitie and Chance

Approach not mee, and what I will is Fate.

So spake th Almightie, and to what he spake

His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect. [ 175 ]

Immediate are the Acts of God, more swift

Then time or motion, but to human ears

Cannot without process of speech be told,

So told as earthly notion can receave.