7

Here Adam interposd. O sent from Heavn, [ 270 ]

Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things

Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne

Just Abraham and his Seed: now first I finde

Mine eyes true opning, and my heart much easd,

Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom [ 275 ]

Of mee and all Mankind; but now I see

His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,

Favour unmerited by me, who sought

Forbiddn knowledge by forbiddn means.

This yet I apprehend not, why to those [ 280 ]

Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth

So many and so various Laws are givn;

So many Laws argue so many sins

Among them; how can God with such reside?

To whom thus Michael. Doubt not but that sin [ 285 ]

Will reign among them, as of thee begot;

And therefore was Law given them to evince

Thir natural pravitie, by stirring up

Sin against Law to fight; that when they see

Law can discover sin, but not remove, [ 290 ]

Save by those shadowie expiations weak,

The bloud of Bulls and Goats, they may conclude

Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man,

Just for unjust, that in such righteousness

To them by Faith imputed, they may finde [ 295 ]

Justification towards God, and peace

Of Conscience, which the Law by Ceremonies

Cannot appease, nor Man the moral part

Perform, and not performing cannot live.

So Law appears imperfet, and but givn [ 300 ]

With purpose to resign them in full time

Up to a better Covnant, disciplind

From shadowie Types to Truth, from Flesh to Spirit,

From imposition of strict Laws, to free

Acceptance of large Grace, from servil fear [ 305 ]

To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.