250"Of cedar, overlaid with gold; therein "An ark, and in the ark his testimony, "The records of his covenant; over these "A mercy-seat of gold, between the wings "Of two bright Cherubim: before him burn "Seven lamps, as in a zodiac representing "The heavenly fires; over the tent a cloud "Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night, "Save when they journey: and at length they come, "Conducted by his angel, to the land "Promis'd to Abraham and his seed. 255 260 265 270 275 280 285 The rest Were long to tell; how many battles fought; "How many kings destroy'd, and kingdoms won; "Or how the sun shall in mid heaven stand still "A day entire, and night's due course adjourn, "Man's voice commanding, 'Sun, in Gibeon stand, "And thou, moon, in the vale of Aialon, "Till Israel overcome!' so call the third "From Abraham, son of Isaac; and from him "His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win." Here Adam interpos'd: 66 "O sent from Heaven, Enlight'ner of my darkness! gracious things "Mine eyes true-op'ning, and my heart much eas'd, come "Of me and all mankind; but now I see "So many 66 laws argue so many sins Among them; how can God with such reside?" 290 "Doubt not but that sin "Will reign among them, as of thee begot; "Sin against law to fight; that when they see "Save by those shadowy expiations weak, "The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude "Some blood more precious must be paid for man"Just for unjust; that, in such righteousness 295"To them by faith imputed, they may find "Justification towards God, and peace 300 "Of conscience, which the law by ceremonies 66 Perform, and not performing, cannot live. "So law appears imperfect; and but given "With purpose to resign them, in full time, "From shadowy types to truth-from flesh to spirit— "From imposition of strict laws, to free 305 "Acceptance of large grace-from servile fear "To filial-works of law to works of faith. "And therefore shall not Moses, though of God 66 Highly belov'd, being but the minister "Of law, his people into Canaan lead; 310"But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call, "The adversary-serpent, and bring back, 66 Through the world's wilderness, long wander'd man "Safe to eternal Paradise of rest. 315 "Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan plac'd, "Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins "National interrupt their public peace, "Provoking God to raise them enemies; "From whom as oft he saves them penitent, 320 "By judges first, then under kings; of whom "The second, both for piety renown'd "And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive "Irrevocable, that his regal throne "For ever shall endure; the like shall sing 325"All prophecy, that of the royal stock 330 "Of David (so I name this king) shall rise "A son-the woman's seed to thee foretold— "Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust "All nations; and to kings foretold, of kings "The last; for of his reign shall be no end. "But first, a long succession must ensue : "And his next son, for wealth and wisdom fam'd, "The clouded ark of God, till then in tents "Wand'ring, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. 335"Such follow him as shall be register'd, 340 345 350 "Part good, part bad; of bad the longer scroll; 66 Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense "With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey 66 "To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st "Left in confusion-Babylon thence call'd. "There in captivity He lets them dwell "The space of seventy years; then brings them back, 66 Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn "To David, 'stablished as the days of heav'n. "Return'd from Babylon by leave of kings "Their lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God 66 They first re-edify; and for a while "In mean estate live moderate, till, grown "In wealth and multitude, factious they grow. "But first among the priests dissension springs"Men who attend the altar, and should most 355 "Endeavour peace: their strife pollution brings Upon the temple itself: at last they seize 360 66 "The sceptre, and regard not David's sons; 365 "Unseen before in heaven, proclaims him come; 66 "To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night; "A virgin is his mother; but his sire "The Power of the Most High: he shall ascend 370 "The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 375 "With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heavens!" "Of utmost hope! now clear I understand "(What oft my steadiest thoughts have search'd in vain) "Why our great Expectation should be call'd "The seed of woman. Virgin mother, hail! 380" High in the love of heaven! Yet from my loins "Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son "Of God Most High; so God with man unites. "Needs must the serpent now his capital bruise "Expect with mortal pain: say, where and when 385"Their fight-what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel?" To whom thus Michael: "Dream not of their fight "As of a duel, or the local wounds "Of head or heel: not therefore joins the Son "Manhood to godhead, with more strength to foil 395 "Satan, whose fall from heaven (a deadlier bruise) "On penalty of death, and suff'ring death- 400 "And due to theirs which out of thine will grow : 405 "So only can high justice rest appaid. "The law of God exact he shall fulfil "Both by obedience, and by love; though love "He shall endure, by coming in the flesh "To a reproachful life, and cursed death; 66 Proclaiming life to all who shall believe "In his redemption; and that his obedience, "Imputed, becomes theirs by faith; his merits 410"To save them, not their own (though legal) works. "For this he shall live hated; be blasphem'd; 415 "Seiz'd on by force; judg'd, and to death condemn'd— "A shameful and accurs'd! nail'd to the cross 66 By his own nation; slain for bringing life; 420" But soon revives; death over him no power 425 "By faith not void of works. This god-like act 430"Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, 435 "Than temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel, |