Poems in Two Parts, Poem – Title page 2
A DISCOURSE CONCERNING The Creation, Fall and Recovery of Man.
Iehovah Elohim.
I Am that which I am; this is His Name,
Who happy always is, always the same.
He Essence and Existence owes to none.
Whom can he owe it to, being God alone?
Himself he his own happiness doth call;
What can he want, who in himself hath all?
Both life and light, and love, and every thing,
Which may delight and satisfaction bring.
Of company there is no want, for he
Hath in himself a Blessed Trinity.
Before the World was, he was not alone;
He then was, and is still full Three in One.
And in this happy, that the Trinity
Doth not divide his perfect Unity,
For the Three Persons are one Essence still,
One therefore in affection, one in will.
The Son set up from everlasting, is
His Father's great delight, the Father his.
Before him always he rejoiceth, he
Causeth and findeth matchless joy to be.
The Spirit too, which doth from them proceed,
Doth the same joy both feast upon, and feed.
But though no want of any thing could be
Consistent with his sacred Deity;
His Goodness did not love to stay at home,
Communications did it become.
He did no Heaven need, is his own place;
Yet for th' eternal glory of his Grace,
Heaven he fram'd, and Earth, both by a word
Of power; in both he is the Soveraign Lord.
Above, he Angels plac'd, who all once shone
As Morning-Stars about that Glorious Throne,
On which he sits an everlasting Sun,
Whose influence and beams can ne're be done.
A Law to them he gave, that Law some brake,
And down he kickt them to the burning Lake;
Where they in everlasting chains shall lie;
Wishing for death, though they can never die.
Yet Heaven is not empty, for although
Many did fall, many do stand, who do
Attend upon him: Thousands▪ yea, and more,
Ten thousand times ten thousand do adore
His Majesty with veiled face, and sing
In th' highest glory to their God and King.
But besides Angels, he from Earth did take
A despicable clod, and of it make
A Creature, whom he nobly did endue
With Will and Understanding, and did shew
In him his own Image; than Angels less
He was but little, for with Holiness
God did invest him, and resolv'd to make
Him of ne're-ending happiness partake:
And with his chosen Progeny to fill
His stately Palace, his most holy Hill.
So he resolv'd, so did, and formed man,
One and no more; in one the World began.
Of dust he formed him, dust of the ground;
Yet he with Honour him, and Glory crown'd▪
His own similitude he gave him, and
Sov'raign authority for to command
Fishes of Sea, with Fowls, and Beasts of sield,
Who all obedience unto him must yield.
And having made him for his pleasure-sake,
He commun'd with him, and thus to him spake.
GOD.
Adam who art my Workmanship, know, thou
Unto none shalt, but thy Creator bow.
Others shall bow to thee, thee I have given
All things that are under the cope of Heaven.
The world is thy dominion; but my love
Hath for thy Court chosen this pleasant Grove;
Eden I call't, a Garden where thou hast
Varieties to please both eye and tast.
One fruit alone's with-held, and therefore see,
Thou do not venture once to taste that Tree
Which knowledg doth of Good and Evil give,
Forbear to taste it, as thou hop'st to live.
I, who am Truth it self, and cannot lie,
Say, In the day thou eatest, thou shalt die.
Death 'tis I threaten, therefore have a care;
Who e're shall tempt thee to't, Adam beware.
All other fruits I give thee for thy meat,
Of them thou hast free leave freely to eat.
Be then content, if this thou tastest, sin
Will draw the latch, and so grim Death comes in.
ADAM.
O God my Maker, I do thee adore
For mine own being, and this bounteous store:
Which thou providest hast, O let my love
Always flame high to thee my God above.
Yet grant me leave to speak, and make my moan
Unto thy gracious ear: I am alone,
In midst of comforts comfortless, since I
My days do pass without society.
Whatever creatures in the world there are,
Of each sort of them I do find a pair.
Which I together see associate,
And sweetly please themselves, each in his Mate.
But betwixt me and them's disparitie;
No pleasure therefore, 'cause no harmonie.
Man should not turn a bruit, and no bruit can
Be a companion suitable to man.
GOD.
Canst not thou find pleasure enough alone?
What Prince would have another in his Throne?
Look round about thee, see, how I have made
Others to serve, and thee to be obey'd.
On thee shall all attend, from thee take Law,
And of thee every one shall stand in awe.
Before thee they shall come to sport and play,
And various delights yield every day.
Names thou hast given them, and so dost know
Their nature: and their duty they know too.
Be satisfied then, and mind my charge,
Great are thy comforts, thy dominion large.
Besides, look up to me, I am alone,
From everlasting beside me is none.
Heaven view, & Skie, with Sea, & Earth, and Air,
And who is there that can with me compare?
All Creatures I have made, and all to me
Be more inferior than they are to thee.
Yet be assured, that I do possess
In mine own self most perfect happiness.
ADAM.
Lord, pardon me, thy dust, if I reply,
And once more speak unto thy Majesty.
I cannot comprehend thee, but admire
Thy glorious being, and thou art still higher
Than is mine admiration; thou above▪
My highest thoughts art placed, or my love.
In thee do all perfections abound,
No one deficiency in thee is found.
In essence, Lord, I know, thou art but one
Yet being all in all, thou needest none.
In thy self thou hast all, so have not I.
A creature cannot grasp Infinity
Of bliss and happiness in its own arms,
And therefore cannot but look out for charms,
And beauties, and delights; one that may be
Fit to serve God, fit to converse with me.
One that may be my com…ort every way,
My help at all times, both in night and day.
GOD.
Adam, thou know'st me God, who do full well
My Creatures understand, and who can tell
Whatever may thought necessary be
To render perfect thy felicity.
I Information do need from none,
But knows it's bad for man to be alone.
And among all my Creatures do not see
One that is a companion meet for thee.
My bounty hath run over, ne'retheless
My bounty to thee I'le yet more express.
All that I do intend, thou hast not yet
Received from my gracious hand; it's fit
My pleasure thou should'st wait, but Adam know,
What is my purpose, what for thee I'le do.
To work again I will, one I will make,
In whom thou pleasure and delight maist take.
Into a comely body I'le inspire
A noble Soul, which to thy hearts desire
Shall most completely suit, and I will bring
Her to thee, and in her thou every thing
Most lovely and desirable shalt find,
All that's now wanting to thy craving mind.
For with a deep sleep I thine eyes will close,
And bind thy senses up: and not unlose
That bond again, until out of thy side
A Rib I take, and of it make a Bride.
I will a rib take, flesh and spirits warm,
And vital blood, without doing thee harm.
For th' operation shall cause no pain,
And when it's done, I'le heal the wound again.
This Rib thus taken out, I my self will
Form curiously by mine own power and skill
Into an humane creature, thou shalt see
Thy soul and body in her sampled be.
Sex only shall be diff'rent, all things fair
In her thou shalt conclude contained are.
From her converse thou maist receive new store
Of pleasing sweets thou didst not know before.
No sooner said than done; Adam, see here
A Virgin for thee, a companion dear.
ADAM.
Blessed Creator, of thine own good will,
Heaven and Earth with goodness thou dost fill.
On all thy works great beauty is imprest,
But of all Fairs, this fair one is the best.
My self I in her see, bone of my bone,
Flesh of my flesh she is, my lovely one.
Woman she shall be called, because she
Extracted was from man, even from me.
And for this cause he shall most gladly leave
Father and Mother, and to's Wife shall cleave.
Let nothing their joint-happiness controul,
For they one flesh shall be, one heart and soul.
GOD.
Adam consider well, and throughly know,
What love, praise, and obedience thou dost owe
Unto me thy Creator, who did rear
Thee out of dust, and then inclin'd mine ear.
To thy request, and gave thee one that might
Make great addition unto thy delight.
Now have a care, sin not, but stand in awe.
Do not thou disobey me; and the Law
I gave thee think upon. Do not thou eat
Of that one tree, its fruit is deadly meat.
In framing of thy Wife, I've done my part,
She hath thine image, and thou hast her heart.
Act thou thy part also, thou art the Head;
It becomes thee to lead, her to be led.
She is to help thee, and with thee to live;
But counsel and advice are thine to give.
More wisdom therefore I on thee confer,
Use but that wisdom, and thou wilt not err,
Or wander from the path of life. Be thou
Her guide, for such I do ordain thee now.
She is a lovely Creature, therefore she
Deserveth love and cherishing from thee.
In a just ballance yet be sure to weigh
With her thy self, and do not overlay
Her worth with thy esteem. The greatest grace
Attends not always on the sweetest face.
The side from whence she came, keep thou her by,
And over her a tender watchful eye.
Let her not from thee go, lest she alone
Be by another, thou by her undone.
Thus have I set thee up, thus I advise,
My charge do not forget, Adam be wise.
ADAM.
Come, dearest Consort, of my self a part,
Who of me formed wast, who hast my heart:
By our Creators gift, Eve, thou art mine;
And by bond-conjugal I too am thine.
May nothing, nothing, nothing ever be
Cause of disquiet unto thee or me.
Look round about thee, all things here below
Are subject unto us, to us they owe
Obedience, and we to God above,
All whose commands speak him a God of love.
For present there is none but thou and I,
But he hath said, Increase and multiply.
While we do live, let us rejoice together;
Yea, let us still rejoice one in another;
Yet most in God himself, for he will be,
If we sin not, ours to eternitie.
He hath this Garden given us to tend,
We must both dress and keep it; we must bend
Our labours that way: but our labour will
Breed us no pain nor weariness, but still
Our recreation prove; this blest estate,
In which we are, hath nothing to abate
Our full-grown pleasures; here will be no let
Of sickness, tyring none, no grief nor sweat.
See what variety of trees God made
For our use and delight: Now in the shade
Of this we'l sport together, then at root
Of that we'l sit, then go and pluck the fruit
Of one and other freely; there's no fear,
No none at all, of catching surfeits here.
Avoid the Tree forbid, and then there's none,
But we may feed upon, all are our own.
EVE.
Our lines are fallen well; we with delight
May feast in day, and then may rest at night
In sweet embraces. Our great Lord thought meet
T' appoint a place of pleasures for our seat.
As for our work, we may not quarrel it,
Since by him ordered, by whom 'tis fit
All things should order'd be, because all made;
His will, whate're it is, must be obey'd.
And therefore, Adam, let us up and do
The work which our Creator set us to▪
And if you do consent, we'l part a while,
And work asunder, because every smile
Which passeth us between, will prove a let,
Taking us off from business; when we get
Alone, our work we follow harder may,
And comfortably end it with the day.
Continual enjoyment may abate
Sweetness, so that we may it nauseate.
A little absence now and then will prove
Sauce to our dainties, fewel to our love.
When after that we two again do meet,
We shall with fresh delight each other greet.
ADAM.
Silence, my Dearest, I cannot abide
To think thou shouldst be absent from my side.
Because our business doth not call away,
We may dispatch it, and together stay.
We were not made to toil, but work with pleasure,
And so may do what's to be done at leisure.
Nor will some distance more advance our joy,
For in this state communion can't annoy.
Fruition in Heaven's always full,
And yet delight in Heaven never's dull.
And prithee tell me why it mayn't be so
On Earth too, in a Paradise below.
But more, my Love, I fear lest thou shouldst be
In danger, when out of my companie▪
For though we Happiness our own may call,
Yet there is possibility of fall.
Angels in Heaven did sin, and Heaven did lose,
And then became of God and man the foes.
God they grudg honour, and us happiness,
Endure they cannot that we should possess
An Heaven now on Earth, nor that at last,
We should that Heaven have whence they were cast.
And therefore doubtless some of them will try,
Us two to bring to endless misery.
Our frame they know, that we were made of dust;
And if that we should sin, we again must
Unto the dust return, whence we were taken,
Being of God and Happiness too forsaken.
Malicious spirits they are, and understand
How any base design to take in hand,
And how to manage it; they full well know,
Which way will take best, whether so, or so.
'Tis true, they cannot force us, we may chuse
Whether we'l yield unto them or refuse.
Both these are in our power; never can
The power of Hell compel the will of man.
And I do know, my Love, that thou art wise;
But I know too, there may be a surprise.
My God made thee, because I was but one,
He saw it was not good to be alone;
Wherefore since for my comfort thou wast made,
Do not depart from my securing-shade.
Thy honour and thy safety both do lie
In keeping in thy Husbands companie.
When we together are, my help thou't be,
And I shall give protection unto thee.
EVE.
What means all this, my Lord? doth Jealousie
(That bane of conjugal Society)
Peep up already in thy breast? dost fear
My faithfulness to God or thee? To hear
Ought to this purpose I expected not;
Unto mine Honour it's a stain, a blot.
Since force and violence cannot prevail,
Fraud and enticements sure shall not avail.
Since I was framed by the hand of Heaven,
What have I done? or what occasion given?
What hast thou found either in look or word,
Or in one single carriage, which afford
Ground of suspicion may? I pray thee tell;
For me, I know, thou hast observed well.
I from thy side was without fault transmitted
Into thy bosome, and have I committed
Any fault since? If thou dost answer, None,
Let me know why I may not be alone.
ADAM.
Sweet Creature, made by God, and made of me:
Who under God art my felicity,
My Love, my Second-self, my Hearts delight,
In whom I do rejoyce both day and night.
Think not that I would an Inditement draw
Against thee, for I cannot, there's no flaw
In thy perfections, but thou dost stand
A Creature worthy of thy Makers hand.
No spot in thy most perfect beauty is,
Nothing at all in thee I find amiss,
Nor yet in thy deportments; thou dost do
Nothing but what becomes, and pleaseth too.
And may this still continue, may that grace
Rest always on thy brow, that lovely face
Never be veiled with a blush for shame,
Let blemish never light upon thy name.
But though thou art, through innocency, fair,
Yet thou art mutable, so we both are.
And ere we are aware of it, may fall,
And thereby ruine both our selves and all
From us that shall proceed. One fatal blow
May us and our posterity undo.
Wherefore I judg it needful to unite
Our strength and reason, that we may keep right
What we have found so; if we stay together,
We may hold bravely up, and all storms weather.
Should an Assailant come, then would I be
To thee a Monitor, and thou to me.
If thou be wise, this counsel thou wilt hear,
And follow, mov'd with love, nay mov'd with fear.
But if for all this, Eve, thou hast a mind
Alone to go, and wouldst not be confin'd
Unto thy Husbands Elbow; if to try
A combat single with an Enemy
Do seem more glorious, than in the field
To have a Second that some help may yield;
Unwillingly I condescend, you may
Go, only God be with thee all the day.
Go in thy strength, thy native innocence,
And may integrity be thy defence.
Consider what thou art, and whose, and why,
These things considering, do not comply
With a temptation, that would withdraw
Thee from thy duty, but then stand in awe.
God and his threatning fear with all thy heart;
To fear him is from evil to depart.
Of Virtues thou art full, summon them all,
If need be; to thy help me also call.
EVE.
Having obtained leave, away I'le go,
And arm'd with uprightness not dread a foe.
Likely it is, we are more nice than wise,
What mischief can lurk in a Paradise?
Surely the envious one will never bend
Hither his steps, where Angels do attend
Upon us as a Guard. Or if to vex
Man be his choice, me thinks the weaker Sex
He should not first attempt. So great a foe
Will think it scorn for him to stoop so low.
But say he should, He's fall'n, Why may not I
With ease resist a fallen enemy?
SATAN.
I now that opportunity have met,
Which I so much have long'd for, and will set
My trap immediatly; for in my pain
Nothing can ease me unless her I gain;
Not for a Spouse: Carnal embraces do
Not with Angelic Beings suit. We, who
Have nothing terrene in us, soar much higher,
And unto things more noble do aspire.
It's for a slave I'd have her, that she may
Fry in Hell-flames with me another day.
Lovely she is: But what is that to me?
Before my fall I fairer was than she.
And since revenge I do resolve, I must
No beauty like, but as it draws to lust.
What God and man doth please, doth me offend;
I shall by spoiling that attain my end.
That soul shall lose its rectitude, that face
Shall be devested of its comely grace;
And when I have once drawn her into sin,
How shall I laugh to see what case She's in?
Among the creatures I have been to chuse
An instrument, by whom I may abuse
This new-made couple, and find none so meet
As is the Serpent for this devillish cheat.
Of beasts he is most subtle, the whole field
Doth not another half so crafty yield.
With him my self I now incarnate will,
And in a Serpent be a Devil still.
It matters not though I my self abase,
So I Gods image may in man deface.
This Serpent then I'le use my mind to break;
He, taught by me, thus unto Eve shall speak.
SERPENT.
Lady Supreme, unto whose great command,
We all are subject, and obedient stand.
Vouchsafe a pardon to me, who am bold
Your presence thus to enter, and behold
With ravisht spirit, and with humbled eye
Your person which resembles Deity.
Put on a smile, and do not that brow bend.
Where Majesty and Love seem to contend.
I was created dumb, but do rejoyce,
That now I can with an articulate voice,
Applaud the charms of thy beauty Divine,
And tell thee I by gift and love am thine.
Yea so are all things else, and were there more,
They all thy beauty always would adore.
Yet they of me fall short, for lately I
Some distance hence did happily espy
A goodly tree laden with fruit, which might
Tempt the most dull and sluggish appetite.
I had no sooner seen it, but my mind
Was for a tast sharp set. So I did wind
About the body of it, and at last
I did get up; being so, I could not cast
Mine eye on any twig, but I did meet
With numberless temptations to eat.
Restrain my self I could not any more;
Sin it was not to eat, where was such store.
Venture therefore I did, and don't repent,
For I return much better than I went.
Here is my former shape, my former skin,
But there's great alteration made within.
The strings that once my tongue ti'd, now are loos'd,
Into my mind a glorious light's infus'd.
I that before was beast throughout, now can
Hear, and discourse, and understand like man.
When upon me this great effect was wrought,
Duly I it considered, and thought
It crime unpardonable should I smother
Such an advantage, and acquaint no other
With what my self had found. 'Twas in my heart,
Good groweth better when we it impart.
My Lord I dar'd not tell of this. His brow
Is with such Majesty array'd, we bow
Before him all amaz'd; without dispute,
His very look will strike a speaker mute.
But from thy milder aspect I did take
Encouragement humble address to make,
And tell thee what I find. This is the Tree,
Which in a moment wrought this change in me.
If such a Servitor would please, in haste
I'd up again, and fetch you down a taste.
Do it your self, sweet Lady, look up, and
Gather an Apple with your lilly-hand.
Had I but ought to pawn, it pawn would I,
That eating would advance you; Lady, try.
EVE.
Serpent, thou mightst of thus discoursing me
Have sav'd thy self the labour. 'Tis a Tree,
We are forbidden; thou may'st go and boast
What good thou foundest, to the numerous host
Of creatures lately made, and let them try,
If eating of it will them edifie,
As thee it seems it did; what is thy gain,
Should I tast too, would surely be my bane.
Our great Creator did by words express,
Command us to forbear, and ne'rtheless
Would'st thou have me to meddle? Shall a Law
So strict be given, and I not stand in awe?
Is disobedience the way to rise?
Or can sin be the way to become wise?
What e're advantage this Tree hath thee brought
I do conclude thy counsel now is naught.
SERPENT.
My Sovereign Mistris, I thy pardon crave,
If I in any thing offended have.
For that offence did from pure love proceed,
And love deserves a pardon when there's need.
With mine own gain I could content have stood,
Had I not zealously desir'd thy good.
At what else could I aim? As for this Tree,
I could have kept its virtues hid from thee.
Yea, had I thought its fruit forbid, sure I
Should not have dar'd to cross that Majesty
Whose great creating-Word did being give
To thee and me, and by whose Word we live.
Your patience yet most humbly I implore,
And beg you would consider well, before
You positively determine any thing
In this one case. Unto your mind first bring
What God indeed did say, so you may see
You're under some mistake; I will be free.
Did he say, Madam, did he say; indeed,
On all these Garden-trees ye shall not feed?
Did he not constitute you Lords of all?
Hath he not made you owners general
Of Fish, and Fowl, and Beasts? Did he not give
Unto you all things that on earth do live?
And all the herbs that bear seed in the field,
With fruit of all Trees too that seed do yield?
And hath he after all excepted one,
Bounding thereby your vast Dominion?
Have you at last a confin'd liberty?
Freedom that is not, where all is not free.
EVE.
I well remember what our Lord did say,
As well as if he spoken had to day.
We may the fruit eat of all Trees that do
Within this most delightful Garden grow.
But for the fruit of this Tree, which doth stand
In th' midst of Garden, this is his command,
This, I am sure he said, for I was by,
Ye shall not eat, nor touch it, lest ye die.
And though, what Death is, I as yet can't tell,
I judg, that Death containeth in it Hell.
SERPENT.
Lo here the reason of a rigid Law,
Meerly to keep inferiors in awe.
Did God say thus, when ye do eat ye dye?
Look down and see that threat a foppery.
See't so in me, a kind of pious cheat;
I live, and yet I of that Tree did eat.
Nay that my eating quickly was attended
By nobler life than e're was me intended.
The best was thee design'd, sure then at least,
Eat thou maist what is eaten by a beast.
Shake off vain fear, I tell thee, even I,
What e're he said, surely ye shall not die.
For God himself doth know it, what day ye
Do eat thereof, your eyes shall open'd be.
Yea, unto gods ye shall be like, for so
Both what is good and evil ye shall know.
Good, the more known it is, the more enjoy'd;
By knowing evil, you may it avoid.
And doth not this invite? Knowledg is one,
Nay a great part of Gods perfection.
With it you should be filled, since the fates
Have made you Universal Potentates.
For he that is advanc'd to highest Rule,
Should be at furthest distance from a Fool.
Nor can your knowledg hurt God, if he be,
As we suppose, from imperfection free.
He knoweth all things, sure; and what if you,
Who bear his Image, be made knowing too?
When your eyes opened are, you will thereby
Resemble him the more who is all eye.
But why should we more words thus spend in waste?
Stretch out thy hand, gather, and freely taste.
That tasting will us change, but with these odds,
Me it makes like to you, you like to Gods.
EVE.
What time of day is it? Hath the swift Sun
His morning up-hill-course already run?
Me-thinks I feel a sharpned appetite,
Which calls for food, and this Tree doth invite
To come and eat thereof. If I compare
All Fruits together, there is none more rare
Presents it self in th' Garden, none so well
Doth with its fragrancy delight my smell.
And sure some hidden virtues in it lie,
Concealed hitherto from human eye
And understanding, yea the very name,
God gave it, doth greatly confirm the same:
Himself the Tree of knowledg did it stile,
Can such a Tree destroy? can it defile?
Besides experience good now hath me taught,
This lovely Tree was not design'd for nought
But a shew only, for one taste did raise
And teach a creature dumb to speak its praise.
Which is an argument, I shall not dye,
The Serpent eat and dy'd not, why should I?
Are only we restrain'd? Death only found
Us two to fright, and keep us within bound?
Was this rare fruit designed for a beast?
And must we die the death, if taste the least?
I'le not believe it, I will take and trie,
Yea, and taste too, although I taste and die.
But if when I have eaten I do live,
And like, I will some unto Adam give.
ADAM.
My Dear, where hast thou spent so many hours?
What work could thee detain? what pleasant
Could keep thee from me? or what could supply bow'rs
Thy Husbands room so long? for certain I
Did greatly miss thee, and do find it true,
Upon this earth is nothing like to you.
Nor only so, for I did strangely find
A discomposure in my thoughts and mind,
Which boded ill, methought, a sudden blow
Was given, though by what hand I did not know.
The earth beneath did tremble, and withall,
Off from their trees the fading leaves did fall;
Upon a sudden beauty left their fruit,
And all the pretty warbling birds stood mute.
Some creatures fearful grew, and others fierce,
Their looks were stern. Eve, I cannot rehearse
All that I did observe: My blood waxt chill,
My heart misgave me, there was something ill
Had fallen out; and though I had e'en wove
Of choicest flowers a Garland for my love,
Out of my hands I threw it, would not stay
A minute longer, but did come away.
In haste to find thee, glad to meet thee here.
How dost thou feel thy self, how is't my dear?
EVE.
It never better was, never so well,
Unless I judg amiss, since I could tell
What Being means. Thy company indeed
Most sorely I did miss, and shall take heed
Of future absence; for I felt such pain
Upon that score, I would not feel again.
But that which me detain'd so long was this:
The subtle Serpent (who advanced is
Unto a nobler state than what he had,
And is of that advancement very glad)
Most humbly came, desirous to acquaint
Me with his change, and did most sweetly paint
In lively colours virtues of that tree
Which you and I by God forbidden be
A taste of. This he did in humane voice,
With words that were most eloquent and choice.
This secret, not being selfish, but most free,
Others should with him share, he did to me
Kindly impart, and withal much perswade
Me for to take and eat —
ADAM.
Ah! but I hope he did perswade in vain.
My Dearest tell me, for I am in pain
To know thee issue—
EVE.
My Lord, he did perswade, and did prevail
I saw, I took, I eat. What wil't avail
Now to deny the fact; neither despise
Me for what's done, much clearer are mine eyes,
Scales off did fall, my mind is more sublime,
Than e're I found it was before this time.
My spirits are dilated, my thoughts flie
Hither and thither with full libertie,
All my affections are rais'd, I do
Conclude my self a kind of Goddess too.
ADAM.
My soul is troubled; thou hast troubled me,
Who formed wast my Comforter to be.
Upon me hath amazement taken hold;
My joints are loosed all; and horror cold
Runs through my veins, this 'tis to be undone
By her that is my dear and only one.
Oh! that I ever suffer'd thee to go
Alone, expos'd alone unto thy so.
Had I deny'd thee then, I had not now
Known those sad sinking sorrows which I do.
Lately thou wast most lovely and most sweet,
In thee did all create Perfections meet.
But now thou art defac'd, thou now art lost,
Which will a thousand, thousand sorrows cost.
Oh! hadst thou ne'er been made, or being made,
Wouldst have my counsel given thee, obey'd.
Poor ruin'd Eve! for I must change my note,
What e're thou think'st, thou art to death devote.
Thy wound's incurable, who can it heal?
God never will the sentence past repeal.
EVE.
Did I feel what thou fearest, I would be
Alone a victim to that Deitie
Which thou supposest angry, and so end
All that displeasure thou dost apprehend.
But whence these fears? I pray and pray again,
That thou wouldst tell me. Is not the case plain?
The Serpent did eat first, afterward I,
And we do live, why shouldest thou then die
If thou shouldst eat? but grant it, hadst not rather,
If die we must, that we die both together?
Where is thy love? or where thy noble heart?
Art thou afraid to die? shall death us part?
But where, where is he, if his fatal blow
Must cut me off, why don't he strike it now?
Come let me hug thee in my tender arm,
And so infolded fear not any harm.
I tell thee, and with twenty kisses seal
The truth of these my words, I ne'r did feel
Such extasies of joy as did insue
My tasting of that tree. Taste thou it too.
ADAM.
Since thou dost give, my Dear, I'le take, although
I'm not deceiv'd like thee, but better know.
I know that eating this will do me harm,
But I am carried captive by thy charm.
My flesh and bone thou hast, with them my heart,
We two are one, and therefore will not part.
In happiness thou didst partake with me▪
In miseries I will partake with thee.
My great delight thou hast been, even thou;
Whatever comes I will not leave thee now.
What though this hour I fetch my dying groan?
It would be death to me to live alone.
Or if thou die, and then another come,
That other never would fill up thy room.
Let God his pleasure do, I will do mine,
In life and death resolved to be thine.
Eve, I have eaten, and now own my love
To thee, which threatn'd death could not remove.
DEVIL.
Of my ends thus I master am, thus I
With ease have triumph'd o're mine enemy.
God did intend to honour dust to raise,
And make these despicable worms a praise.
A race of men, he was resolv'd, should spring
From Adam's loins, forsooth, them he would bring
To those coelestial places whence we fell,
And while we do tormenting pains in hell
Suffer without all hope; there they should be
As favourites crown'd with felicity.
And that at which my spirit most recoils,
Is, they should be enriched with our spoils.
And could we Angels brook it? though we are
Fallen and ruin'd, yet we cannot bear
Such an affront. I gladly would have prey'd
On his Imperial Throne, I would invade
His stately Royal Palace, if that it
Would but a siege, or storm, or myne admit.
But its walls are too high for me to scale.
It's gate so fastned, no strength can prevail
To force it open, there he sits secure
In happiness for ever to endure.
Well, though his lofty Throne I could not shake,
I now have that atchieved, which will make
Some breach upon his peace, and spoil in part
His matchless joys, and grieve him to the heart.
I call to mind how greatly he was pleas'd
VVith our confusion, when he had eas'd
Heaven of us as its burden, and in chains
Of darkness clapt us, while himself still reigns
In light and glory; therefore now will we
Be pleas'd at his disturbance, now that he
Is to repentance brought for making man,
Yea, grieveth inwardly for making man.
VVhere is the beauty now of his Creation?
He that his darling was, is his vexation.
I have him so seduc'd, that even he
Novv is become his Makers enemy.
Man, whom before he in his arms did cherish
Of Love, is now worse than the beasts that perish.
Hasten, sin, now, him with all evil fill;
Death feast upon him, but be hungry still.
Both air and earth your territories call,
And exercise dominion over all.
But specially o're man, diseases cast,
Sorrows throwe on him, and him killl at last▪
Thus Devil, Sin, Death, and the Triplicity
Infernal, after all victorious be.
Let our grand enemy rejoyce, that out
Of Heaven he hath tumbled at one bout
So many thousand Angels. I can tell
Almost as great a feat perform'd by Hell
At once, and by one little Strat'gem I
Have Adam ruin'd, and his progeny,
Millions and Millions of them, who shall now
'Gainst God rebel, and to our Scepter bow.
Henceforth to make man happy shall cost more
A great deal than it would have cost before.
ADAM.
Night most uncomfortable I have had;
None such till now, a thousand thousand sad
And frightful thoughts have taken up my mind:
And now, Eve, at my waking I do find
My head much discompos'd, yea out of frame
I feel my self all o're, find not the same
Serenity within, nor strength without;
There is, alas! there is a total rout
Of purity, and peace, and joy; All's gone:
Instead of being made, we are undone.
Our eyes indeed are open'd, for I see
Our selves expos'd to shame and misery.
Now we are naked, and that very thing
Which was our glory, doth now blushes bring▪
Our rectitude is lost, our beauty is
Turn'd to deformity. All is amiss,
And out of order quite: where e'r mine eye
Fixeth, on self or thee, I faults espy.
An hapless hour it was, when without fear
Thou didst incline thy over-curious ear
Unto that ill-taught Serpent, who did feign
An humane voice, that he thereby might gain
Closer attention from thee, and infuse
Notions would thy credulity abuse
T'our ruin, he a very counterfeit
Was, and his promises an arrant cheat.
It's true, our eyes are open'd, and we do
Know good, as he said, and what's evil too.
But that's bad knowledg, which increaseth sorrow,
Something to day we feel, more shall to morrow;
And daily more. The good we had, is lost:
And evil we do know unto our cost.
How evil is it for us to be stript
Of innocencies robes, and to be whipt
With lash of Consciences! within are fears
Which do perplex our Spirits, in our ears
A dreadful sound is always; in our face
Marks of sin are instead of wonted grace.
With boldness now I cannot look on thee;
And how shall I with confidence then see
The face of God, whom we so much offended
After he had us both so much befriended?
Nay, how shall we upon the Angels look?
Or how will they such loathsome Creatures brook?
Let us go seek a place as dark as night,
Where we may be removed from that light
Which will our spots and blemishes discover:
For now we nothing are, but spots all over.
EVE.
Go then, I follow; for my cheeks are dy'd
Red with a blush: and first let us both hide
Some way or other those parts which do seem
Of all the most uncomely, which we deem
Most fit to be concealed. Let us sow
Broad and thick leaves together, which may go
About our middles, and so cover round
Such parts as now with shame do most abound.
For if we them with modesty do hide,
Better we may Spectators eyes abide.
With Fig-leaves we are cloath'd, but sad the story,
We fallen are down from our former glory.
ADAM.
A covering this is, but such as will
Neither secure nor beautifie; we're still
More cloath'd with shame; within we have no rest:
Oh how do frightful thoughts our Souls molest!
Deep springs of fruitless sorrow do arise,
And streams of brinish tears flow from mine eies;
In which I may be drenched all the day,
And I no hand know will them wipe away.
All things I find now in an uproar are,
All turned up-side down; my passions dare
Rebel against my Reason. That great Queen
Who was inthron'd by God, and should have been,
Sole Governess, doth now a Captive stand,
Devested of its power, at the command
Of base unruly lusts, that strive to be
Controllers unto it, masters to me.
So Understanding rules not, but my will
Scorns to obey its dictates; they both still
Bow to a bruitish appetite, and I
Can only groan under its tyranny.
For this, Eve, thee I thank; to thee I owe
All, even all the miseries I know.
Wouldst thou have kept thy place, hadst thou obey'd
Thy Husbands counsels, wouldest thou have stay'd
By me, as I advis'd, this had not been;
Such a sad case as this we had not seen.
Learn henceforth to keep home; without dispute,
Of womans wandring, mischief is the fruit.
EVE.
Be not so partial, Adam, prethee, come,
Lay not the fault on me alone; bear some
Of it thy self; it cannot be deny'd
But we between us should the blame divide.
When was that charge giv'n forth? When did God say
Be sure that you together always stay.
I did conclude kind Heaven did us permit
Sometimes to be alone, and judg'd it fit
So to be then; and being innocent,
Thought where I would I might go, so I went.
My head thou wast; if therefore thou didst know
Mischief would follow, why didst let me go?
One positive command of thee had made
My purpose change, and me with thee have staid.
I did not, would not go without thy leave;
I had it, thou didst me permission give.
And likely 'tis, had I been by thy side,
We both had fallen, had we both been tri'de.
ADAM.
I am undone by thee, and yet must I
Be charged as cause of our misery?
By granting leave to go, I did approve
My self to thee; yet blam'd am for my love.
And is't indeed just matter of complaint,
That I on thee laid not a full restraint?
Alas! that could not be impos'd by me,
For God himself had us created free.
Advise I did, and warn'd, yea did foretel
What en'mies were abroad, and what might well
Fall out unto our hurt and prejudice
Even in this delightful Paradise.
But when I all had said, thy confidence
Was rais'd, being built on thine own innocence
And strength. But to speak fully to thee, I
Knowing thy rare perfections, did rely
Upon thy virtue; but see since that time
Errour in love may prove a fatal crime.
And henceforth may all men be warn'd by me,
And may all women too be warn'd by thee.
Husbands, away with jealousies, you must
Love wives with dearness, but not overtrust
Them with self-rule. Wives don't your selves abuse
And then your Husbands for their love accuse.
GOD.
Let all be quiet, nothing's come to pass
But what by me foreseen most fully was.
For known to me from everlasting are
My works; also the works of all that were
By me created, both Angels and Man,
All I most easily grasp with my span
Of knowledg. Had I pleas'd, I in that state
Could them confirm in which I did create.
But them to have confirm'd, did not comport
With my great Counsels. In my Supreme Court,
Many attendants stand, many to fall
I freely left, freedom I gave them all;
And strength enough, that so it might appear
Who did me truly love, who did sincere
Obedience to me yield, and all might see
Justly they cannot charge their destiny
Nor my decrees, but they themselves must blame;
For from their own free choice their ruin came.
Angels innumerable tell; though they
In Heaven were plac'd, they would not Heaven obey.
Wherefore I spurn'd them from me with disdain,
And made them know't impossible to regain
Their first estate, first habitation;
Fetter'd they lie in Hells dark region,
And in its flames they shall for ever fry;
Repentance shall be hidden from mine eye.
Their chieftain Belzebub my sworn foe,
Out of his spite to me sought to undo
Poor man my Creature, and he hath it done,
And thinks he now of me the day hath won.
But he shall quickly know, I can outdo
His policy and pow'r, in his own bow
I can out-shoot him. It's resolv'd, I will;
And when all's done, man shall be happy still.
These broken potsherds I'le again repair,
And make them full as beautiful and fair
As erst they were. In spite of Hell, a place
For justice shall be found and saving grace.
Of man I was the Maker. When made, He
Unmade himself. Who shall repairer be?
That work I'l have accomplisht. I will not
Upon my honour suffer such a blot
As Hell design'd to cast. But I will be
Prais'd and admir'd to all Eternity.
Son of GOD.
No sooner was this said, but Heav'n did ring,
The Angels there did Allelujah sing.
But above all, Gods only Son did grace
That great assembly; in his radiant face
Pity and love did sit triumphant. He
Man dearly lov'd, pity'd his misery.
Both now were at their full, and for mans sake
His Father he approach'd, and thus he spake.
Father, I did thy resolution hear
With joy superlative; and can't forbear
Such goodness to extol with highest praise,
Which will poor man out of his ruins raise.
Should he be lost for ever, how should flame
Rise from thy Altars? What one would thy Name
Exalt? would not thy glory, Father, fade,
Should they be lost, who for thy glory made
All know? Consult thy goodness, let it shine;
Never let Hell, by frustrating of thine,
Be master of its ends. Go on, and do
What ever thine own grace doth prompt thee to.
GOD the Father.
Difference, my Son, between us there is none,
But full agreement; for we two are One.
I see my self in thee, my glory bright,
My Son thou art, in whom I do delight.
Thou liest in my bosom, and to thee
All mine eternal counsels open be.
Full well thou know'st, from everlasting we,
Mercy to man together did decree.
How sad soever matters now appear
Between us two, counsels of peace then were.
All which shall stand unshaken, for I will
My thoughts perform, my pleasure all fulfil.
All mankind sha'nt be lost. I'le offer grace,
Which when once offer'd many shall embrace;
And those that do, shall find it, and shall be
Not to themselves beholding, but to me.
Conquer at last they shall their deadly foe,
And to their God that victory shall owe.
Unto all those I will my grace impart;
On them I will bestow a gracious heart,
In which I'le write my law, and put my fear;
And so in duty they shall persevere.
Love them I will ev'n for mine own names sake;
Leave them I never will, never forsake.
Yet on mine Honour I do stand, and will
Have the world know me good, but righteous still.
For who will reverence a Deity,
If they may sin with full impunity?
Yea, man being fal'n, must his folly rue;
For if he do not, I cannot be true.
My threatning is gone forth; I said, that he
Eating should die, with his posterity.
That sentence cannot be reverst, one shall
Dye for lost mankind, or they must dye all,
Who'l pay the debts that men contracted have?
What one will dye himself, their lives to save?
Can the Angelic nature shew such love?
Will the Angelic stock sufficient prove?
I see, they all are nonplust, there is none
Of them to interpose, there is not one.
Among them all I know none is that can
Satisfie Justice, or help ruin'd man.
Both love and power enough they all do lack;
Sins weight would quickly break an Angels back.
Son of GOD.
It's too too great a work. Created pow'r
Would utmost weakness prove, in that same hour
It should engage unto't; who recompence
Can return for an infinite offence?
Such as sin is, unless he be some one
That's infinite himself, and can alone
Infinite price lay down, and th' injury
Compensate, which was done Gods Majesty?
Man himself can't do this, he hath lost all,
And is become a Bankrupt by his fall.
He might have kept the happiness he was in,
But he can never answer for his sin.
Nor can the Angels for him, though they be
Stars of the morning, high in dignity.
Their stock together put, immense may seem;
Yet were it all laid down, it can't redeem
Man from destruction: should they all be weigh'd,
And in the ballance against one sin laid,
They would be found too light. But what of this?
Because among the Creatures no help is,
Shall there be none? Though they this cannot do,
Shall wisdom infinite be nonplust too?
Shall mercy be resolv'd, yet want a way,
By which its selfe to man it might convey?
May threatned judgments oft prevented be;
But grace shall always have its passage free.
It is my Fathers glory, also mine;
By magnifying of it we shall shine
In th' eyes of all; all will Us love for this,
When they shall find with Us forgiveness is.
Therefore, O Father, be it known this day,
There shall not want one to pave mercies way,
And to remove obstructions. I will be
Saviour to man, and sacrifice to Thee.
In thy most wise eternal counsels thou
Didst me appoint Redeemer; therefore now,
Lo now I come to do thy will, and be
A Mediator between man and thee.
His debts and sins to a great sum amount;
Yet, Father, put them all on mine account.
I fully will discharge them, and will see,
By him thy glory shall no loser be.
I well this undertaking understand;
What it will stand me in, I well know, and
What brook I must drink of, before that I
Come to lift up my Head. I am the High
And lofty One, whom Seraphims adore,
And veil their faces when they'r me before;
Yet I must act low condescention,
And be made of no reputation.
Instead of glory I must take the dress
Of one that hath no form nor comeliness.
In form of God I am, and robbery
Do think it none to claim equality
With him; but yet I must a man become,
And be found in a sorry servants form.
Nay more, if I to man would bring relief,
Sorrows must my familiars be, and grief
Mine intimate acquaintance. I must be
Most sorely bruis'd for his iniquity,
For his transgressions wounded. In that day
On me thou their iniquities wilt lay.
Yet this doth not discourage, nor much more,
I have of love and bowels as great store
As thou canst have of wrath. This pleaseth me,
Full out as much as Vengeance pleaseth thee.
More thou art not displeased with his sin,
Than I am pleas'd Salvation him to bring.
Him I will draw out of the horrid pit,
And on a rock most sure I'le set his feet.
Thy Justice honour I will so secure,
As that thy Mercy shall for ay endure.
Look on me, Father, then, and take my word,
Which it's impossible for me to break, great Lord,
Thou know'st me faithful, thou dost know that I
Can upon no account my self deny.
Look then again. I here as surety stand
To pay what e're thy Justice shall demand.
Ask what thou wilt, thou canst not ask amiss,
Performed it shall be what e're it is.
Can only blood pardon procure? If so,
Rather than not a pardon, mine shall go;
My life I'le give for his, and part with all
Which I can part with. Let thine Anger fall
On me thine only Son, that burden I
Will take, to take away iniquity,
In all its guilt and power. And that I may
Be a fit object for it, in the day
Thou shalt appoint, I will to my Godhead
The Manhood joyn, and so have blood to shed.
Blood thou canst not except against, for I
As man will suffer, as God satisfie.
Let men me as a worm tread underfoot,
And laugh, and shake the head, and the lip shoot.
Let Bulls, yea Bulls of Bashan me beset,
And come like hungry Lyons me to eat.
Let me be poured out like water; and
Let all my bones as dislocated stand.
What though my heart melted must be, and I
Shall have my strength like to a potsherd dry.
What though in sorrows thou do me immerse,
And cruel ones my hands and feet will pierce:
I'le bear, yea welcome all, since thus I can
Redeem from wrath poor, but beloved Man.
Nay when I am thus brought upon the stage,
Let death it self spend on me all its rage.
Let it strike fiercely with its Iron Rod,
And then boast it hath kill'd the Son of God.
My heart is glad, my glory joys, also
My flesh shall rest in hope, because I know
My precious Soul thou wilt not leave in grave,
I incorrupt shall resurrection have.
Of life the path thou wilt me shew, to store
Of joys and pleasures, which forevermore
Are in thy glorious presence. Thus, although
I seem to yield unto that mighty foe,
By him to be devoured, yet will I
Fall like my self, and a brave Conquerour die.
My very weakness shall much stronger be
Than men and Devils▪ Devils and men shall see,
I at my lowest can their pride abate,
And be above them in their greatest height.
'Gainst man the hand-writing shall not prevail:
Out of the way I'le take it, and will nail
It to my Cross. All adverse powers I'le spoil,
And give to principalities the foil;
So be triumphant o're th' infernal crew,
And also of them all make open shew.
My people I will ransome from the grave,
From death I will, them all redeemed have.
O cruel death, even I thy plagues will be:
O grave, I will destruction bring to thee,
And utterly root out mine enemies;
Repentance shall be hidden from mine eies.
In death I'le fall, that death may die by me,
In grave I'le lie, that graves may sweetned be
To mine that shall come after. I my head
Will lay in dust, that dust may prove a bed
Of fragrant Roses yielding to them rest
Who by sin were ty'rd out, by world opprest.
Yea that same death which was brought in by Sin,
And was intended only to have been
A way to Hell, shall through my dying-love
For mine be made the way to joys above.
A way to Heav'n for them I will it make,
When out of grave I shall rise for their sake
As their head and first fruits: I will disarm
Death of its sting, that it shall do no harm
To mine. As victor then in triumph high
I, I will captive lead captivity.
And to my Chariot-wheels will firmly bind
All those mine Enemies, who were combin'd
Me to disgrace, mine to destroy; attend
My triumph, as slaves, they shall: when I ascend
In clouds to Heaven, and direct my course
Father, with gladness unto thee, the source
And spring of happiness, when I will sit
On thy right hand, until under my feet
My foes by thee be brought. At length I will
Descend again in state, and so fulfil
My joys and thy Decrees. Father, I'le go,
Waited upon by Angels, who shall blow,
And by their mighty breath that Trumpet sound
Whose noise shall rough the Seas, and shake the ground,
And make them both surrender up my dead,
Who with those living then shall me their Head
Follow into thy presence, where I shall
Resign my Scepter, that God all in all
May be. Father, this I'le perform, and thus
We shall rejoyce in them, and they in Us.
GOD.
None could have spoken thus, but He that is
The brightness of my glory, the express
Image of mine own person; in whom be
All the perfections of the Deity.
My Son thou art, my most beloved Son,
In whom I am well-pleas'd, mine only one.
My works I took delight in, because good;
Much more in man mine image, while he stood:
Nor am I so incensed by his fall,
As utterly to ruin him and all
Who shall of him proceed. Now he is lost,
I am resolv'd to be at much more cost
For his to be admired Restauration,
Than ever I was at for his Creation.
I made him with my word alone, but will
Ransome him with thy life, and thereby fill
Both Heaven and Earth with wonder, that I part
With thee, who art so near unto my heart.
For man's Redemption I do not care
What charges I am at, I will not spare
For cost, but freely will deliver up
Thee unto death; and mingle such a cup
For thee to drink, as never one did taste
For bitterness, and yet I will no waste
Admit of, though it wormwood be and gall,
My pleasure is, thou drink it, dregs and all.
But thine own love will sweeten it; for I
Know, for man's sake thou lovest to deny
Thy glorious self, and never wilt repine
To shed thy blood, so man may have the wine.
And as thy love doth prompt thee, so I do
Set everlasting joy before thee too,
For thy encouragement. A just regard
Shall be had to thee, and a full reward
Shall crown thy labours; thou at last shall see
Such fruit as will most fully satisfie.
Heaven and Earth shall be fill'd with thy Fame:
A Name I'le give thee above every name;
Wonderful, Counsellor, thou call'd shalt be,
A mighty God, that is, equal with me.
And what thine honour greatly will increase,
The everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Yea more, that Manhood, which thou shalt assume,
Shall be exalted, and with thee have room
Upon that lofty Throne, where I do sit.
For after such abasement, it is fit
Thou shouldest be exalted as a Prince
As well as Saviour; I'le never mince
Nor clip thy dues, but all the world shall know
Thee their supreme, and every knee shall bow
To thy Authority. When thou shalt rise
Out of the grave thou chusest, I in no wise
Will be unmindful of thy love to men,
Nor thine obedience unto me, but then
I thee in Heaven will with power clothe,
And in Earth too; so that thou shalt in both
Do what thou wilt, for thou wilt always be
Like to thy self, and faithful unto me.
Above thy fellows I do thee anoint
With oil of gladness, and do thee appoint
Lord over Men and Angels, 'tis my will,
Ev'n as my self they do thee honour still.
Unto thine en'mies thou shalt give thee soil,
And with the mighty shalt divide the spoil.
Supply thou shalt poor mans necessity;
And proclaim to the captives liberty;
Opening of prison-doors unto the bound,
With perfect healing to the deepest wound.
Souls weary and opprest, under thy wing
Shall comfort find, and finding, bless their King.
All that accept thee, I with pleased face
Will look upon, and cheerfully embrace
In arms of love, though they be ne'r so poor,
Yea, though they were grand enemies before.
My Glory thou design'st; and if for me
All this thou't do, what w'ont I do for thee?
Not stick at pardons sure, I have them ready
For all those lost ones, which are poor and needy
In their own eyes, and will repair to thee,
All those shall find they welcome are to me.
And when those many shall be call'd, that now
I give unto thee, when they're brought to bow
Unto thy ruling Scepter, when once they
Who called are, shall all the call obey,
And follow thee where-ever thou dost go,
In paths of Holiness; when they shall grow
Into a meetness for their purchas'd right,
The sweet Inheritance of Saints in light:
All then shall plainly see what love I bear
Both unto thee and thine. Thou shalt appear
A Judg on the Tribunal; quick and dead
Shall come before thee. Some shall hang the head
For fear and shame: But all thine at that day,
Shall lift up theirs with boldness, knowing they
Shall then receive full absolution,
With their long longed for Redemption
From sin and sorrow. Then the world shall burn,
And by that burning into ashes turn,
Losing thereby its filth; yet in no wise
Will I it quite consume, for there shall rise
Out of its ashes a new Heaven, and
A new Earth also. Both at my command
Shall spring, and both the present shall excel,
For in them righteousness alone shall dwell.
No wicked men shall there lift up the horn;
No vexing brier there, no pricking thorn:
Nothing, nothing at all, that may offend,
Or thee, or me, or thine. Nothing to mend,
No wants to be suppli'd; sorrows away
Shall vanish quite, and nothing shall allay
The sweetness of their pleasures; I will be
Their portion, and their full felicity.
For thy sake this is done; the new Creation
Shall ascribe all unto thy mediation.
Ye Angels worship this my Son, and raise
Your joyful acclamations to his praise.
ANGELS.
Ever be thou admir'd, O God above!
Ever admired this thy wondrous love!
Thou art Eternal, Infinite, thy treasures,
Like to thy Self; thy Grace beyond all measures.
Father, thou art Father of Mercies too,
All things thou mad'st, and dost all things out-do
In goodness. Thou art all invisible,
Dwelling in light that's inaccessible.
Thy Greatness, Glory, Goodness we adore,
And bless thy name, that we may stand before
Thy Throne; for 'tis our happiness to be
Always in presence of thy Majesty.
And thee we bless, thy Father's only one,
His great delight, his most beloved Son.
In whose most gracious countenance doth shine
Beauties perfection, Glory divine.
By thee all things created were, by thee
We placed were in this felicity.
By thee Rebellious spirits were cast down;
Thine was the Victory, thine be the Crown.
Heavens peace thou didst restore, & by thy might
Those en'mies were o'recome, and put to flight.
'Fore thee they could not stand, no, down they fell;
And falling down, they stopt not, until Hell
Gaping had them receiv'd, where they shall be
In flames tormented to eternitie.
For that thy mighty conquest we do sing
Praise unto thee, to thee victorious King.
We do admire that noble Act, but more
Thy glorious grace, whereby thou hast a dore
Of hope open'd to man; Thy Grace exprest
On undone Adam, now less than the least
Of mercies through his sin. That thou dost lay
His ruin to thy heart; Offer to pay
His debt, his burden bear, his sin take up,
And for his sake drink off a wrathful cup.
That thou should'st leave the Heaven thou dost possess,
And carry sins into a wilderness.
We never could have thought of this, and we
Admire it now it is resolv'd by thee.
Such love eternal obligation lays
On man. Such love transcends Angelick praise.
But what exceeds our praises, that will we
Admire thee for, Lord, to eternitie.
GOD.
Know, in their order all things shall proceed:
And since that foolish man hath done this deed;
Since Adam, made by me upright, hath sought
Many inventions out, he must be taught
By sad experience, what it is to sell
All Paradise for one tree; what to rebell
Against the God that made him. Justice now
Requires that sentence pass; and who but thou
My Son should pass it? I my self judg none;
All judgment I commit to thee, my Son.
By doing which it shall appear to all,
That to man ruined by his own fall,
Healing and faving-mercy I intend,
Not utter misery, because I send
His Friend to be his Judg, and have no other
Sentence to pass, but Him, who shall his Brother
Be one day, and Redeemer, who his blood
Will shed most willingly to do him good.
SON of GOD.
Father, thy will reveal'd is, shall be done
With cheerful readiness by me thy Son.
That so thou mai'st for ever pleased be
With me, as I am ever pleas'd with thee.
I therefore go, according to thy will,
These Criminals to judg; but I know still,
As I to judg go now, so that one day,
I must to suffer go, for thou wilt lay
On me all their offences. Of that cup
Which they but taste, I must the dregs drink up.
Yet though the worst of all on me must light,
I will, as Judg of all the earth, do right.
Justice and Mercy shall together meet,
And being satisfi'd, each other greet.
With speed all shall be done; away I go
With Angels not attended, for I do
No Witness want nor Jury; and the Sun
Almost to th' end of this days race hath run.
Evening approaches, at which time blow fair
And gentle gales of wind to cool the air,
A time fit for mans milder Judg, and he
Shall find that fury doth not dwell in me.
Where art thou Adam? what! dost thou not know
My being in the Garden? can I go
So near thee unperceiv'd? Hath not my voice
'Waken'd thine ear? and made thy heart rejoice,
As it was wont to do? it seemeth strange,
From me thou should'st absent! Is any change
In thee a cause thereof? come and impart
The matter as it is; Adam where art?
ADAM.
Lord, I thy voice did in the Garden hear,
And thereupon my soul did fill with fear.
My self I naked saw; seeing, did hide:
For being so, Lord, I could not abide
Thou should'st look on me, but away I fled
Among the thickest trees to hide my head.
SON of GOD.
Adam, my voice hath often reach'd thine ear;
As oft it was thy joy my voice to hear.
It was thy sovereign delight; and how
Comes it to be a terror to thee now?
I see indeed that thou art naked; well,
Of this thy nakedness who did thee tell?
Hast thou adventur'd to eat of that tree,
Concerning which I gave command to thee,
Eat thou should'st not? —
ADAM.
—The Woman thou did'st give
With me as my Companion to live,
Whom I did count a token of that love
Which thou to me dost bear, could disapprove
Nothing of all I saw in her, but stood
Inamour'd on her as a perfect good.
She thou did'st give, gave of that tree for meat;
And being by her given, I did eat.
SON of GOD.
Hast for thy self nothing to say beside?
Was she by me given to be thy Guide?
An help she was intended for thee, and
Fitted for such by her Creator's hand.
But know, God never did unto thee say,
Rather than me, thou shalt thy Wife obey.
He did not thee subject to her, nor none;
Him thou should'st have obey'd, yea him alone.
But, Woman, say, what is't that thou hast done?
EVE.
I was beguil'd by th' Serpent, and did eat.
SON of GOD.
Serpent, 'cause thou art guilty of this cheat,
And this hast done, there's nothing shall thee shield
From vengeance. Above every beast of field
Thou art accurst, and above cattel all.
Henceforth upon thy belly thou shalt crawl;
Yea dust shall be thy food, dust thou shalt eat,
All the days of thy life be that thy meat.
And further know, between the woman and thee feel,
I now will put a mortal enmity,
Which 'twixt your seeds shall last. Thou shalt it
Her seed shall bruise thy head, and thou his heel.
As for thee, Woman, Be it known, that I
Sorrows on thee will greatly multiply
In thy Conception; yea for this thing,
In sorrow thou thy Children forth shalt bring.
Unto thy Husband thy desire shall be;
Learn to submit, he shall rule over thee.
Now, last of all, Adam, to thee I come,
And so will end th' Assizes with thy Doom,
Which thus I do pronounce: Because that thou
Hast to thy Wifes voice hearkened, and now
Of that tree eaten hast, about which I
Said, Thou shalt not eat of it, lest thou die.
For thy sake cursed is the very ground;
Sorrows shall thence spring up, and much abound.
Out of it thou with toil shalt fetch thy meat,
And that in sorrow all thy days shalt eat,
Till thy return unto the ground thou make,
For out of that at first I did thee take.
Know thy self, Adam, that thou art but dust,
And unto it again return thou must.
All this shall be accomplish'd. But I do
Your misery behold, pity it too.
You both before me naked stand and bare,
Cover'd with shame all over; now you are
Exposed unto storms without a fence,
And to the changing-weathers violence.
My Bowels yearn to see your Poverty,
How low y'are fallen into misery.
Wherefore your nakedness I'le hide with skins.
And with my Robe of Righteousness your sins.
But now out of the Garden I thee send,
In tilling of that Ground thy time to spend,
Whence thou wast taken. Therefore now be gone,
Adam, from hence away. Eden alone
For Innocency was. A Wilderness
Will serve him well enough, whose holiness
Is altogether lost. Nor shall there be
Of return hither any Hope for thee.
For straight upon the Gardens eastern side,
I will appoint some Cherubims t' abide;
A Flaming-Sword also, which night and day
Brandish'd shall be, and turned every way,
The way unto the Tree of Life to guard,
That Man may never taste it afterward,
Unless from me. For know, that I'le give leave
And power to all who me by Faith receive;
Ev'n all that shall under my Banner fight,
And fighting overcome, I'le give them right
Of th' Tree of Life to eat, which always stood
In the midst of the Paradise of God.
ADAM.
How am I fallen! my tongue can't express
That depth of misery, which fathomless
Is to my understanding! I ere while
Had God my Friend, under whose gracious smile
With joy I liv'd, and gladly did embrace
All opportunities to see his face.
But now alas! from him I'm fain to hide,
And his approaches can no more abide.
Being from Eden thrust, where shall I flee
To seek relief in this my misery?
Creatures avoid me, or stand gazing on
Me as a monster, or man quite undone.
Having transgrest my great Creators Law,
Of me the Brutes refuse to stand in awe.
My former blessing is turn'd to a curse,
My comforts into crosses. And what's worse,
Both Sin and Curse I propagate to all
Who shall of me descend. For by my Fall
My whole race ruin'd is; They all will be
Conceiv'd in sin, born in iniquity;
Born unto Trouble, as sparks upward fly;
No sooner born, but they'l begin to dye.
Oh that I might be childless! and that God
Would put a period to this earthy clod!
And grant that in the long'd-for silent Grave,
Sense of these sorrows I no more may have.
Yet what if Death a full end should not make,
But cast me down into a burning Lake,
Where I a drop of water shall not get,
My Tongue to cool in that tormenting-heat?
I tremble to think on't; The case stands so,
What thing I should desire I do not know.
Eve, from my sight be gone, make no delays,
Sorrow and indignation thou dost raise
In me when e're I see thee; get thee gone;
By thee, by thee it is I am undone.
It was thy self-conceit, thy wretched pride
Of parts and beauty, drew thee from my side.
A Serpent, and a Devil in him, were sit
Companions for thee, rather than to sit
And talk or work with me. Oh that alone
I had remain'd, and never woman known!
A Rib thou art, crooked by nature, sent
By God for comfort, but to mischief bent.
All the ingredients of future woe
To mankinds Grand-dame doth all mankind owe.
Thou Mother of all living call'd shalt be,
Mother of Death too, for that sprung from thee.
EVE.
My Lord, I have transgrest, and do with tears
Confess my fault. Oh let thy gracious ears
To my request incline; and let the heat
Of kindled wrath abate; now at thy feet
I prostrate lye. God knows, my heart is thine,
My Love, and high esteem, whate're is mine.
Through my means, true is is, thou art accurst;
But know, the Serpent hath beguil'd me first.
Dost think I would have done't, had I foreseen
What would the consequence thereof have been?
Oh! pity me, dear Adam, for I do
My crime acknowledg, and bewail it too.
And if that such intreaties might have sped,
I'd beg the punishment upon my Head
Might wholly light, and God would thee restore
To all the happiness thou hadst before.
On those terms welcome sorrow, welcom pain,
I all would freely bear, of none complain.
Be kind unto me, Adam, me forgive
My great offence, and let me with thee live.
Broken my heart is, multipli'd my fears,
My sighs consider, and observe my tears.
In this my sore distress do not me leave;
Me, a part of thy self, do not bereave
Of thine advice and aid. A look give down,
A look of love on her who is thine own.
ADAM.
Here 'tis, my Dearest, for thee; come, arise,
And those o'reflowing tears wipe from thine eyes,
Which my displeasure caus'd; alas! that is
The least effect of what thou didst amiss.
His wrath I dread whom we provoked have,
And from that wrath I gladly would thee save
By bearing all my self. I'd loudly cry,
Let Eve live in thy sight, and let me dye.
But this discourse is vain; though I am loath
To see thy miseries, yet since we both
Have sinned, both must suffer, and feel smart;
Our Judges sentence carv'd us both our part.
What then remains, but that we study do
Love to each other, how to shew it too
In all ways possible? for so may we
Somewhat alleviate our misery.
EVE.
My Lord, with thankfulness I do admire
Thy love to me, just object of thine ire.
Which great and undeserved love doth raise
Hope toward God, that we shall speak his praise.
For if man thus forgiveth, how much rather
Will he forgive, of Mercy who's the Father?
ADAM.
Most sweet these words, dear Consort! and my mind
Gives me, that we and ours shall favour find
In the eyes of our God. Methought there did
Great comfort lye in th' very sentence hid.
A sudden death was look'd for; but lo! He
In stead of death, only impos'd on thee
Travailing sorrows. And it's richly worth
Considering, thou Children shalt bring forth,
For all those pains; and when a Child thou hast,
Forget thou wilt all sorrows that were past.
In stead of me; our Judg did curse the ground,
Which now will grow more wild, and will abound
With thorns and thistles. Its face will be marr'd
With vexing weeds, so I must labour hard.
But sleep by labour will be made more sweet,
And I by labour shall get bread to eat.
But above all, this hath my comforts fed,
One day thy seed shall bruise the Serpents head.
On these encouragements let us both fly
Unto his mercy-seat, and there let's lye
Cover'd with shame, and drown'd with tears; let's now
Before him like poor malefactors bow.
Of this our sin let full confessions,
Mixed with fervent supplications,
Ascend before his Throne. He may relent
And mercy shew unto us penitent.
It is the only way to scape the Rod,
Humbly to seek our refuge in our God.
SON of GOD.
Father, the Sentence I have past. Thy will
And pleasu…e therein I did all fulfill.
Nor have I finished that work alone,
But from th' offenders took their heart of stone,
And gave them one of flesh, so that they melt,
For now the burden of their sin is felt.
Yea more, behold, they pray, and sue for grace,
Nothing will please them, but thy pleased face.
As Priest, their names upon my breast I bear,
And now an Advocate for them appear,
Presenting their requests all incens'd, and
With Intercession back them. Let thy Hand
Of Love reach out a Pardon. Let them obtain
Thy choicest favour, for my sake, again.
From those deep sighs rising from hearts opprest
And kindly broke, smell a savour of Rest.
Now that they seek thee, be thou of them found,
And where Sin hath, let Grace much more abound,
Despise them not, who unto thee do fly;
If thou dost them, thou shalt me too deny.
I will their sins for ever take away,
For their offences I by death will pay.
What is done I would not have thee undo,
Most highly it becomes thee to be true
Unto thy righteous threats. They did forsake
Thy Law, and thy Commandments did break;
And visited let their transgressions be
With Rods, and with stripes their iniquity.
Let their own wickedness correction give,
And backslidings reprove them while they live.
May they and theirs by sad experience know,
It is an evil thing, and bitter too,
That they forsook God, and made it appear,
By that departure they cast off his fear.
Yet thine own purposes of Grace fulfill,
Do thou them good, and be their Father still.
Some sign of favour give them. Let them see
That thou art reconcil'd with them in me.
GOD.
Be it, my Son, according to thy will,
Whatever thou hast spoken, I'le fulfill.
In thee I reconciled am, and can
For thy sake pardon all the sins of man.
He shall be sure to feel my smarting Rod,
Yet I will be to him a loving God.
When thou art suitor, what shall not be done?
What's too much for thy Intercession,
Which, I know, thou wilt ever live to make
With me in Heaven for poor Sinners sake?
Therefore to th' utmost thou shalt Saviour be
Unto all those that come to God by thee,
Who shall be happy. Go ye Angels then,
And Peace proclaim on Earth, Good will to men.
ANGEL.
Adam, I hither come Tydings to bring
From our and your Creator, Heavens King.
Unto thy Pray'rs he hath inclin'd his ear;
Although a sinner, thou to him art dear.
Upon thy sin Death might have seizure made;
And if it had done't, thou must have obey'd
Its summons; but behold! there's a reprieve
Which Grace hath issu'd forth, and thou shalt live
Many and many days, that thou thereby,
When e're Death comes, mai'st be prepar'd to die.
Unto thy Makers pleasure it is fit,
Having offended, humbly thou submit.
Bad will be mixt with good; thy days will be
Sunshine and cloudy; God lays out for thee
Sore trials. But of sin do thou repent,
And learn in every state to be content.
One called Abr'am shall from thee descend,
Whom God will own and honour as his Friend.
From him, in David's line, also shall spring
The promised Messiah. Zions King,
Born of a Virgin overshadow'd by
The Holy Ghost, power of the most High.
He upon David's Throne shall sit full sure,
His Kingdom shall for evermore endure.
From Gentiles he thick darkness shall dispell,
And be the Glory of his Israel.
He out of love to thee and thine will die,
And shall by Death obtain the Victorie,
Nailing unto his Cross each enemie.
But unto man by death bring peace and rest,
So that whoe're believe in him, are blest.
He judged you, and he will come at last
To judg the World, when Judgment shall be past
By him in Righteousness. And then his own
He will advance to his most Glorious Throne,
Where they shall reign in all felicity,
Without disturbance, to eternity.
Mans Hymn of Praise.
Tune our Hearts, Lord, that we may speak thy praise;
Flat they are yet, do thou them higher raise.
Affect us thoroughly. Let us admire
Thy Love, and call in help from all the Quire
Of Angels, who with wonder have all seen
How great thy goodness unto us hath been;
Who gav'st thy Son, that he might for us die;
Who gav'st thy self for our Recoverie.
How freely did'st thou stoop, when we did fall?
That we might Honey have, thou drankest Gall.
We eat the Fruit, thou hung'st upon the Tree,
Which Life brought unto us, Death unto thee.
Thy stripes our healing are, thy thorn our flower;
Thy Blood our Balsom; and thy Cross our Tower;
Thy wounds our Refuge; and thy sighs our Song;
Of thee we'l make our boast all the day-long.
Thou art the first-begotten of the Dead;
Thou of all earthly Princes art the Head.
Thou love'st us, and washt us from our sins
In thine own Blood, making us Priests and Kings
To God thy Father. Therefore we will never
Cease saying, Glory be to thee for ever.
For we, O Lord, thy ransom'd Ones shall come
Unto the Heavenly Zion as our Home,
With Songs (caus'd by that blood which thou did'st shed)
And everlasting joy upon our head.
We shall obtain all gladness in that day,
When sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
FINIS.
A Dialogue BETWEEN FAITH AND A DOUBTING SOUL.