Chapter 3 2
I told ye then he should prevail and speed [ 40 ]
On his bad Errand, Man should be seductive
And flattered out of all, believing lies
Against his Maker; no Decree of mine
Concurring to necessitate his Fall,
Or touch with lightest moment of impulse [ 45 ]
His free Will, to her own inclining left
In eevn scale. But falln he is, and now
What rests but that the mortal Sentence pass
On his transgression Death denounct that day,
Which he presumes already vain and void, [ 50 ]
Because not yet infected, as he feared,
By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find
Forbearance no acquisition ere day end.
Justice shall not return as bountie scornd.
But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee [ 55 ]
Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferrd
All Judgment whether in Heavn, or Earth, or Hell.
Easie it might be seen that I intend
Mercie college with Justice, sending thee
Mans Friend his Mediator, his design [ 60 ]
Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie,
And destind Man himself to judge Man falln.
So spake the Father, and unfouling bright
Toward the right hand his Glorie, on the Son
Blazd forth unclouded Deitie; he full [ 65 ]
Resplendent all his Father manifest
Expressd, and thus divinely answer milde.
Father Eternal, thine is to decree,
Mine both in Heavn and Earth to do thy will
Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belovd [ 70 ]
Mayst ever rest well pleasd. I go to judge
On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst,
Whoever judged, the worst on mee must light,
When time shall be, for so I undertook
Before thee; and not repending, this obtain [ 75 ]
Of right, that I may mitigate thir doom
On me derivd, yet I shall temper so
Justice with Mercie, as may illustrate most
Them fully satisfied, and thee appease.