Paradise Lost

Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel, 
But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine. 
  Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd 
All Heav'n, and in the blessed Spirits elect 
Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd: 
Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 
Most glorious, in him all his Father shon 
Substantially express'd, and in his face 
Divine compassion visibly appeerd, 
Love without end, and without measure Grace, 
Which uttering thus he to his Father spake. 
  O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd 
Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace; 
For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll 
Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound 
Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne 
Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. 
For should Man finally be lost, should Man 
Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest Son 
Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd 
With his own folly? that be from thee farr, 
That farr be from thee, Father, who art Judge 
Of all things made, and judgest onely right. 
Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain 
His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfill 
His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught, 
Or proud return though to his heavier doom, 
Yet with revenge accomplish't and to Hell 
Draw after him the whole Race of mankind, 
By him corrupted? or wilt thou thy self 
Abolish thy Creation, and unmake, 
For him, what for thy glorie thou hast made? 
So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 
Be questiond and blaspheam'd without defence. 
  To whom the great Creatour thus reply'd. 
O Son, in whom my Soul hath chief delight, 
Son of my bosom, Son who art alone 
My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 
All hast thou spok'n as my thoughts are, all 
As my Eternal purpose hath decreed: 
Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, 
Yet not of will in him, but grace in me 
Freely voutsaft; once more I will renew 
His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall'd 
By sin to foul exorbitant desires; 
Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand 
On even ground against his mortal foe, 
By me upheld, that he may know how frail 
His fall'n condition is, and to me ow 
All his deliv'rance, and to none but me. 
Some I have chosen of peculiar grace 
Elect above the rest; so is my will: 
The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warnd 
Thir sinful state, and to appease betimes 
Th' incensed Deitie, while offerd grace 
Invites; for I will cleer thir senses dark, 
What may suffice, and soft'n stonie hearts 
To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 
To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, 
Though but endevord with sincere intent, 
Mine eare shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 
And I will place within them as a guide 
My Umpire CONSCIENCE, whom if they will hear, 
Light after light well us'd they shall attain, 
And to the end persisting, safe arrive. 
This my long sufferance and my day of grace 
They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; 
But hard be hard'nd, blind be blinded more, 
That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; 
And none but such from mercy I exclude. 
But yet all is not don; Man disobeying, 
Disloyal breaks his fealtie, and sinns 
Against the high Supremacie of Heav'n, 
Affecting God-head, and so loosing all, 
To expiate his Treason hath naught left, 
But to destruction sacred and devote, 
He with his whole posteritie must die, 
Die hee or Justice must; unless for him 
Som other able, and as willing, pay 
The rigid satisfaction, death for death. 
Say Heav'nly Powers, where shall we find such love, 
Which of ye will be mortal to redeem 
Mans mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save, 
Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare? 
  He ask'd, but all the Heav'nly Quire stood mute, 
And silence was in Heav'n: on mans behalf 
Patron or Intercessor none appeerd, 
Much less that durst upon his own head draw 
The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 
And now without redemption all mankind 
Must have bin lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell 
By doom severe, had not the Son of God, 
In whom the fulness dwels of love divine, 
His dearest mediation thus renewd. 
  Father, thy word is past, man shall find grace; 
And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, 
The speediest of thy winged messengers, 
To visit all thy creatures, and to all 
Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought, 
Happie for man, so coming; he her aide