At least our envious Foe hath faild, who thought
All like himself rebellious, by whose aid [ 140 ]
This inaccessible high strength, the seat
Of Deitie supream, us dispossest,
He trusted to have seisd, and into fraud
Drew many, whom thir plaows here no more;
Yet farr the greater part have kept, I see, [ 145 ]
Thir station, Heav populous retaines
Number suffit to possess her Realmes
Though wide, and this high Temple to frequent
With Ministeries due and solemn Rites:
But least his heart exalt him in the harme [ 150 ]
Already doo have dispeopld Heavn
My damage fondly deemd, I repaire
That detriment, if such it be to lose
Self-lost, and in a moment will create
Another World, out of one man a Race [ 155 ]
Of men innumerable, there to dwell,
Not here, till by degrees of merit raisd
They open to themselves at length the way
Up hither, under long obedierid,
Ah be gd to Heavn, & Heavn to Earth, [ 160 ]
One Kingdom, Joy and Union without end.
Mean while inhabit laxe, ye Powers of Heavn,
And by my Word, begotten Son, by thee
This I perform, speak thou, a don:
My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee [ 165 ]
I send along, ride forth, and bid the Deep
Within appointed bounds be Heavn ah,
Bouhe Deep, because I am who fill
Infinitude, nor vacuous the space.
Though I uncircumscribd my self retire, [ 170 ]
And put not forth my goodness, which is free
To act or not, ie and ce
Approaee, and what I will is Fate.
So spake th Almightie, and to what he spake
His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect. [ 175 ]
Immediate are the Acts of God, more swift
Then time or motion, but to human ears
ot without process of speech be told,
So told as earthly notion receave.