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Illumine, what is low raiſe & support;
That to the highth of this great argument
I may aſsert eternal Providence,
And juſtifie the wayes of God to Men.
⁠ Say firſt, for heav'n hides nothing from thy view
Nor the deep tract of hell, ſay first what cauſe
Mov'd our grand parents in that happie ſtate,
Favour'd of heav'n ſo highly, to fall off 30
From thir Creator, & transgreſse his will
For one reſtraint, Lords of the world beſides?
Who first ſeduc'd them to that fowle revolt?
Th' infernal Serpent; hee it was, whoſe guile
Stirrd up with envy & revenge, deceav'd
The Mother of Mankind; what time his pride
Had caſt him out from heav'n; with all his hoſt
Of rebell Angells, by whoſe aid aſpiring
To ſet himſelfe in glory above his peeres,
Hee truſted to have equalld the most High, 40
If he oppoſ'd; and with ambitious aime
Againſt the throne & Monarchy of God,
Raiſd impious warr in heav'n & battell proud
With vaine attempt. Him the Almighty power
Hurld headlong flameing from th' ethereal ſkie
With hideous ruine & combuſtion downe
To bottomles perdition, there to dwell