IRE ID E 3VE FTIO !M_
��BOOK III.
Th' omniscient Father, bending from his throne, Beheld alantem all the powers of hell, Their number scann'd, their rage, and base intent; Then, turning tow'rds the Son, who sat enthroned At his right hand, beaming with grace, he spake :
" Beloved Son, see how these hounds of hell, Astrict with angor, yet untaught, but seek Anew to heap fresh wrath upon their heads; And seeming know not, that because I choose To leave man free, to will, or not to will, My service to embrace, and their own doom Suspend, my stern arret still o'er them hangs. Free, I have left them, to do well or ill ; Free, th' others left to tempt, and yet, full pow'r Have given man their tempting to withstand, That their deserts might on themselves depend, Though not as of themselves, but as by grace. Had I free will denied them, and the pow'r, To choose my service, or reject, no value Their allegiance would have, depending sole Upon necessity; and thus the law Of justice clean expunge; since, if they must
�� �
