770 About the great reception of their King, All power, and us eclips'd, under the name 775 Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, 980 With what may be devis'd of honors new Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke? 785 799 795 Law and edict on us, who without law Err not? much lefs for this to be our Lord, 8c0 Of those imperial titles, which affert Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve. O argument blafphemous, false and proud! 810 Canft thou with impious obloquy condemn The juft decree of God, pronounc'd and sworn, That to his only Son by right endued 815 With regal scepter, every foul in Heav'n Shall bend the knee, and in that honor due Confefs him rightful King? Unjust, thou say'st, And equal over equals to let reign, One over all with unfucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God, fhalt thou dispute 820 Thee what thou art, and form'd the pow'rs of Heav'n Such as he pleas'd, and circumfcrib'd their being? Yet by experience taught we know how good, 826 And of our good and of our dignity Our happy state under one head more near 830 United. But to grant it thee unjust, That equal over equals monarch reign : Thyself though great and glorious doft thou count, Or all angelic nature join'd in one, Equal to him begotten Son? by whom 835 As by his Word the mighty Father made 4 All things, ev'n thee; and all the spi'rits of Heav'n By him created in their bright degrees, 841 Crown'd them with glory', and to their glory nam'd So fpake the fervent angel; but his zeal Th' Apoftate, and more haughty thus reply'd, 850 That we were form'd then say'st thou? and the work Of fecondary hands, by task transferr'd From Father to his Son? strange point and new! 855 [fa w 860 Doctrin which we would know whence learn'd: who 865 870 875 He faid, and as the found of waters deep Hoarfe Murmur echo'd to his words applaufe Through th' infinite hoft; nor lefs for that The flaming feraph fearless, though alone Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O Alienate from God, O Spi'rit accurs'd, Forfaken of all good; I fee thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Meffiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchfaf'd; other degrees 880 Against thee are gone forth without recal; 885 Thefe wicked tents devoted, left the wrath 890 Impendent, raging into fudden flame Distinguish not for foon expect to feel When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number, nor example with him wrought 900 To fwerve from truth, or change his constant mind Though fingle. From amidst them forth he pass'd Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd, Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought; And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd 905 On thofe proud towers to swift destruction doom'd. From the APOLLO PRESS, by the MARTINS, 17th August, 1776. END OF VOLUME FIRST. |