Mundorum Explicatio or, The Explanation of an Hieroglyphical Figure: Wherein are couched the Mysteries of the External, Internal, and Eternal Worlds, shewing the true progress of a Soul from the Court of Jerusalem; from the Adamical fallen state to the Regenerate and Angelical. Being A Sacred Poem, written by S. P. [i.e. Samuel Pordage] |
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Locus Purgatorius inter Mundos.
O avarice!
for Gold, and Silver's prize,
The golden Truth, thou 'ast turn'd to drossy Lyes!
Best things corrupted prove the worst of all:
By Rome's false Limbo, doth true LIMBO fall.
The Christian Churches first blest Founders sure,
Their Streams delated from the Fountain pure:
Heav'n put that breath into their mouths, which they
Inspired thus, to others did conveigh.
The holy Ghost upon them breath'd, nor was
Their Words corrupted by an humane glosse.
Then flourish'd Truth, and all our Hyerarchie
Rejoyc'd so pure a Church on Earth to see.
No pitchy clouds of error then did presse
'Twixt their eyes, and the Sun of Righteousnesse;
The Truth shon then as clear, as doth the Sun
Mounted in 's golden Chariot, at noon.
(Christs Church sees clearly still where e'r it be
Scatter'd, through others; and the Head is he)
But envious Sathan, when he saw Truth so
Extreamly spread, and o're the World to grow;
He sew'd his Tares of Errors, and did blind
With clouds of darknesse, Man's true eye, the Mind.
These faster than the true Wheat grew; this crop
Of evil weeds, did soon the Wheat o're-top.
Darknesse grew on apace; anon the Day
Could not its Light but here and there display,
Th'rough the small cranies of dark clouds: then 'twas
Pride, and Ambition in Rome's Church took place:
Then crept in all those Ceremonies; then
The Truth gave place unto the wiles of Men.
Then Avarice, with her hook'd Talons made
Such Laws, which turn'd Religion to a Trade,
And for the Love of Money did disguise
Fair Truth, and cloath'd her with a pack of Lies.
Something of precious Truth; something of Day,
Under disguise; under the clouds there lay.
Your Silver ISIS about Chelsy's not,
The same, as where his bubling springs do put
First forth their Crystal Heads near Thorlton, for
Churne's, Windrushe's, and Cherwell's waters there
And Tame's, Coln's, Brents, with his clear streams do run:
So on the other side he entertain
Doth Ock, Lad, Kennet, Surrie's Rivers too,
Whose severe Waters with his mingle do:
Yet with these may at Chelsy run the same
Pure waters, which from his clear spring-head came.
So pure Religion's streams, by this time had
With many of Hel's Stygian stream-lets spread,
Which were polluted with their Waters, yet
Amongst them Truth's pure Crystal streams did flit,
But so bemudded that they scarce were seen
But by those clear eyes who did dive for them.
The snowy flow'r is mixed with the Bran:
The chaff with Wheat; one sift the other fan
We must: not fling them both away, and make
Th' one uselesse for us, for the other's sake.
We must beware when that the Tares we cull,
Lest we with them the Wheat up also pull.
Fifteen Cent'ries, and two decades of years,
After Christ's death, from Isleben appears
A Light by which Rome's muddy streams were seen,
By which the Truth men strove to cull between
Error's black clouds; But Zeal them so possest,
They her rejected, 'cause by Rome's hands drest.
So fearful were they of a Romish dresse,
That Truth they 'ad rather leave, than her possesse
In that false Habit; many Truth's despis'd
Were thus, because by Rome they were disguis'd.
Among the rest, and not the least, this place,
This Region which thou now behold'st, one was:
And 'cause Rome's fopperies had obscur'd the Light
Of it, forsooth they it discarded quite:
And by the ears it from existence whorry,
For fear of entertaining Purgatory.
The golden Truth, thou 'ast turn'd to drossy Lyes!
Best things corrupted prove the worst of all:
By Rome's false Limbo, doth true LIMBO fall.
The Christian Churches first blest Founders sure,
Their Streams delated from the Fountain pure:
Heav'n put that breath into their mouths, which they
Inspired thus, to others did conveigh.
The holy Ghost upon them breath'd, nor was
Their Words corrupted by an humane glosse.
Then flourish'd Truth, and all our Hyerarchie
Rejoyc'd so pure a Church on Earth to see.
No pitchy clouds of error then did presse
'Twixt their eyes, and the Sun of Righteousnesse;
The Truth shon then as clear, as doth the Sun
Mounted in 's golden Chariot, at noon.
220
Scatter'd, through others; and the Head is he)
But envious Sathan, when he saw Truth so
Extreamly spread, and o're the World to grow;
He sew'd his Tares of Errors, and did blind
With clouds of darknesse, Man's true eye, the Mind.
These faster than the true Wheat grew; this crop
Of evil weeds, did soon the Wheat o're-top.
Darknesse grew on apace; anon the Day
Could not its Light but here and there display,
Th'rough the small cranies of dark clouds: then 'twas
Pride, and Ambition in Rome's Church took place:
Then crept in all those Ceremonies; then
The Truth gave place unto the wiles of Men.
Then Avarice, with her hook'd Talons made
Such Laws, which turn'd Religion to a Trade,
And for the Love of Money did disguise
Fair Truth, and cloath'd her with a pack of Lies.
Something of precious Truth; something of Day,
Under disguise; under the clouds there lay.
Your Silver ISIS about Chelsy's not,
The same, as where his bubling springs do put
First forth their Crystal Heads near Thorlton, for
Churne's, Windrushe's, and Cherwell's waters there
And Tame's, Coln's, Brents, with his clear streams do run:
So on the other side he entertain
Doth Ock, Lad, Kennet, Surrie's Rivers too,
Whose severe Waters with his mingle do:
Yet with these may at Chelsy run the same
Pure waters, which from his clear spring-head came.
So pure Religion's streams, by this time had
With many of Hel's Stygian stream-lets spread,
Which were polluted with their Waters, yet
Amongst them Truth's pure Crystal streams did flit,
But so bemudded that they scarce were seen
But by those clear eyes who did dive for them.
The snowy flow'r is mixed with the Bran:
The chaff with Wheat; one sift the other fan
We must: not fling them both away, and make
Th' one uselesse for us, for the other's sake.
221
Lest we with them the Wheat up also pull.
Fifteen Cent'ries, and two decades of years,
After Christ's death, from Isleben appears
A Light by which Rome's muddy streams were seen,
By which the Truth men strove to cull between
Error's black clouds; But Zeal them so possest,
They her rejected, 'cause by Rome's hands drest.
So fearful were they of a Romish dresse,
That Truth they 'ad rather leave, than her possesse
In that false Habit; many Truth's despis'd
Were thus, because by Rome they were disguis'd.
Among the rest, and not the least, this place,
This Region which thou now behold'st, one was:
And 'cause Rome's fopperies had obscur'd the Light
Of it, forsooth they it discarded quite:
And by the ears it from existence whorry,
For fear of entertaining Purgatory.
The Truth of it now testifie thou mayst
To others, now thy self thou seen it hast.
It is not such thou seest as Rome doth fain,
For th' all-corrupting Gold, and Silver's gain.
This is the middle Region, and doth hide
It self between four Worlds, on every side
They bound this place. Would'st thou know who those be
Who yonder up and down you wandering see?
They are departed Souls, who had begun
The holy Race to Sion's Hill to run:
Who had Hel's broad Rode left, and who in this
Heav'ns Path, some progress made had towards Blisse;
But e'r their Natures purified were,
E'r they attain'd had to that happy Sphear,
Which unto Paradise immediate leads,
Parca assunder cut their vital thread:
Their parted souls then to this Region flew,
Where they must perfect what they had to do,
VVhere they 'till purified must remain,
E'r they to Paradise admittance gain.
Th'rough Hel's deep Centre must the Soul first pass,
And th'rough a Sea of Fire to that of Glass,
Th'rough the first Principle (as thou anon
Shalt see) Now if the Soul's not cloath'd upon
With Christ's sanguinous Robe, the second and
Most holy Principle, she cannot stand,
But there is captivate, or beaten back
Unto the Crosse, t'endure the holy Rack,
By putting off the first, that so she may
With th' second Principle her self array:
Then may she passe, and not before; Those who
In flesh this holy Robe do not indue,
But dying hold by Faith's strong clue: are brought
Hither, to finish what remains unwrought.
To others, now thy self thou seen it hast.
It is not such thou seest as Rome doth fain,
For th' all-corrupting Gold, and Silver's gain.
This is the middle Region, and doth hide
It self between four Worlds, on every side
They bound this place. Would'st thou know who those be
Who yonder up and down you wandering see?
They are departed Souls, who had begun
The holy Race to Sion's Hill to run:
Who had Hel's broad Rode left, and who in this
Heav'ns Path, some progress made had towards Blisse;
But e'r their Natures purified were,
E'r they attain'd had to that happy Sphear,
Which unto Paradise immediate leads,
Parca assunder cut their vital thread:
Their parted souls then to this Region flew,
Where they must perfect what they had to do,
VVhere they 'till purified must remain,
E'r they to Paradise admittance gain.
Th'rough Hel's deep Centre must the Soul first pass,
And th'rough a Sea of Fire to that of Glass,
222
Shalt see) Now if the Soul's not cloath'd upon
With Christ's sanguinous Robe, the second and
Most holy Principle, she cannot stand,
But there is captivate, or beaten back
Unto the Crosse, t'endure the holy Rack,
By putting off the first, that so she may
With th' second Principle her self array:
Then may she passe, and not before; Those who
In flesh this holy Robe do not indue,
But dying hold by Faith's strong clue: are brought
Hither, to finish what remains unwrought.
The Way to Heav'n is not so easie, as
By poor beguiled Man imagin'd was:
Straight is that Gate, and narrow is that Way,
Which Mortals doth conduct to perfect Day:
He that to presse th'row this straight Gate would seek,
Must fling the World, and flesh from off his neck,
They cannot enter Heav'n with him; nor can
Some Notions prove a Saviour unto Man:
The Work must somewhere finish'd be; if on
The Earth, to Heav'n they go: if not 'till done
It fully be they here remain: But those
Wend straight to Hell, who Hel's high-way had chose.
By poor beguiled Man imagin'd was:
Straight is that Gate, and narrow is that Way,
Which Mortals doth conduct to perfect Day:
He that to presse th'row this straight Gate would seek,
Must fling the World, and flesh from off his neck,
They cannot enter Heav'n with him; nor can
Some Notions prove a Saviour unto Man:
The Work must somewhere finish'd be; if on
The Earth, to Heav'n they go: if not 'till done
It fully be they here remain: But those
Wend straight to Hell, who Hel's high-way had chose.
Man calls God merciful, yet makes the same
God, the third part of all mankind to damn.
Hard-hearted Man! dost thou not know there is
An armed Cherub 'fore the Gate of Blisse?
Dost thou not know that Paradise is kept,
By Armes unwearied, Eyes that never slept?
By a bright flaming Fauchon, which enough
Of terrour strikes to keep the wicked off?
Or tell me Man! hast thou yet never heard
That Imperfection cannot passe this Guard?
Nor flesh, nor blood can enter Heav'n, nor can
Ever come there the least imperfect man.
No Imperfections enter Paradise.
If Man's not perfect then before he dyes,
(A some by no means grant) where shall he then
Be perfect made, but in this Region?
'Tis true, degrees there in perfection are:
None throughly perfect is till he comes, where
Mortality of Immortality
Is swal ow'd up: where he beholds the Eye,
And Face of God without a Skreen: to this
None can attain whilst in the flesh he is.
How few are there that to a perfect State
Arrive, before Death Life doth terminate!
To such a State I mean, in which they may
To Paradise go, and make here no stay,
When their Souls fly their Bodies: Souls must clear
Be purg'd on Earth, from what they drunk in there.
It is not Notions that the Work must do,
It must be real, and done throughly too:
This Work not in the Head, but Heart doth lye,
That's most regarded by th' all-seeing Eye:
If they with Christ, are truly risen, they
When Dye, passe by this purging Region may.
God, the third part of all mankind to damn.
Hard-hearted Man! dost thou not know there is
An armed Cherub 'fore the Gate of Blisse?
Dost thou not know that Paradise is kept,
By Armes unwearied, Eyes that never slept?
By a bright flaming Fauchon, which enough
Of terrour strikes to keep the wicked off?
Or tell me Man! hast thou yet never heard
That Imperfection cannot passe this Guard?
Nor flesh, nor blood can enter Heav'n, nor can
Ever come there the least imperfect man.
No Imperfections enter Paradise.
If Man's not perfect then before he dyes,
(A some by no means grant) where shall he then
Be perfect made, but in this Region?
223
None throughly perfect is till he comes, where
Mortality of Immortality
Is swal ow'd up: where he beholds the Eye,
And Face of God without a Skreen: to this
None can attain whilst in the flesh he is.
How few are there that to a perfect State
Arrive, before Death Life doth terminate!
To such a State I mean, in which they may
To Paradise go, and make here no stay,
When their Souls fly their Bodies: Souls must clear
Be purg'd on Earth, from what they drunk in there.
It is not Notions that the Work must do,
It must be real, and done throughly too:
This Work not in the Head, but Heart doth lye,
That's most regarded by th' all-seeing Eye:
If they with Christ, are truly risen, they
When Dye, passe by this purging Region may.
But tell me Man! what shall those Pilgrim's do,
VVho in Heav'ns Way have gone, but come not to
Be dead, and risen with our Lord, when by
The Way they lose their mortal Life, and dye?
They are not fit for Paradise: What then?
Must they be hurled to the Stygian Den?
Must they be damn'd? with God's great Mercy rather
Doth it not stand, to bring their Spirits hither?
Where they may finish, what they had begun;
And to the end of Sion's Race may run?
Dost say 'tis by Christ's Blood they'r purg'd? we know't:
But dost thou know what time he'l take to do't?
'Tis he that doth it here; 'tis by his Blood,
And in this place that they are purifi'd.
VVho in Heav'ns Way have gone, but come not to
Be dead, and risen with our Lord, when by
The Way they lose their mortal Life, and dye?
They are not fit for Paradise: What then?
Must they be hurled to the Stygian Den?
Must they be damn'd? with God's great Mercy rather
Doth it not stand, to bring their Spirits hither?
Where they may finish, what they had begun;
And to the end of Sion's Race may run?
Dost say 'tis by Christ's Blood they'r purg'd? we know't:
But dost thou know what time he'l take to do't?
'Tis he that doth it here; 'tis by his Blood,
And in this place that they are purifi'd.
It was dear Pilgrim Man's stupidity,
That me enforc'd to this Apostrophe.
But now, I'le tell thee more: This is the place
Which by Christ's Sermon once made happy was,
When he to those who perish'd in the flood
Repentance preach'd; and made predictions good.
'Twas to the dead departed souls that he,
Bestow'd his blessed! bounteous Charity
After his own death, when he had in one
By an Hypostatical Union,
His humane Soul, and Deity conjoyn'd,
And not in Noah's time, as some divin'd.
To Spirits, not to Men in flesh he spake,
And did their Prison, then a Temple make.
That me enforc'd to this Apostrophe.
But now, I'le tell thee more: This is the place
Which by Christ's Sermon once made happy was,
224
Repentance preach'd; and made predictions good.
'Twas to the dead departed souls that he,
Bestow'd his blessed! bounteous Charity
After his own death, when he had in one
By an Hypostatical Union,
His humane Soul, and Deity conjoyn'd,
And not in Noah's time, as some divin'd.
To Spirits, not to Men in flesh he spake,
And did their Prison, then a Temple make.
I would a question ask of peevish man,
Who doth to Death, those you call Heathen damn,
Se'ing God all-mighty did with those souls bear,
Who 'fore the flood would not his servant hear.
But perish'd by the Waters, and did them
Not to an everlasting Death Condemn,
But to this Region brought their souls, where they
Their Ransom might with true Repentance pay:
Whither the Gentiles, (who but 'bate their name
Do in morality most Christians shame)
Who before Christ's time liv'd by Nature's Law,
And conscientious unto what they saw;
Who had indu'd a moral Honesty,
Studious of that, and all Sobriety,
Seeing that their Nature's dim taper had
Only to walk by, though their Light was bad
They walk'd as well, as that could guide; and though
They wanted that bright Sun, which we do know,
They God in some part knew: whether these be
Condemn'd to Hell for all Æternity?
Or whether God his Mercy has not shown
To them, and brought them to this Region?
Where they by Christ might saved be, se'ing none
Are saved but by blessed Him alone?
Seeing the Lord's more merciful, than to
Require of them, more than they ever knew:
Being Transgression's not without a Law;
And none damn'd for breach of what he ne'r saw;
This I would ask Man, but I think that he
Sarcasmes would return, not answer me,
Let not the World presume, nor yet surmise,
Because the Heathens works they equalize
That they shall hith'r attain: God has an higher
And brighter Light gi'n to the World; Require
He therefore now doth at the Hands of Men,
Far greater things, than he expected then.
Man's Talent's greater now: the Stars upon
The Heathens only, now on Men the Sun
Doth clearle shine: Who falls for want of sight
God pitty'd; but will not now men have Light.
But let's proceed for I have stai'd too long
To speak of what the World doth count a Song.
The Pilgrim hearing this, his eyes withdrew,
And bid the Spirits Ergastule adieu.
Who doth to Death, those you call Heathen damn,
Se'ing God all-mighty did with those souls bear,
Who 'fore the flood would not his servant hear.
But perish'd by the Waters, and did them
Not to an everlasting Death Condemn,
But to this Region brought their souls, where they
Their Ransom might with true Repentance pay:
Whither the Gentiles, (who but 'bate their name
Do in morality most Christians shame)
Who before Christ's time liv'd by Nature's Law,
And conscientious unto what they saw;
Who had indu'd a moral Honesty,
Studious of that, and all Sobriety,
Seeing that their Nature's dim taper had
Only to walk by, though their Light was bad
They walk'd as well, as that could guide; and though
They wanted that bright Sun, which we do know,
They God in some part knew: whether these be
Condemn'd to Hell for all Æternity?
Or whether God his Mercy has not shown
To them, and brought them to this Region?
Where they by Christ might saved be, se'ing none
Are saved but by blessed Him alone?
Seeing the Lord's more merciful, than to
Require of them, more than they ever knew:
Being Transgression's not without a Law;
And none damn'd for breach of what he ne'r saw;
This I would ask Man, but I think that he
Sarcasmes would return, not answer me,
225
Because the Heathens works they equalize
That they shall hith'r attain: God has an higher
And brighter Light gi'n to the World; Require
He therefore now doth at the Hands of Men,
Far greater things, than he expected then.
Man's Talent's greater now: the Stars upon
The Heathens only, now on Men the Sun
Doth clearle shine: Who falls for want of sight
God pitty'd; but will not now men have Light.
But let's proceed for I have stai'd too long
To speak of what the World doth count a Song.
The Pilgrim hearing this, his eyes withdrew,
And bid the Spirits Ergastule adieu.
Now hand in hand they went, but straight they were
Come to the entrance of another Sphear.
The place seem'd like a grave; 'twas where such dead
As he was, used to be buried.
The Pilgrim looked in, but in the place
Nothing but a most horrid darkness was,
Which equaliz'd the pitchy clouds, which fume
At black Avernus from Hel's horrid womb.
'Twas Tænarus or th' entrance into Hell,
Or from the third, to the first Principle.
But thus the Angel to the Pilgrim said;
This is the grave in which no man was laid
Before the mighty Son of God; 'twas here
His sacred Virgin Limbs first layed were:
Here was he buried, here must also thou
Into this Grave, as he did, enter too.
I'le be thy Guide, fear not, thy Coat will keep
Off all the vapours of th' infernal deep
From hurting thee. This said, they both into
That Cave of darksome Night together go.
Come to the entrance of another Sphear.
The place seem'd like a grave; 'twas where such dead
As he was, used to be buried.
The Pilgrim looked in, but in the place
Nothing but a most horrid darkness was,
Which equaliz'd the pitchy clouds, which fume
At black Avernus from Hel's horrid womb.
'Twas Tænarus or th' entrance into Hell,
Or from the third, to the first Principle.
But thus the Angel to the Pilgrim said;
This is the grave in which no man was laid
Before the mighty Son of God; 'twas here
His sacred Virgin Limbs first layed were:
Here was he buried, here must also thou
Into this Grave, as he did, enter too.
I'le be thy Guide, fear not, thy Coat will keep
Off all the vapours of th' infernal deep
From hurting thee. This said, they both into
That Cave of darksome Night together go.
Fancy not Reader, that our Pilgrim crept
Into some Cave, or down some Cavern stept:
Or that the Worlds by outward distance are
Disjoyn'd: they are contingent every where,
And yet there is a Gulf between: but this
The entrance is into that dark Abysse,
A sinking down from the third Principle
Towards the Centre of the deepest Hell.
The darkest pitchy Night that ever was,
Her sables could not to this horrid place
Compare: This is the Fountain (when she lacks)
Whence she expromes her jetty deep-dy'd blacks.
Here 'tis she dips her inky Mantles; Here
In soot, or pitch she dyes, what she doth wear:
Hence she those black Screens has, which from our sights
Oft times do hide Heav'n's little twinkling Lights.
But th' happy Pilgrim, and the Angel here
In spight of all Hel's pitch their Way see clear.
No Carbuncle, whose fiery Rayes doth Night
Chase from his presence, ever gave such Light,
As that Purpurean Garment he had on,
Which like ten thousand joyned Rubine's shon;
And those bright Rayes which from the Angels Face
Calligenous Night did from their presence chase.
Backward she flew, as they approach'd, and fell
Just at the Feet of the great Prince of Hell.
But as they onward went, a pointed Ray
Beam'd neer the place, where all the Devils lay:
Hell started back, and all the damned Crew
Under dark inky waves together flew.
Nothing more terrible is to their sight,
Than the least beaming, or a Ray of Light.
Great PLUTO trembled, and his Throne did shake,
He fear'd least Christ another Voyage make
Might th'rough his Kingdom, to add pains to pains,
Closer Confinement, and more chaines to chaines.
But having drunk a draught of Stygian Nectar,
He furious grows: Am not I Hell's PROTECTOR?
Cry'd he; Did not I dare at once to flye
'Gainst Heav'n's own Face, and all his Hierarchie?
Do I so many Legions Command?
And do I here sneaking, and trembling stand?
And dare not venture to see who these be,
That dare to venture on my Hell, and me?
That dare in Hostile manner thus invade
My Realm, and Captivate with Light my shade?
I'le see who 'tis: If 't be not him I fear
So much, my looks shall hence all others scare.
Into some Cave, or down some Cavern stept:
Or that the Worlds by outward distance are
Disjoyn'd: they are contingent every where,
And yet there is a Gulf between: but this
The entrance is into that dark Abysse,
226
Towards the Centre of the deepest Hell.
The darkest pitchy Night that ever was,
Her sables could not to this horrid place
Compare: This is the Fountain (when she lacks)
Whence she expromes her jetty deep-dy'd blacks.
Here 'tis she dips her inky Mantles; Here
In soot, or pitch she dyes, what she doth wear:
Hence she those black Screens has, which from our sights
Oft times do hide Heav'n's little twinkling Lights.
But th' happy Pilgrim, and the Angel here
In spight of all Hel's pitch their Way see clear.
No Carbuncle, whose fiery Rayes doth Night
Chase from his presence, ever gave such Light,
As that Purpurean Garment he had on,
Which like ten thousand joyned Rubine's shon;
And those bright Rayes which from the Angels Face
Calligenous Night did from their presence chase.
Backward she flew, as they approach'd, and fell
Just at the Feet of the great Prince of Hell.
But as they onward went, a pointed Ray
Beam'd neer the place, where all the Devils lay:
Hell started back, and all the damned Crew
Under dark inky waves together flew.
Nothing more terrible is to their sight,
Than the least beaming, or a Ray of Light.
Great PLUTO trembled, and his Throne did shake,
He fear'd least Christ another Voyage make
Might th'rough his Kingdom, to add pains to pains,
Closer Confinement, and more chaines to chaines.
But having drunk a draught of Stygian Nectar,
He furious grows: Am not I Hell's PROTECTOR?
Cry'd he; Did not I dare at once to flye
'Gainst Heav'n's own Face, and all his Hierarchie?
Do I so many Legions Command?
And do I here sneaking, and trembling stand?
And dare not venture to see who these be,
That dare to venture on my Hell, and me?
That dare in Hostile manner thus invade
My Realm, and Captivate with Light my shade?
227
So much, my looks shall hence all others scare.
With that an hideous rore he gave, and from
All parts of Hell Legions of Devils come,
These hellish Troops follow their Princely Lord,
Cloath'd with the darkest pitch Hell could afford;
Each had a shield lin'd with ten thousand shades,
To keep off Light; when it their eyes invades.
Yet not secure, each muffles up his sight,
With Tartarus's black Lawnes, and furrs of Night.
These met the Pilgrim, but no sooner had
His eyes, and garment their bless'd Beamings shed
Upon these Troops, but they fall back, and rend
Hel's strong Foundations, with the cryes they send
From their black throats: Rage issu'd from their eyes,
And from their mouths and tongues fell Blasphemies.
They knew that bloody Dye, that Robe was fear'd,
The sight of it Dis, and his Troops thus scar'd.
O who can paint the noise of Hell, the roar
Great Sathan gave the neighbour Pillars tore.
Ten hundred thousand ratling chaines did clink,
Th'rough the place flew a Sulphurian stink,
Thinking the Pilgrim with the stinch to choak:
From their mouths flew Volumns, and clouds of smoak.
This sight amaz'd our Traveller, the smell
Of Sulphure, Brimstone, and of Nitre fell
Out of those clouds; and all the stinking fume
Fly'ng th'rough the place, did to his nosethrils come.
His eares with curses, and with Blasphemy
VVere fil'd; the clouds which all about did flye
Prest th'rough his lips, and touching there his tongue,
VVith bitter horrid acritude it stung.
Strange pricking atoms, which did touch his skin
Invisibly annoy'd him with their sting:
VVhole streams of venom rouled at his feet,
Which mighty Pluto from his mouth had spit.
But all this while with hideous roars, and cryes,
All the black Troops of Hell before him flies,
Ratling their chaines, and to avoid his sight,
Wrapping themselves in smoaky clouds of Night.
But Hel's infernal mighty Prince, once more
His flying Troops stops with an hideous roar,
And shaking his dire snaky Locks he cry'd:
You mighty Sons, and I great Prince of Pride,
Why flee we thus? By my great Iron Rod,
My Head, and Throne, 'tis not the Son of God
Who loaded these Imperial Hands with chaines,
And whose great Power m'imperial might restraines.
This is some puny Saint, some counterfeit,
Whom Zeal hath hither brought with hasty feet
To pass our Kingdom, unto Paradise;
Me thinks we should not daunted thus agnize
His power: Ah! wer't not for that curs'd Coat
He wears, how soon I'd cut his Saintships throat.
But seeing 'tis not Christ himself, I vow
I scorn to any of his Train to bow.
He cannot hurt us, let us shew him then,
That we have power to drive him back ag'en.
Let's 'fright him if we can: Torment alass!
To see our Foes th'rough our own Realm to pass,
Spite of our teeths! I am resolv'd to try't
With him, and though I fal I'le shew my spight,
This said his rallied Troops their Horns do whet
Upon a Rock of Adamant; and set
Their stoutest courage up: great LUCIFER
A beam of Iron in his hand doth bear,
His eyes like Lamps were; from his nosethrils flew
Black clouds of smoak, his Whale-like mouth did spew
Flames like a Furnace; and an hundred shoales
Of melting bullets, and red glowing coals.
His Iron Mace against a Rock he strook,
And a great Lake of fire, and brimstone took
Its rise from thence, which spreading all about,
Up to the knees he wadeth hurtlesse th'rough't.
All parts of Hell Legions of Devils come,
These hellish Troops follow their Princely Lord,
Cloath'd with the darkest pitch Hell could afford;
Each had a shield lin'd with ten thousand shades,
To keep off Light; when it their eyes invades.
Yet not secure, each muffles up his sight,
With Tartarus's black Lawnes, and furrs of Night.
These met the Pilgrim, but no sooner had
His eyes, and garment their bless'd Beamings shed
Upon these Troops, but they fall back, and rend
Hel's strong Foundations, with the cryes they send
From their black throats: Rage issu'd from their eyes,
And from their mouths and tongues fell Blasphemies.
They knew that bloody Dye, that Robe was fear'd,
The sight of it Dis, and his Troops thus scar'd.
O who can paint the noise of Hell, the roar
Great Sathan gave the neighbour Pillars tore.
Ten hundred thousand ratling chaines did clink,
Th'rough the place flew a Sulphurian stink,
Thinking the Pilgrim with the stinch to choak:
From their mouths flew Volumns, and clouds of smoak.
This sight amaz'd our Traveller, the smell
Of Sulphure, Brimstone, and of Nitre fell
Out of those clouds; and all the stinking fume
Fly'ng th'rough the place, did to his nosethrils come.
His eares with curses, and with Blasphemy
VVere fil'd; the clouds which all about did flye
Prest th'rough his lips, and touching there his tongue,
VVith bitter horrid acritude it stung.
Strange pricking atoms, which did touch his skin
Invisibly annoy'd him with their sting:
VVhole streams of venom rouled at his feet,
Which mighty Pluto from his mouth had spit.
But all this while with hideous roars, and cryes,
All the black Troops of Hell before him flies,
Ratling their chaines, and to avoid his sight,
Wrapping themselves in smoaky clouds of Night.
228
His flying Troops stops with an hideous roar,
And shaking his dire snaky Locks he cry'd:
You mighty Sons, and I great Prince of Pride,
Why flee we thus? By my great Iron Rod,
My Head, and Throne, 'tis not the Son of God
Who loaded these Imperial Hands with chaines,
And whose great Power m'imperial might restraines.
This is some puny Saint, some counterfeit,
Whom Zeal hath hither brought with hasty feet
To pass our Kingdom, unto Paradise;
Me thinks we should not daunted thus agnize
His power: Ah! wer't not for that curs'd Coat
He wears, how soon I'd cut his Saintships throat.
But seeing 'tis not Christ himself, I vow
I scorn to any of his Train to bow.
He cannot hurt us, let us shew him then,
That we have power to drive him back ag'en.
Let's 'fright him if we can: Torment alass!
To see our Foes th'rough our own Realm to pass,
Spite of our teeths! I am resolv'd to try't
With him, and though I fal I'le shew my spight,
This said his rallied Troops their Horns do whet
Upon a Rock of Adamant; and set
Their stoutest courage up: great LUCIFER
A beam of Iron in his hand doth bear,
His eyes like Lamps were; from his nosethrils flew
Black clouds of smoak, his Whale-like mouth did spew
Flames like a Furnace; and an hundred shoales
Of melting bullets, and red glowing coals.
His Iron Mace against a Rock he strook,
And a great Lake of fire, and brimstone took
Its rise from thence, which spreading all about,
Up to the knees he wadeth hurtlesse th'rough't.
Thus he appears, and thinks by this to 'fray
Th' unmoved Traveller out of his Way;
Put that bless'd Robe in which he was bewrap'd,
The Pilgrim dauntlesse, and in safety kept.
The hellish light'ning from his Head was beat
Back, by the golden Bayes that compass'd it:
And maugre Hell, and all its power could do,
Victoriously, unstop'd he passed th'rough:
For Hell still dazeled at the Light he bore
Flung down his fires, and fled as once before.
There was no Guilt for Hell to fasten on;
For if there had, Hell had the Conquest won:
And if there had, the Cherub's flaming Sword
To Paradise no passage would afford.
For now he saw the passage fill'd with flame,
Which from a supercilious Angel came.
A mighty Sword he held, from whence a stream
Of flaming Fire th'rough the place did beam:
Into 't our Pilgrim went, and bravely bold,
Walk'd th'rough the midst; and like seven times tri'd Gold
Shon brighter than those flames. Untouch'd his hair
Was, and the garment which his shoulders bare.
To him bow'd down the Angel-Centinal,
And gave free passage to the brazen Wall.
Th' unmoved Traveller out of his Way;
Put that bless'd Robe in which he was bewrap'd,
The Pilgrim dauntlesse, and in safety kept.
The hellish light'ning from his Head was beat
Back, by the golden Bayes that compass'd it:
229
Victoriously, unstop'd he passed th'rough:
For Hell still dazeled at the Light he bore
Flung down his fires, and fled as once before.
There was no Guilt for Hell to fasten on;
For if there had, Hell had the Conquest won:
And if there had, the Cherub's flaming Sword
To Paradise no passage would afford.
For now he saw the passage fill'd with flame,
Which from a supercilious Angel came.
A mighty Sword he held, from whence a stream
Of flaming Fire th'rough the place did beam:
Into 't our Pilgrim went, and bravely bold,
Walk'd th'rough the midst; and like seven times tri'd Gold
Shon brighter than those flames. Untouch'd his hair
Was, and the garment which his shoulders bare.
To him bow'd down the Angel-Centinal,
And gave free passage to the brazen Wall.
Now was his heart amazed, when he saw
The separation plac'd by Heav'n's hard Law;
'Twixt man, and Paradise: on heaps there was
A mountanous ruine of the sollid'st Brass,
Which like huge Mountains heap'd together, and
As Monuments lay of some mighty Hand.
For part of that great Wall (which was so high
That its proud top our Pilgrim with his eye
Could not attain) it was; now down, a Gap
It left; which never could be mended up.
After the Pilgrim all amaz'd had view'd
That Sconce of Brass, he to the Angel su'd,
To let him know by what Hand built it was,
And what strength had broke down that league-thick Brass.
The Angel who such favours ne'r deny'd
To him, after a little pause reply'd.
The separation plac'd by Heav'n's hard Law;
'Twixt man, and Paradise: on heaps there was
A mountanous ruine of the sollid'st Brass,
Which like huge Mountains heap'd together, and
As Monuments lay of some mighty Hand.
For part of that great Wall (which was so high
That its proud top our Pilgrim with his eye
Could not attain) it was; now down, a Gap
It left; which never could be mended up.
After the Pilgrim all amaz'd had view'd
That Sconce of Brass, he to the Angel su'd,
To let him know by what Hand built it was,
And what strength had broke down that league-thick Brass.
The Angel who such favours ne'r deny'd
To him, after a little pause reply'd.
You stand amazed at these ruines; I
As much amaz'd at Man's impiety
Do stand: for this immense and mighty breach
To thankless man Æternal Love doth preach:
And yet ingrateful He, abase the Power
Doth of his only and great Saviour.
I tremble now I think how some men dare
Speak slightly of him, who is Heav'ns own heir.
How some men dare, O horrid! to deny
His Godhead: fearful! fearful Blasphemy!
How some Men dare to say blest Jesus did
Do nothing for them, when h'at Salem dy'd.
Would all such now were here to see the Power,
He had, and how he was a Saviour,
To all that ever saved were. VVould Heaven
Had me to trumpet This Commission given,
Th'rough all the quarters of the World I'd sound
This act; th' effect of Love, and Strength profound.
Would now the Winds th'rough every Land might blow
My words, that all, what I tell thee might know:
That so they might ne'r hear blest Jesu's Name,
But their proud Hearts, and Knees bow at the same.
Consider well this brazen VVall; your eyes
Are too too weak unto the top to rise:
How thick it is! Behold how vast! VVhat one
Could ever climb o're it, or break it down?
Could all the World, and if they hither came
VVith Catapults, or Tower-shaking Rams?
Or their vast Bombards, damage this great Wall?
Or a thousand shot make any sign at all?
How vain would all their strength be! Jesus then
As more Love, so more strength had than all Men:
'Twas his own Hand, and his own Hand alone,
That made this breach, that pul'd this Brass-wall down.
As much amaz'd at Man's impiety
Do stand: for this immense and mighty breach
To thankless man Æternal Love doth preach:
And yet ingrateful He, abase the Power
Doth of his only and great Saviour.
230
Speak slightly of him, who is Heav'ns own heir.
How some men dare, O horrid! to deny
His Godhead: fearful! fearful Blasphemy!
How some Men dare to say blest Jesus did
Do nothing for them, when h'at Salem dy'd.
Would all such now were here to see the Power,
He had, and how he was a Saviour,
To all that ever saved were. VVould Heaven
Had me to trumpet This Commission given,
Th'rough all the quarters of the World I'd sound
This act; th' effect of Love, and Strength profound.
Would now the Winds th'rough every Land might blow
My words, that all, what I tell thee might know:
That so they might ne'r hear blest Jesu's Name,
But their proud Hearts, and Knees bow at the same.
Consider well this brazen VVall; your eyes
Are too too weak unto the top to rise:
How thick it is! Behold how vast! VVhat one
Could ever climb o're it, or break it down?
Could all the World, and if they hither came
VVith Catapults, or Tower-shaking Rams?
Or their vast Bombards, damage this great Wall?
Or a thousand shot make any sign at all?
How vain would all their strength be! Jesus then
As more Love, so more strength had than all Men:
'Twas his own Hand, and his own Hand alone,
That made this breach, that pul'd this Brass-wall down.
Pilgrim attend! The Protoplast once did
On Earth behold that Realm, which now lies hid,
That Realm to which we press, bless'd Paradise,
Adam beheld on Earth with virgin Eyes.
The first, and second Principles did lie
Conjoyned to the third, in Harmony.
These were disjoyn'd by Adam's wretched sin,
And Harmony stept out, and discord in.
A sensual tast it was by which he lost
That place, which Jesu's dearest Blood hath cost,
For to redeem again for us. God's Wrath
And Justice be'ing awak'd against them both.
Both Adam, and his Eve; He them cast out
From thence, then wall'd it, with this Wall about.
The Guardian Cherubim he placed then,
VVith a versatile Sword to keep out Men.
O how the Devil rejoyc'd to see this Bar
To Blisse: Mine own (he cry'd) all Mortals are:
None can break this I'm sure; none now shall see,
Nor into Paradise admitted be.
Was it not sure enough? what Man could pass
Thorow this Fire, and o're this Wall of Brass?
And thus was Man excluded Paradise,
But less obscure, and trulier thus it is:
After that Unity had broken been,
And Discord introduced by the sin
Of Adam; strait the second Principle,
Drew from the Third, and in its Æther fell:
To its own Centre fled; the VVorld bereft
Of 't, was as well as Adam naked left.
Then the first Principle of Wrath was seen,
VVhich strait the third, and second stept between;
Th'rough which till Christ no man could ever pass:
This is the Cherub, and the wall of Brass.
This is the flaming Sword, which turns about,
To keep of Paradise all Mortals out.
And thus excluded they had ever been,
If Christ had not in Mercy entrance giv'n.
In fulness then of Time, down from above,
To take an humane Soul came mighty LOVE,
The second Person in the Trinity,
(O sacred! and thrice sacred Mysterie!)
To make a way for poor excluded Man,
Th'rough Hell to Heaven, for this end he came.
This none but mighty He could do, and this
Had he not done, Man ne'r had tasted Blisse.
On Earth behold that Realm, which now lies hid,
That Realm to which we press, bless'd Paradise,
Adam beheld on Earth with virgin Eyes.
The first, and second Principles did lie
Conjoyned to the third, in Harmony.
These were disjoyn'd by Adam's wretched sin,
And Harmony stept out, and discord in.
A sensual tast it was by which he lost
That place, which Jesu's dearest Blood hath cost,
For to redeem again for us. God's Wrath
And Justice be'ing awak'd against them both.
231
From thence, then wall'd it, with this Wall about.
The Guardian Cherubim he placed then,
VVith a versatile Sword to keep out Men.
O how the Devil rejoyc'd to see this Bar
To Blisse: Mine own (he cry'd) all Mortals are:
None can break this I'm sure; none now shall see,
Nor into Paradise admitted be.
Was it not sure enough? what Man could pass
Thorow this Fire, and o're this Wall of Brass?
And thus was Man excluded Paradise,
But less obscure, and trulier thus it is:
After that Unity had broken been,
And Discord introduced by the sin
Of Adam; strait the second Principle,
Drew from the Third, and in its Æther fell:
To its own Centre fled; the VVorld bereft
Of 't, was as well as Adam naked left.
Then the first Principle of Wrath was seen,
VVhich strait the third, and second stept between;
Th'rough which till Christ no man could ever pass:
This is the Cherub, and the wall of Brass.
This is the flaming Sword, which turns about,
To keep of Paradise all Mortals out.
And thus excluded they had ever been,
If Christ had not in Mercy entrance giv'n.
In fulness then of Time, down from above,
To take an humane Soul came mighty LOVE,
The second Person in the Trinity,
(O sacred! and thrice sacred Mysterie!)
To make a way for poor excluded Man,
Th'rough Hell to Heaven, for this end he came.
This none but mighty He could do, and this
Had he not done, Man ne'r had tasted Blisse.
VVhen he therefore the Cup of Wrath had drunk
Upon the Crosse, and into Death was sunk
Into these deeps he came, and that Way too,
By which from earth we hither came but now.
The common Road to Hell this is not, still
None this Way go, but against Sathan's will.
This is the private path th'rough Hell, to Heav'n,
By Christ to those who his steps follow, given.
This is the Path, by his blest death made Good,
Gained with pain, purchas'd with so much blood.
This is the Path which Hell still strives to hide,
Least Mortals by 't to Paradise should slide.
This is the Path which shews Christ's Power: It is
The Path which leads from miseries, to Blisse.
A spacious Road leads unto Pluto's Court,
On the left hand; where Mortals much resort;
Paved with pleasures, and external Blisse,
With Riches, honours, and such baites it is.
This Road brings to a Gate of Æbony,
Whose lofty portals, mounted are on high,
Whose wide-leav'd Gates by Pluto's strict command
Both Night, and Day, for ever open stand.
So wide they are, a World at once may in
Get, but a mite cannot return ag'in.
Such is the Hospitality of Hell,
Gratis all Men may there, for ever dwell.
This is the Gehenna; this the Lions Den
From whence there can be no Redemption.
This Road Christ's sheep do shun, for that Way is
The way to Torment, not the Path to Blisse.
'Till Christ this Way made, there no other was;
Therefore when first he came into this place,
Hell was amaz'd; and its foundation shook
Its mighty Pillars all assunder broke.
Great LUCIFER fell from his Æbon Seat,
And 's neck subjected unto Jesu's feet.
The trembling Devils roar'd, and with a Yell
Upon their faces before Jesus fell,
Then with ten thousand chaines of Adamant
He loaded them: and them of Room did scant,
Ty'ng them more strictly to their Centre, and
Enforcing them to yield to his Command.
He broke the Power Hell had over Man,
That by his might he might triumph ag'en.
His eyes tormented Hell; his very breath,
Assunder broke the cruel jawes of Death.
The damned yelled, and his sacred Sight
That cursed crew put int' an horrid fright.
Then he the Dev'ls restrain'd, so that they could
Not hurt those who this path trod if they would.
Then th'rough the Cherub's flaming Sword he went
Unhurt; to whom his Head the Angel bent
Down to his Feet: the flaming Fire no power
Had the least hair of his Head to devour.
Upon the Crosse, and into Death was sunk
Into these deeps he came, and that Way too,
By which from earth we hither came but now.
The common Road to Hell this is not, still
None this Way go, but against Sathan's will.
232
By Christ to those who his steps follow, given.
This is the Path, by his blest death made Good,
Gained with pain, purchas'd with so much blood.
This is the Path which Hell still strives to hide,
Least Mortals by 't to Paradise should slide.
This is the Path which shews Christ's Power: It is
The Path which leads from miseries, to Blisse.
A spacious Road leads unto Pluto's Court,
On the left hand; where Mortals much resort;
Paved with pleasures, and external Blisse,
With Riches, honours, and such baites it is.
This Road brings to a Gate of Æbony,
Whose lofty portals, mounted are on high,
Whose wide-leav'd Gates by Pluto's strict command
Both Night, and Day, for ever open stand.
So wide they are, a World at once may in
Get, but a mite cannot return ag'in.
Such is the Hospitality of Hell,
Gratis all Men may there, for ever dwell.
This is the Gehenna; this the Lions Den
From whence there can be no Redemption.
This Road Christ's sheep do shun, for that Way is
The way to Torment, not the Path to Blisse.
'Till Christ this Way made, there no other was;
Therefore when first he came into this place,
Hell was amaz'd; and its foundation shook
Its mighty Pillars all assunder broke.
Great LUCIFER fell from his Æbon Seat,
And 's neck subjected unto Jesu's feet.
The trembling Devils roar'd, and with a Yell
Upon their faces before Jesus fell,
Then with ten thousand chaines of Adamant
He loaded them: and them of Room did scant,
Ty'ng them more strictly to their Centre, and
Enforcing them to yield to his Command.
He broke the Power Hell had over Man,
That by his might he might triumph ag'en.
His eyes tormented Hell; his very breath,
Assunder broke the cruel jawes of Death.
233
That cursed crew put int' an horrid fright.
Then he the Dev'ls restrain'd, so that they could
Not hurt those who this path trod if they would.
Then th'rough the Cherub's flaming Sword he went
Unhurt; to whom his Head the Angel bent
Down to his Feet: the flaming Fire no power
Had the least hair of his Head to devour.
Scarce was there any thing that Jesus did
For Man's Salvation but 'twas typifi'd
Long e'r he came in flesh; and all before
Of Note; some shadow of this Substance bore:
And it was fit that Heav'n's high Majesty,
Should into Earth by Prodrums usher'd be.
How did the Priestly Ceremonies too,
His Office, and his Acts exactly shew.
How did the Prophets prophesie of Him:
How was his acts præacted e'r he came,
But all in shadows; He the Substance was,
And they all vanish'd, when he came in place,
So did the brazen Serpent, shew that he
For Soul, and Body should Physitian be.
So did the scape-Goat to the Jews declare,
That he theirs, and the whole Worlds Sins should bear.
So Joshua, who to Canaan led the Jews,
That Christ his lead shall to his Kingdom shews.
So David, who Saul's fury did remove,
Shews that Christ should Wrath overcome by Love.
So Isaac offered did typifie
That offer'd Jesus for the World should dye.
So Jonas buried in the Whale did tell
The World, that Christ descend should into Hell,
And that he should arise again. And so
Were Shadrach, Mesheck, and Abednego.
When in the seaven-times heated Furnace they
W'thout hurt or singing of their hair did stay,
A Type of Jesu's walking th'rough this flame
Of Wrath; th'rough which help'd by his Pow'r we came
So Sampson's strength did Jesu's typifie;
Who at his feet bow'd Hel's great Majesty:
And when on his broad shoulders he did lay
Strong Gaza's Gates, and bear them quite away,
Of Christ's great power, and mighty strength He was
A Type, who bore away these Gates of Brasse,
VVhen Hell thought to imprison him: Alone
He by his strength pul'd this Brass Fortress down.
For when that he came near, he put his Hand,
Unto this Wall which as a Bar did stand.
Between the World, and Paradise: straight shook
Its strong Foundations when his hold he took
On it; strait trembled every part, and down
To Jesu's feet fell his high-crested Crown.
Then was this breach made which you see, and then
A way was made to Paradise ag'en,
VVhich had so long denyed been, to all
The progeny of Adam, since his fall.
For Man's Salvation but 'twas typifi'd
Long e'r he came in flesh; and all before
Of Note; some shadow of this Substance bore:
And it was fit that Heav'n's high Majesty,
Should into Earth by Prodrums usher'd be.
How did the Priestly Ceremonies too,
His Office, and his Acts exactly shew.
How did the Prophets prophesie of Him:
How was his acts præacted e'r he came,
But all in shadows; He the Substance was,
And they all vanish'd, when he came in place,
So did the brazen Serpent, shew that he
For Soul, and Body should Physitian be.
So did the scape-Goat to the Jews declare,
That he theirs, and the whole Worlds Sins should bear.
So Joshua, who to Canaan led the Jews,
That Christ his lead shall to his Kingdom shews.
So David, who Saul's fury did remove,
Shews that Christ should Wrath overcome by Love.
So Isaac offered did typifie
That offer'd Jesus for the World should dye.
So Jonas buried in the Whale did tell
The World, that Christ descend should into Hell,
And that he should arise again. And so
Were Shadrach, Mesheck, and Abednego.
When in the seaven-times heated Furnace they
W'thout hurt or singing of their hair did stay,
A Type of Jesu's walking th'rough this flame
Of Wrath; th'rough which help'd by his Pow'r we came
So Sampson's strength did Jesu's typifie;
Who at his feet bow'd Hel's great Majesty:
234
Strong Gaza's Gates, and bear them quite away,
Of Christ's great power, and mighty strength He was
A Type, who bore away these Gates of Brasse,
VVhen Hell thought to imprison him: Alone
He by his strength pul'd this Brass Fortress down.
For when that he came near, he put his Hand,
Unto this Wall which as a Bar did stand.
Between the World, and Paradise: straight shook
Its strong Foundations when his hold he took
On it; strait trembled every part, and down
To Jesu's feet fell his high-crested Crown.
Then was this breach made which you see, and then
A way was made to Paradise ag'en,
VVhich had so long denyed been, to all
The progeny of Adam, since his fall.
O glorious! yea thrice glorious happy Breach!
By which fall'n Man again to Heav'n may reach!
O Noble Work! O mighty strength of the
Blest Son of God's glorious Humanity!
'Twas his Humanity this work did do,
Or else no passage here had been for you,
Nor for an' humane Soul. O David's Stemm!
O Jesus who dy'd at Jerusalem!
Can any Man speak such fell Blasphemy
To say that all that's sav'd, not 's sav'd by thee?
Dear Pilgrim 'twas none but that Christ alone,
That for Man hath wrought this Salvation:
But 'count it not a vain Tautologie
If I once more relate it unto thee:
Thus in a word it was. The blessed Love,
Upon the Wrath its gentle self did move:
Both Principles were reconcil'd: In one
VVere joyned, in an happy union
The first and second Principles; arise
Immediatly from them did Paradise.
Thus Wrath, and Love by Christ we reconcil'd.
VVho brought forth Paradise, an happy child,
Unto which place thou now shalt go; and th'rough
This happy breach, which Christ has made for you.
By which fall'n Man again to Heav'n may reach!
O Noble Work! O mighty strength of the
Blest Son of God's glorious Humanity!
'Twas his Humanity this work did do,
Or else no passage here had been for you,
Nor for an' humane Soul. O David's Stemm!
O Jesus who dy'd at Jerusalem!
Can any Man speak such fell Blasphemy
To say that all that's sav'd, not 's sav'd by thee?
Dear Pilgrim 'twas none but that Christ alone,
That for Man hath wrought this Salvation:
But 'count it not a vain Tautologie
If I once more relate it unto thee:
Thus in a word it was. The blessed Love,
Upon the Wrath its gentle self did move:
Both Principles were reconcil'd: In one
VVere joyned, in an happy union
The first and second Principles; arise
Immediatly from them did Paradise.
Thus Wrath, and Love by Christ we reconcil'd.
VVho brought forth Paradise, an happy child,
Unto which place thou now shalt go; and th'rough
This happy breach, which Christ has made for you.
| Mundorum Explicatio | |