18

O argument blasphemous, false and proud!

Words which no eare ever to hear in Heavn [ 810 ]

Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate

In place thy self so high above thy Peeres.

Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne

The just Decree of God, pronounct and sworn,

That to his only Son by right endud [ 815 ]

With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heavn

Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due

Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist

Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free,

And equal over equals to let Reigne, [ 820 ]

One over all with unsucceeded power.

Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute

With him the points of libertie, who made

Thee what thou art, and formd the Powrs of Heavn

Such as he pleasd, and circumscribd thir being? [ 825 ]

Yet by experience taught we know how good,

And of our good, and of our dignitie

How provident he is, how farr from thought

To make us less, bent rather to exalt

Our happie state under one Head more neer [ 830 ]

United. But to grant it thee unjust,

That equal over equals Monarch Reigne:

Thy self though great and glorious dost thou count,

Or all Angelic Nature joind in one,

Equal to him begotten Son, by whom [ 835 ]

As by his Word the mighty Father made

All things, evn thee, and all the Spirits of Heavn

By him created in thir bright degrees,

Crownd them with Glory, and to thir Glory namd

Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers, [ 840 ]

Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscurd,

But more illustrious made, since he the Head

One of our number thus reduct becomes,

His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done

Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, [ 845 ]

And tempt not these; but hastn to appease

Th incensed Father, and th incensed Son,

While Pardon may be found in time besought.