Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,

Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems, His death for man, as many as offer'd life

Neglect not, and the benefit embrace

By faith not void of works: this God-like act
Annuls thý doom, the death thou should'st have
In sin for ever lost from life; this act [died,
Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength,
Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms;
And fix far deeper in his head their stings
Than temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel,
Or theirs whom he redeems; a death, like sleep,
A gentle wafting to immortal life.

Nor after resurrection shall he stay
Longer on earth, than certain times to appear
To his disciples, men who in his life

Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge
To teach all nations what of him they learn'd
And his salvation: them who shall believe
Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign
Of washing them from guilt of sin to life
Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befall,
For death, like that which the Redeemer died.
All nations they shall teach; for, from that day,
Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins
Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons
Of Abraham's faith wherever through the world;
So in his seed all nations shall be bless'd.
Then to the heaven of heavens he shall ascend
With victory, triumphing through the air
Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise

The serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains Through all his realm, and there confounded leave: Then enter into glory, and resume

His seat at God's right hand, exalted high

Above all names in heaven; and thence shall come,
When this world's dissolution shall be ripe, [dead;
With glory and power to judge both quick and
To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward
His faithful, and receive them into bliss,
Whether in heaven or earth; for then the earth
Shall all be Paradise, far happier place
Than this of Eden, and far happier days."

So spake the archangel Michael; then paused, As at the world's great period; and our sire, Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied:

"O goodness infinite, goodness immense! That all this good of evil shall produce, And evil turn to good; more wonderful Than that, which by creation first brought forth Light out of darkness! Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin,

By me done and occasion'd, or rejoice

[spring,

Much more, that much more good thereof shall

To God more glory, more good-will to men
From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.
But say, if our Deliverer up to heaven
Must reascend, what will betide the few,
His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd,
The enemies of truth? Who then shall guide
His people, who defend? Will they not deal
Worse with his followers than with him they dealt?"