retary. Admitting this supposition to be right, then the work was recommenced at the third chapter, after his being delivered from his state of "obscure sojourn," and with a reference to that awful obscurity into which he was plunged, as into the "Stygian pool." It was published in ten books; but it was afterwards, under his direction, arranged into twelve books. I shall not attempt any description of its unrivalled excellencies; this has repeatedly been done by writers who were more equal to such criticisms than to which I can have any pretensions. As to the correctness of its theological sentiments, I speak without any hesitation; and as to the sublimity of the sentiments, I profess myself to be lost in wonder and admiration! The first paragraph explains fully the cause which enabled him to produce this almost super-human poem: "The meek will HE guide in judgment; the meek will HE teach his way!" "Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit Sing heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook, that flow'd And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer, 20* Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, And justify the ways of God to men." Book i. 1-25. The few other extracts which I make from this most extraordinary poem, will be for eliciting his religious sentiments on some important points of theology.* "Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heav'n first born! Or of th' Eternal coeternal beam, May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light, Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing, Escaped the Stygian pool, though long detain'd * Toland says, p. 129, "I must not forget that we had like to be eternally deprived of this treasure, by the ignorance or malice of the licenser; who among other frivolous exceptions, would needs suppress the whole poem for imaginary treason in the following lines: -: "As when the sun new risen, Looks thro' the horizontal misty air, On half the nations and with fear of change, The licenser was the Rev. Thomas Tomkyns, one of the chaplains of Archbishop Sheldon. This office, I find, had been abolished during the Protectorate, but was restored, with other corruptions, at the Restoration. In that obscure sojourn,* while in my flight Taught by th' Heav'nly Muse to venture down * Richardson, in his note on the line, "In darkness and with dangers compass'd round," says: "This is explained by a piece of secret history, for which we have good authority. Paradise Lost was written after the Restoration, when MILTON apprehended himself to be in danger of his life, first from royal vengeance, (having been very deeply engaged against the royal party,) and when safe by pardon, from private malice and resentment. He was always in fear, much alone, and slept ill. When restless, he would ring for the person who wrote for him, (which was his daughter commonly,) to write what he composed, which would sometimes flow with great ease." Of nature's works, to me expung'd and ras'd, Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers Of things invisible to mortal sight." Book iii. 1-55 ON PROVIDENCE. "The world was all before them, where to choose Book xii. 646-649. ON THE NECESSITY OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Speaking of his blindness, he says, "And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight." Book iii. lines 50-55. ON THE ORIGIN OF EVIL. And now, Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way, Not far off Heav'n, in the precincts of light, Directly tow'rds the new created world, Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall." "They therefore as to right belong'd, So were created, nor can justly accuse Their will, dispos'd by absolute decree Of high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed They trespass, authors to themselves in all Both what they judge and what they choose; for so Their freedom: they themselves ordain'd their fall. Book iii. lines 85-100; 110-134. ON THE PROPER DIVINITY OF THE SON OF GOD. "Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Most glorious; in him all his Father shone Substantially express'd; and in his face Divine compassion visibly appear'd, Love without end, and without measure grace." Book iii. lines 138-142. ON PERSONAL ELECTION. "As my eternal purpose hath decreed : Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, Freely vouchsafed. Some have I chosen of peculiar grace |