Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/415

Rh Favor unmerited by me, who sought Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. This yet I apprehend not, why to those Among whom God will deign to dwell on Earth So many and so various laws are given; So many laws argue so many sins Among them; how can God with such reside?"
 * To whom thus Michael:—"Doubt not but that sin

Will reign among them, as thee begot; And therefore was law given them, to evince Their natural pravity, by stirring up Sin against law to fight; that, when they see Law can discover sin, but not remove, Save by those shadowy expiations weak The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude Some blood more precious must be paid for Man, Just for unjust, that in such righteousness, To them by faith imputed, they may find Justification toward God, and peace Of conscience, which the law by ceremonies Cannot appease, nor man the moral part Perform, and not performing cannot live. So law appears imperfect, and but given With purpose to resign them in full time Up to a better covenant, disciplined From shadowy types to truth, from flesh to spirit, From imposition of strict laws to free