Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/14

 REDEMPTION.

But wanders farther from the right; his fault, Not mine, who made him free, and strong to stand; And gave him helps, when fallen, to retrace His devious way, prophets and priests, altar And sacred rites, to guide his erring thoughts, And keep them fix'd firm to my just commands. Of old it was ordain'd, if one were found To stand man's stead, his sumless debt assume, He should, thus ransom'd, reconcilement find. Justice no longer waits inexpiate, Holocausts please no more, an infinite Offense, an equal sacrifice demands, Which paid, in justice I can justify The fallen race, and bid the sinner live."

To whom the Sou with mildness thus: "Father Beloved, thy will be done ; thy will is mine. Ere morning stars together sang, or erst The sons of God rejoiced, this thy decree Went forth that I should do thy will, O God. A body, so 'tis writ, thou 'It fit for me. But, all have gone astray; none doeth good: How shall the Godhead dwell with tainted flesh ? Infinite sanctity, how can commix, Or stain its purity with body' of sin? Sin it abhors, and ent'reth not th' unclean."

This, said he, knowing well the Father's mind. From all eternity co-equal, he, And co-existent with the Father, stood; The Son all-knowing, as th' omniscient Sire. He ask'd not for himself, but those elect, Myriads of spirits bless'd archangels, Dominions, seraphs, potentates and powers,

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