Of smallest magnitude close by the moon. this paffage, understanding that the Earth was meant, and yet arguing very juftiy that the Earth could not be meant: and Mr. Addifon has fallen into the like mistake, as appears from his words; "The "glimmering light which fhot in"to the Chaos from the utmoft "verge of the creation, with the "diftant discovery of the Earth that hung close by the moon, "are wonderfully beautiful and "poetical." But how much more wonderful is the imagination of fuch prodigious diftance, that after Satan had traveled on fo far, and 1955 comes within view of the whole world, it fhould ftill appear in comparison with the empyreal Heaven no bigger than the fmalleft ftar, and that ftar appearing yet fmaller by its proximity to the moon! and how much more beautiful and poetical is it to open the fcene thus by degrees! Satan at first descries the whole world at a diftance in book the fecond, and then in book the third he difcovers our planetary fyftem and the fun, and afterwards by the direction of Uriel the earth and neighbouring moon. God fitting on his throne fees Satan flying towards this world, then newly created; fhows him to the Son who fat at his right hand; foretels the fuccefs of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his own justice and wisdom from all imputation, having created Man free and able enough to have withstood his tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him feduc'd. The Son of God renders praifes to his Father for the manifeftation of his gracious purpose towards Man; but God again declares, that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the fatifaction of divine juftice; Man hath offended the majefty of God by afpiring to Godhead, and therefore with all his progeny devoted to death muft die, unless fome one can be found fufficient to answer for his offenfe, and undergo his punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a ransome for Man the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the Angels to adore him; they obey, and hymning to their harps in full quire, celebrate the Father and the Son. Mean while Satan alights upon the bare convex of this world's outermost orb; where wand'ring he first finds a place, fince call'd The Limbo of Vanity; what perfons and things fly up thither; thence comes to the gate of Heaven, defcrib'd afcending by stairs, and the waters above the firmament that flow about it: His paffage thence to the orb of the fun; he finds there Uriel the regent of that orb, but first changes himself into the fhape of a meaner Angel; and pretending a zealous defire to behold the new creation, and Man whom God had plac'd here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed; alights first on mount Niphates. |