wwww,.....s.rempas BOOK III. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 523 As for thofe captive tribes, themfelves were they Who wrought their own captivity, fell off 415 From God to worfhip calves, the deities Of Egypt, Baal next and Afhtaroth, And all the idolatries of Heathen round, Betides their other worfe than heath'nifli crimes ; Nor in the land of their captivity 420 Humbled themfelves, or penitent befought The God of their forefathers ; but fo dy'd Impenitent, and left a race behind Like to themfelves, diftinguifhable fcarce From Gentiles, but by circumcifion vain, 425 And God with idols in their worfhip join'd. Should I of thefe the liberty regard, Who freed as to their ancient patrimony, Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreform'd, Headlong would follow' ; and to their Gods perhaps Of Bethel and of Dan ? no, let them ferve 431 Their enemies, who ferve idols with God. Yet he at length, time to himfelf beft known, Remembring Abraham, by fome wondrous call May bring them back repentant and fincere, 435 And at their paffing cleave th' Affyrian flood, While to their native land with joy they hafte, As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft, When to the promis'd land their fathers pafs'd ; To his due time and providence I leave them. 440 So fpake Ifrael's true king, and to the Fiend Made anfwer meet, that made void all his wiles. So fares it when with truth falihood contends. THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK. THE
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