Milton - PR3550 D77 1777 M2

346 PARADISE LOST. BooKXII. With inward confolations recompens'd ; 495 And oft fupported fo as than amaze Their proudeft Perfecutors : for the Spirit (Pour'd firft on His Apoffles, whom He fends T' Evangelize the Nations ; then, on all Baptiz'd,) fhall them with wond'rous gifts indue, 500 To fpeak all tongues, and do all miracles, As did their Lord before them. Thus they win Great numbers of each nation, to receive With joy the tidings brought from heav'n : at length Their Miniftry perform'd, and race well run, sos Their dothine, and their Flory written left, They die. But in their roan), as they forewarn, Wolves fhall fucceed for Teachers, grievous wolves ! Who all the facred mytieries of heav'n, To their own vile advantages (hall turn, ste Of lucre, and ambition ; and the truth With fuperftitions, and traditions taint, Left only in thole written records pure ; Though not but by the Spirit underflood. Then (hall they feck t' avail themfelves of names, $I Places, and titles ; and with thee to join Secular pow'r, though feigning flill to ad By fpiritual : to themfelves appropriating The Spirit of God, promis'd alike and giv'n To all Believers : and from that pretenfe 520 Spiritual laws by carnal pow'r (hail force On every confcience ; laws which none (hall find Left them inroli'd ; or what the Spirit within Shall on the heart ingrave. What will they then But force the Spirit of Grace it felf, and bind 525 His confort liberty ? what, but unbuild His living temples, built by faith to ttand, Their own faith, not another's ? (for on earth, Who againft faith, and confclence, can he heard Infallible ?

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