Man’s mortal crime, and just the unjust to save? Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear?”

He asked, but all the Heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in Heaven: on Man’s behalf Patron or intercessor none appeared⁠— Much less that durst upon his own head draw The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. And now without redemption all mankind Must have been lost, adjudged to Death and Hell By doom severe, had not the Son of God, In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, His dearest mediation thus renewed: