moment of impulse His free will, to her own inclining left In even scale. But fallen he is; and now What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass On his transgression, death denounced that day? Which he presumes already vain and void, Because not yet inflicted, as he feared, By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find Forbearance no acquittance ere day end: Justice shall not return, as bounty, scorned. But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, Vicegerent Son? to thee I have transferred All judgment, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. Easy it may be seen that I intend Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee, Man’s friend, his Mediator, his designed Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary, And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen.”
So spake the Father; and, unfolding bright Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son Blazed forth unclouded deity; he full Resplendent all his Father manifest Expressed, and thus divinely answered mild:
“Father Eternal, thine is to decree, Mine both in Heaven and Earth to do thy will Supreme, that thou in me, thy Son beloved, May’st ever rest well pleased. I go to judge On Earth these thy transgressors; but thou know’st, Whoever judged, the worst on me must light, When time shall be; for so I undertook Before thee, and, not repenting, this obtain Of right, that I may mitigate their doom On me derived; yet I shall temper so Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none Are to behold the judgment but the judged, Those two; the third best absent is condemned, Convict by flight, and rebel to all law: Conviction to the Serpent none belongs.”
Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory; Him Thrones and Powers, Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant Accompanied to Heaven-gate, from whence Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. Down he descended straight; the speed of Gods Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes winged.