Season 4 Podcast 21 Milton’s Paradise Lost Bk X, Pt XXXIII, “The Fall Pt V”

Season 4 Podcast 21 Milton’s Paradise Lost Bk X, Pt XXXIII, “The Fall Pt V”  In the prologue to Book X, Milton writes.[Eve] persists, and at length appeases him; then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent; and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. Emphasizing God’s omniscience, Milton has God looking down upon Lucifer and his angels. God also tells his Son that it was the folly of man that caused their own fall, and the fault should not be imputed to God. See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advanceTo waste and havoc yonder world, which ISo fair and good created, and had stillKept in that state, had not the folly of ManLet in these wasteful Furies, who imputeFolly to mee, so doth the Prince of HellAnd his Adherents, that with so much easeI suffer them to enter and possessA place so heavenly, and conniving seemTo gratify my scornful Enemies,That laugh, as if transported with some fitOf Passion, I to them had quitted all,At random yielded up to their misrule;Milton also shows that Satan is self-deceived into thinking he has outwitted God. God shows that his wisdom is greater than Satan’s cunning. God allowed Satan, Sin, and Death to enter the world, but in the end the earth will be entirely cleansed from sin because of the sacrifice of his Son.And know not that I called and drew them thitherMy Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filthWhich man’s polluting Sin with taint hath shedOn what was pure, till crammed and gorged, nigh burstWith suckt and glutted offal, at one flingOf thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son,Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave at lastThrough Chaos hurled, obstruct the mouth of HellFor ever, and seal up his ravenous Jaws.Then Heav’n and Earth renewed shall be made pureTo sanctitie that shall receive no stain:Till then the Curse pronounc’t on both precedes.The earth will remain under a curse until it is renewed; however, because of the atonement of Christ, the earth will be renewed and the curse lifted. The angels of God shout for joy at the good news.He ended, and the heavenly Audience loudSung Halleluiah, as the sound of Seas,Through multitude that sung: Just are thy ways,Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works;Who can extenuate thee? Next, to the Son,Destined restorer of Mankind, by whomNew Heav’n and Earth shall to the Ages rise,Or down from Heav’n descend. Such was their song,While the Creator calling forth by nameHis mighty Angels gave them several charge,As sorted best with present things.Milton shows that God knew that the fall of man would occur; therefore, he established a plan wherein man could be saved. Speaking of  a new heaven and new earth. Milton is clearly referring to the Book of RevelationRevelation 211 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.