Season 4 Podcast 46 Milton’s Paradise Lost Bk XI, Pt XXXVIII, “Michael’s Visit, Pt III”

Season 4 Podcast 46 Milton’s Paradise Lost Bk XI, Pt XXXVIII, “Michael’s Visit, Pt III” In the prologue to Book XI, Milton writes.The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads but submits: the Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him a vision what shall happen till the Flood.Seeing Adam’s profound disappointment at being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Michael speaks softly and reminds Adam that God is creator of both heaven and earth. They all belong to God; therefore, the omnipresence of God fills land, sea, and air and every living thing. In other words, wherever he is on the earth, there is the presence of God. He reminds Adam of the words of God given to him in the Garden of Eden:GENESIS 1 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.Michael regards Adam with a benign countenance as he speaksAdam, thou know’st Heav’n his, and all the EarthNot this Rock only; his Omnipresence fillsLand, Sea, and Aire, and every kind that lives,Fomented by his virtual power and warmed:All th’ Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,Michael tells Adam that God is not confined to the narrow boundaries of Eden. No matter where he lives on earth, he can feel the presence of God.No despicable gift; surmise not thenHis presence to these narrow bounds confinedOf Paradise or Eden: this had beenPerhaps thy Capital Seat, from whence had spreadAll generations, and had hither comeFrom all the ends of th’ Earth, to celebrateAnd reverence thee their great Progenitor.Michael teaches Adam that God is everywhere, and everything denotes there is a God. He can feel his fatherly love and see his face in his creations.But this preeminence thou hast lost, brought downTo dwell on even ground now with thy Sons:Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in PlaineGod is as here, and will be found alikePresent, and of his presence many a signeStill following thee, still compassing thee roundWith goodness and paternal Love, his FaceExpress, and of his steps the track Divine.Michael tells Adam that he was sent by God to reveal the future regarding his offspring, both good and bad. Even though evil will come, Adam can expect God’s grace to descend upon his children.Which that thou mayst believe, and be confirmed,Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sentTo shew thee what shall come in future daysTo thee and to thy Offspring; good with badExpect to hear, supernal Grace contendingWith sinfulness of Men; Experience of good and evil will teach true patience, will temper joy with fear. He will feel godly sorrow and will be able to bear both happiness and sadness. Success or failure. Regardless of how difficult life becomes, because of the grace of God he will be able to endure suffering. thereby to learnTrue patience, and to temper joy with fearAnd pious sorrow, equally enur’dBy moderation either state to bear,Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou leadSafest thy life, and best prepared endureThy mortal passage when it comes.