Clxxii. [142]

“He was design’d of all Mankind   to be a public Head; A common Root, whence all should shoot,   and stood in all their stead. He stood and fell, did ill or well,   not for himself alone. But for you all, who now his Fall   and trespass would disown.

CLXXIII.

“If he had stood, then all his brood   had been established In God’s true love never to move,   nor once awry to tread; Then all his Eace my Father’s Grace   should have enjoy’d for ever. And wicked Sprites by subtile sleights   could them have harmed never.

CLXXIV.

Would you have griev’d to have receiv’d   through Adam so much good, As had been your for evermore,   if he at first had stood? Would you have said, ’We ne’er obey’d   nor did thy laws regard; It ill befits with benefits,   us, Lord, to so reward?’