REDEMPTION. 67
Thou hast permitted me to make, to veil My deity, the Godhead to incarn, Should prove her worthiness to be Mother Of God ; since Mother, such degree implies, Such excellence divine, superior state, And nearness to thy heav'nly throne, as needs Must raise who bears so great renown, To close relationship with Thee supreme Daughter of God the Father, Mother of God The Son, and Spouse of God the Holy Ghost ; Crown of the human race, and Queen exalt O'er archangelic and seraphic thrones. Gladly do I thy high behest obey, With joy to prove this crowning work is good, Is very good, and faithful will withstand Th' assaults of dev'lish foes. Her have I made Immaculate, furnish' d with every grace, Inflamed with love divine; sufficient, firm T abide; and free, to prove that her abiding Is from choice, not from restraint imposed By an inexorable, stern decree. As were the heav'ns made pure, thee to contain, So made I her replete t' embody me; And as no more th' ethereal pow'rs can fail In fealty to thee, so will th' event Still prove, my earthly tabernacle true To me, exempt from every stain, of thought, Of body, soul, and will; to me, on whom Redemption, first, chief, last, and sole depends/' So spake the Son of God, and instant call'd Th' angelic guardians of his sacred shrine, Back to the temple of the upper sky.
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