If by the Body! how can Wit and Will, Join with the body, only in this act? Since when they do their other works fulfil, They from the Body, do themselves abstract! Again, if Souls, of Souls begotten were, Into each other they should change and move; And Change and Motion still corruption bear; How shall we then, the Soul immortal prove? If, lastly, Souls did generation use, Then should they spread incorruptible seed: What then becomes of that which they to lose, When the acts of generation do not speed? And though the Soul _could_ cast spiritual seed, Yet _would_ She not, because She never dies; For mortal things desire, their like to breed; That so they may their kind immortalise. Therefore the angels, Sons of God are named, And marry not, nor are in marriage given; Their spirits and ours are of one Substance framed, And have one Father, even the Lord of heaven: Who would at first, that in each other thing, The earth and water, living souls should breed; But that Man's Soul (whom He would make their king) Should from Himself immediately proceed. And when He took the woman from man's side, Doubtless Himself inspired her soul alone; For 'tis not said, he did, Man's _soul_ divide, But took _flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone_. Lastly, GOD, being made Man, for man's own sake, And being like man in all, except in sin: His Body, from the Virgin's womb did take; But all agree, _GOD formed His soul within_. Then is the Soul from God? So Pagans say, Which saw by Nature's light, her heavenly kind, Naming her "Kin to God!" and "GOD's bright ray," "A citizen of heaven, to earth confined!" But now I feel they pluck me by the ear, (Whom my young Muse so boldly termed blind) And crave more heavenly light; that cloud to clear, Which makes them think GOD doth not make the Mind! [Sidenote: Reasons drawn from divinity.] GOD doubtless makes her! and doth make her good! And grafts her in a Body, there to spring; Which though it be corrupted, flesh and blood, Can no way to the Soul, corruption bring. And yet this Soul (made good by GOD at first, And not corrupted by the Body's ill) Even in the womb, is sinful and accurst, Ere she can judge by Wit, or choose by Will. Yet is not GOD, the author of her Sin; Though author of her Being, and being there; And if we dare to judge our Judge therein; He can condemn us, and Himself can clear. First, GOD, from infinite eternity Decreed what hath been, is, or shall be done; And was resolved that every man should Be And, in his turn, his race of life should run.