...followers, he commissioned them: ... If then his Providence Out of evil seek to bring forth good, Our labor must be to pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil. (Complete Poems and Major Prose, 215) Milton's words succinctly express the essence of the spiritual...

...will be our task, But ever to do ill our sole delight, As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist. If then his Providence Out of our evil...end, And out of good still to find means of evil. 5 I have often wondered what could possibly keep Satan motivated in light of his obvious inability...

...never will be our task, But ever to do ill our sole delight, As being contrary to his high will Whom we resist. If then his providence Out of our evil...evil; Which oft-times may succeed, so as perhaps Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. (PL 1.157 -68)...

...about the sources of our happiness.8 The role of enlightened reason is frequently to help us over3 "If then his providence/ Out of our evil seek to bring forth good/Our labour must be to pervert that end, /And out of good still to find means of evil, /Which oftimes...

...destruction. The text contrasts a process of turning evil to good with one of turning good to evil: If then his providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labor must be to pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil; Which oft-times may...