The First Promise of God

Verse 1

When, by the tempter's wiles betray'd, Adam our head and parent fell; Unknown before, a pleasure spread Thro' all the mazy deeps of hell.

Verse 2

Infernal powers rejoic'd to see The new-made world destroy'd, undone; But God proclaims his great decree, Pardon and mercy thro' his Son.

Verse 3

Serpent, accurs'd, thy sentence read, Almighty vengeance thou shalt feel; The woman's seed shall crush thy head, Thy malice faintly bruise his heel.

Verse 4

Thus God declares, and Christ descends, Assumes a mortal form, and dies; Whilst in his death, death's empire ends, And the proud conqueror conquer'd lies.

Verse 5

Dying, the King of glory deals Ruin to all his numerous foes: His power the daring tempter feels, And sinks oppress'd beneath his woes.