But zeal and duty, the endeavour to hurry that which cannot and must not
be hurried may be a suggestion from hell.


"If of my reign prophetic writ hath told
That it shall never end, so when begin
The Father in His purpose hath decreed."
(P. R. iii. 184-6.)


Acquiescence, a conviction of the uselessness of individual or organised
effort to anticipate what only slow evolution can bring, is
characteristic of increasing years, and was likely enough to be the
temper of Milton when he had seen the failure of the effort to make
actual on earth the kingdom of Heaven. The temptation is developed in
such a way that every point supposed to be weak is attacked. "You may
be what you claim to be," insinuates the devil, "but are rustic."


"Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent
At home, scarce view'd the Galilean towns,
And once a year Jerusalem."
(P. R. iii. 232-4.)


Experience and alliances are plausibly urged as indispensable for
success. But Jesus knew that the sum total of a man's power for good is
precisely what of good there is in him and that if it be expressed even
in the simplest form, all its strength is put forth and its office is
fulfilled. To suppose that it can be augmented by machinery is a