The promise of Divine aid is made in mockery.


"To whom thus Jesus: 'Also it is written,
Tempt not the Lord thy God.' He said, and stood:
But Satan, smitten with amazement, fell."
(P. R. iv. 560-2.)


It is not meant, "thou shalt not tempt ME," but rather, "it is not
permitted me to tempt God." In this extreme case Jesus depends on God's
protection. This is the devil's final defeat and the seraphic company
for which our great Example had refused to ask instantly surrounds and
receives him. Angelic quires


"the Son of God, our Saviour meek,
Sung victor, and from heavenly feast refresh't,
Brought on His way with joy; He unobserv'd,
Home to His mother's house private return'd."
(P. R. iv. 636-9.)


Warton wished to expunge this passage, considering it an unworthy
conclusion. It is to be hoped that there are many readers of Milton who
are able to see what is the value of these four lines, particularly of
the last.

It is hardly necessary to say more in order to show how peculiarly