BOOK IL

The consultation begun , Satan debates whether another battle be to be bazaideii for the rrcovery of Heaven : some advise it , others dissuade : a third proposal is preferred , mentioned before by Satan , to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven , concerning another world , and another kind of creature equal , or not much inferior to themselves , about this time to be created : their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search ; Satan , their chief, undertakei alone the voyage, is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended , the rest bet.ike them several ways, and to several employments, as their inclinations lead them , to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell-gates; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them; by whom at length they arc opened, and dis cover to him the great gulf betweea Hell and Heaven ; with what dif. firulty be passes through , directed by Chaos , the power of tb.it place, to the sight of this new world which be sought.