3. 17th century poetry

Mainly a bare-bones exposition of salvation through faith (Protestant doctrine) vs. through works (Catholic): with the role that (double) pre-destination and the bondage of the will plays in the distinction, and the spirals of inwardness that arise for the Protestant poets, in particular Donne and Herbert.  Excursus on Luther's reading of the Lord's hardening Pharaoh's heart in Exodus. Herbert's

REDEMPTION

HAVING been tenant long to a rich Lord, 

            Not thriving, I resolved to be bold, 

            And make a suit unto him, to afford 

A new small-rented lease, and cancell th’ old. 

In heaven at his manour I him sought : 

            They told me there, that he was lately gone 

            About some land, which he had dearly bought 

Long since on earth, to take possession. 

I straight return’d, and knowing his great birth, 

            Sought him accordingly in great resorts ; 

            In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts : 

At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth 

            Of theeves and murderers :  there I him espied, 

            Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died.

Excursus on the plurality of the heavenly powers, and the E and J writers of the first four books of Moses.