No More Learning

--Of Satan Warring, and the Council of the Sanhedrim_

The morn descends over the forest of waving cedars, and Jesus
awakes. The spirits of the patriarchs see Him with joy from their
solar mansion. Raphael, John's guardian angel, tells Jesus that this
disciple is viewing a demoniac among the sepulchres on the Mount of
Olives. He goes thither, and puts Satan to flight, who, returning to
hell, gives an account of what he knows of Jesus, and determines that
He shall be put to death. Satan is opposed by Abaddon. Another grim
fiend speaks.

Then Moloch fierce approached, a martial spirit.
From mountains and entrenchments huge he came,
Which still he forms, thus the domains of hell
To fence, in case the Thundering Warrior e'er
(He thus the dread Eternal nominates)
From heaven descending, should th' abyss molest.
All before Moloch with respect retired.
In sable armour clad, which to his pace
Resounded, he advanced as does a storm
Amid dark lowering clouds. The mountains shook
Before him, and behind, a trembling rock
In shattered fragments sunk. Thus he advanced
And soon attained the first revolter's throne.

After the council of fiends, all hell approves Satan's determination.
Satan and Adramelech return to earth to execute their design. Abaddon,
following them at a distance, sees at the gate of hell Abdiel, the
seraph who was once his friend, whom he addresses.
But Abdiel ignoring
him, he presses forward, bewails the loss of his glory, despairs of
finding grace, and after vainly endeavouring to destroy himself,
descends to earth. Satan and Adramelech also advance to earth and
alight on Mount Olivet.

They both advanced and stormed against the Mount
Of Olives, the Redeemer there to find
Assembled with His confidential friends.
Thus down into the vale destructive cars
Of battle roll, against th' intrepid chief
Of the advancing and undaunted host.
Now brazen warriors throng from every point.
The thundering crash of the encounter, clash
Of sword and shield, a sullen iron din
O'er distant rocks resounds tow'rd heaven aloft,
And in the valley scatters death around.

Caiaphas assembles the Sanhedrim, and relates a vision which has
terrified him. He declares that Jesus must die, but counsels caution
as to the manner of the execution. Philo, a dreaded priest and
Pharisee, steps forward, and with great vehemence pronounces the dream
of Caiaphas a mere empty fiction, yet joins in counselling the death
of Jesus. He declares Caiaphas a disgrace to the priesthood of God,
but that Jesus would abolish the priesthood altogether.

So saying, Philo, with uplifted arms,
Advanced in the assembly and exclaimed:
"Spirit of Moses, reigning now in bliss,
Whether in thy celestial robes thou art,
Or whether thy yet mortal children now
In council met beneath a humble roof,
Thou deign'st to visit. Solemnly
I swear to thee, by yon dread covenant,
Which thou to us hast brought out of the storm
From God, to thee on Sinai revealed:
I will not rest till this thine adversary,
Who hates thy laws and thee, be from this earth
Exterminated. "

The evil counsel is warmly opposed by Gamaliel and Nicodemus. Judas
has a private conference with Caiaphas. The Messiah sends Peter
and John into Jerusalem to prepare the Passover. Jesus, going to
Jerusalem, is met by Judas.