For the Subject I dare stand by it, that ’tis fit for a better Heroic Poem than any ever was, or will be made; and that if a good Poem cou’d not be made on’t, it must be either from the weakness of the Art itself, or for want of a good Artist.  I don’t say the Subject with all its Circumstances is the best for Epic, but considered in it self, or with a prudent choice out of the vast Field of Matter which it affords.

The Action is Important, if ever any was, being no less than the Redemption of the World, which was not accomplish’d till after our Saviours Death and Resurrection.  The Ascension I confess should be left out, according to the common Rules of Heroick Poetry, but I had not the same reason of omitting it, as others have for not coming to the End of their History, a little short of which they generally stop, because after the main Business is over, nothing great remains, or however not greater than has already past.  And if any thing mean followed, the Reader wou’d leave off dissatisfied.  But I’ve as great and remarkable an Action, as any in the whole story, yet upon my Hands, and which if I had omitted, I had lost many very moving Incidents that follow’d the Resurrection; and besides, Vida before me, has carry’d it yet further, to the actual Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Disciples, and the spreading the Christian Name all the World over; which I have done only in Prophecy.

The Action is I think uniform, because all the Episodes are part of the main Action, the Redemption of the World; to which his Incarnation, and Divine Conception were absolutely necessary, and so were his Holy Life, Doctrine, Miracles, and especially his Sufferings and Agonies.  My principal Hero was perfect, yet imitable, and that both in active and contemplative Life.  He leaves his own Kingdom to save and conquer another, endures the greatest hardships, is reduc’d to the lowest ebb, nay is at last forc’d to suffer Death it self.  Yet after all, he emerges from his Misfortunes, conquers all his Enemies, fixes Laws, establishes Religion, Peace, and his own Empire, and is advanced higher than any Conquerer ever was before him.

The other Persons are Heroical enough, Angels, Kings, High Priests, Governours, Councellors, nay even the Apostles themselves were more than Kings, for they were thought and call’d Gods by the People.  The Moral I find not make it, in a true Example, which others are forced to Form in Fable; “That we ought to do Good, to suffer evil, submit to the Divine Will; to venture or lose a Life for a Friend; to forgive our Enemies.”

Yet further I desire to recommend the whole of the Christian Religion; all the Articles of Faith; all that System of Divinity and Morality contain’d in the Gospel of the Blessed Jesus, to the Study and Practice of Persons of Ingenuity and Reason; to make his Divine Person, which is already infinitely Amiable, if possible, actually more Ador’d and Lov’d; and to Vindicate his Mission, his Satisfaction, and his Divinity, against all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics; which sure are the most proper Ends that can be propos’d in a Work of this Nature:  Which may be agreeably and admirably done, if ’tis not the Poets fault; for here’s all the marvellous that cou’d be wished for, already done to my Hand, and all sacredly True, Angels and Demons, and Miracles, with Voices from Heaven.