Editing Paradise Lost (section)

===The Son of God===
[[File:ParadiseLButts10.jpg|thumb|''The Judgment of Adam and Eve: "So Judged He Man"'', [[William Blake]] (1808)]]
The [[Son of God]] is the spirit who will become incarnate as [[Jesus Christ]], though he is never named explicitly because he has not yet entered human form. Milton believed in a [[Subordinationism|subordinationist]] doctrine of [[Christology]] that regarded the Son as secondary to the Father and as God's "great Vice-regent" (5.609).

Milton's God in ''Paradise Lost'' refers to the Son as "My word, my wisdom, and effectual might" (3.170). The poem is not explicitly [[anti-trinitarian]], but it is consistent with Milton's convictions. The Son is the ultimate hero of the epic and is infinitely powerful—he single-handedly defeats Satan and his followers and drives them into Hell. After their fall, the Son of God tells Adam and Eve about God's judgment. Before their fall the Father foretells their "Treason" (3.207) and that Man
{{blockquote|<poem>
with his whole posteritie must dye,
Dye hee or Justice must; unless for him
Som other able, and as willing, pay
The rigid satisfaction, death for death. (3.210–212)
</poem>}}
The Father then asks whether there "Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare?" (3.216) and the Son volunteers himself.

In the final book a vision of Salvation through the Son is revealed to Adam by Michael. The name Jesus of Nazareth, and the details of Jesus' story are not depicted in the poem,<ref>{{Harvnb|Marshall|1961|p=17}}.</ref> though they are alluded to. Michael explains that "Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call", prefigures the Son of God, "his name and office bearing" to "quell / The adversarie Serpent, and bring back [...] long wander[e]d man / Safe to eternal Paradise of rest".<ref>{{Harvnb|Milton|1674}}, [[s:Paradise Lost/Book XII#40|12.310–314]].</ref>