Teaching Salvation from Paradise Lost.
If I were talking to someone and trying to lead him or her to Christ and they were familiar with Paradise Lost the job would be so much easier than those who have no knowledge of God. Using chapter 12 would be very simple for those people. I could start out and talk about how that man was perfect at first and then through sin there was a fall. I could go through and talk about the stories of Abraham and Moses following God in whatever He said and how He never leads man astray. I could talk about how God (in line 204) was there "To guide them in their journey." How the miracles of God were there to lead His children. I could show them how King David fell but was lifted back up and his son was blessed and allowed to build a Temple for God. I would go on and show how Jesus came "To a reproachable life and cursed death, Proclaiming life to all who shall believe"(lines 406-7). Also pointing out that Jesus "Defeating Sin and Death" (Line 431) was for our sake. This was accomplished by His death on the Cross by His own people "But to the Cross He nails thy enemies, the law that is against thee and the sins of all mankind, with Him there crucified" (lines 415-7). Christ died for all mankind not just "His" people. He loves all and came to set man free from sin just like He was free from death. He was "slain for bringing life" (line 414) something that most people would be happy to receive but others are determined to fight against.