Question

Which TWO lines from John Milton's Paradise Lost provide clues to his purpose in writing the epic poem? (Everything that has an asterisks before and at the end is a option)
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast Abyss
And mad'st it pregnant: *What in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support*;
That to the highth of this great Argument

*I may assert th' Eternal Providence,* 

*And justifie the wayes of God to men.*

*Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
Nor the deep Tract of Hell,*

*say first what cause
Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,*

Answer 1

(I may assert th' Eternal Providence,)

(And justifie the wayes of God to men.)

Answer 2

Answer:

"I may assert th'Eternal Providence,"

"And justify the ways of God to men"

Explanation:

"I may assert th'Eternal Providence,"

This line contains the subject "I", in poetry this is known as the "lyrical I" , that is the author as the protagonist of the poem. Having said that, it can be stated that Milton is the "I" of this extract so he is going to try to account for the actions of God in connection to the fall of humanity.

"And Justify the ways of God to men"

Milton was a very religious man and he wrote Paradise Lost with the intention of explaining why God punished Adam and Eve (and why all humanity was punished through them). As a result, it an be said that  Paradise lost is an attempt to justify God's actions. This can be clearly seen in the quote "and justify the ways of God to men"