… That thou art happy owe to God;

that thou continuest such, owe to thyself,

that is to thy obedience; Therein stand….

This was that caution given thee; be advised.

God made thee perfect, not immutable;

And good he made thee; but to persevere

He left it in thy power, ordained thy will

By nature free, not over-ruled by fate

Inextricable, or strict necessity.

Our voluntary service he requires,

Not our necessitated. Such with him

Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how

can hearts not free be tried whether they serve

Willing or no, who will but what they choose?

Myself , and all th’ Angelic host, that stand

In sight of God enthroned, our happy state

Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds.

On other surety none: freely we serve,

Because we freely love, as in our will

To love or not; in this we stand or fall….

 

John Milton (1608-74), Paradise Lost.