An Interesting Notion…

I found this today: some thoughts by Milton’s on free-will. From Paradise Lost, Book V, §519-543.

 To whom the Angel.  Son of Heav'n and Earth,
Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God; 
That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, 
That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. 
This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. 
God made thee perfet, not immutable; 
And good he made thee, but to persevere 
He left it in thy power, ordaind thy will 
By nature free, not over-rul'd by Fate 
Inextricable, or strict necessity; 
Our voluntarie service he requires, 
Not our necessitated, such with him 
Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for how 
Can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serve 
Willing or no, who will but what they must 
By Destinie, and can no other choose? 
My self and all th' Angelic Host that stand 
In sight of God enthron'd, our happie state 
Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; 
On other surety none; freely we serve. 
Because wee freely love, as in our will 
To love or not; in this we stand or fall: 
And som are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, 
And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall 
From what high state of bliss into what woe!