Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/176

170 To him, or possibly his love desert? Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here, Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend."
 * To whom the Angel:—"Son of Heaven and Earth,

Attend! 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 maymade [sic] 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 overruled 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 must By destiny, and can no other choose? Myself and all the 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.