1. Know this, that every soul is free To choose his life and what he’ll be; For this eternal truth is given That God will force no man to heav’n.
2. He’ll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind.
3. Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well The beasts may think of heav’n or hell.
4. May we no more our powers abuse, But ways of truth and goodness choose; Our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek his perfect love.
5. It is my free will to believe; ’Tis God’s free will me to receive; To stubborn willers this I’ll tell, ’Tis all free grace and all free will.
6. Those who despise grow harder still: If they adhere, he turns their will; And thus despisers sink to hell, While those who heed in glory dwell.
7. But if we take the downward road, And make in hell our last abode, Our God is clear; and we shall know We plunged ourselves in endless woe.