1 Know then that ev'ry 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 heaven.
2 He'll call, persuade, direct him right
Bless him 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 beast may think of heaven or hell.
4 May we no more our pow'rs abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose;
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace, and seek his perfect love.
5 It's my free will for to believe:
'Tis God's free will me to receive:
To stubborn willers this I'll tell,
It's all free grace, and all free will.
6 Those that despise, grow harder still;
Those that adhere, he turns their will:
And thus despisers sink to hell,
While those that hear 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've plunged ourselves in endless wo.
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