'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 15

As we consider man in the state of innocence, we can lament the greatness of Adam's fall. Here is a stately building lying in ashes. Could we avoid weeping if we saw our house on fire and our property perishing in flames? But this falls far short of the dismal sight—man has fallen as a star from heaven. O that we could go back when there was no stain in our nature or pollution in our hearts! They who were brought up in scarlet do now embrace dunghills. Where is our primitive glory? There was once no darkness in the mind, no rebellion in the will, and no disorder in the affections. But ah! How the faithful city has become a harlot!—Righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers. Our silver has become dross. The heart that was the temple of God is now turned into a den of thieves. Let our name be Ichabod, for the glory is departed. Happy were you, O man! No pain, sickness, or death could approach you, until these bitter fruits were plucked from the forbidden tree. Heaven shone upon you, the earth smiled, you were the companion of angels and the envy of devils. But the crown has fallen from our head, and woe to us for our sin! Waters overflowed the world; fire consumed Sodom; frogs became executioners to Pharaoh; and worms ate up Herod. Alas how are we fallen! How we have plunged into a gulf of misery! The sun has gone down on us, and death has flown into our windows. Let us lie down in the dust, and let shame and confusion cover us. Nevertheless, there is hope concerning this thing. O sinner, look to Jesus Christ, the second Adam. Quit the first Adam, and come over to the Mediator and Surety of a new and better covenant. Let your heart say to Christ: 'Be our Ruler, and let this breach be under your hand.'

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Boston, Human Nature in its Fourfold State, pp. 55-56
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