'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 14

O how unreasonable is the sin of unbelief, by which the sinner rejects Christ, and all of his mercies and benefits that alone can cure his misery. He refuses Christ who comes with heavenly light and wisdom. He is condemned by the law to eternal wrath, and yet rejects Christ, who could render him complete and perfect righteousness. He is wholly polluted by nature and practice, yet will have nothing of Christ who would become sanctification to him. He is oppressed in soul and body with the deplorable effects and miseries that sin has brought upon him. He is so in love with his bondage, that he will neither accept Christ, nor the redemption he brings. O what beasts has sin turned its subjects into! Sin has stabbed the sinner to the heart. His wounds are all deadly, and eternal death is in his face. Christ has prepared the only remedy to cure his wounds, but he will not allow him to apply it. He acts like one in love with death, and that judges it sweet to perish. He is loath to burn, yet willing to sin, though sin kindles everlasting flames. He cannot think of damnation without horror, and yet cannot think of sin, the cause of damnation, without pleasure. He is loath to perish, and yet refuses Christ as if he were an enemy, though he alone can deliver him from eternal perdition. O how men act as if they were in love with their own ruin! Many poor wretches now in the way to hell are making every effort to cast themselves away. Christ restrains them along the way by convictions, but they overcome them. They accept a cure for anything but their souls. They undo themselves by rejecting Christ in his gracious offers. Damnation is inevitable, for there is no other way to salvation. Neither heathen or devils have so aggravated their sins by wilfully refusing such a wonderful and offered remedy.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
John Flavel, Works, II:27-29
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