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Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)

Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814

Part 1, Section 17: Means Ought to Be Sought After, in Order to Avoid the Wrath of God

But it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; and hence we ought to search after means to reconcile God to us, and to avoid the punishment which we have merited.

The diseased searches for a physician, he that is fallen into misery for a deliverer, and the guilty for a mediator; but as we have formerly shewn, that mankind are without strength, and in the greatest misery, and guilty before God, so, that man must be desperately and inexpressibly hardened, who would refuse to seek means of deliverance from his most miserable condition, and still more who should refuse to accept of them, were they offered to him. Though there actually have been, and still are such persons, (which is but another strong proof of the corruption of human nature,) who do not reflect on their helpless state, and though altogether miserable, do not think of the need which they have of a Redeemer; yet, dreading such a hardened state of heart, we, by the assistance of sound reason and the word of God, ought to be convinced that the healthy need not a physician, but the sick; and ought to fear, lest the following words be applicable to us:—“Thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Rev. iii. 17.