The Gospel: A savor of life to some but a savor of death to others

J.C. Ryle: We need reminding that the same Gospel which is the savor of life to some, is the savor of death to others, and that the same fire which softens the wax will also harden the clay. Nothing, in fact, seems to harden man's heart so much, as to hear the Gospel regularly, and yet deliberately prefer the service of sin and the world. Never was there a people so highly favored as the people of Capernaum, and never was there a people who appear to have become so hard. Let us beware of walking in their steps. We ought often to use the prayer of the Litany, "From hardness of heart, good Lord, deliver us."

– Hendryx, John (2010-11-01). Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J. C. Ryle (Kindle Locations 5528-5532). Monergism Books. Kindle Edition.