Quotes from A. W. Pink
If lustful looking be so grievous a sin, then those who dress and expose themselves with desires to be looked at and lusted after - are not less, but even more guilty. In this matter it is only too often the case that men sin, but women tempt them so to do. How great, then, must be the guilt of the great majority of the modern misses who deliberately seek to arouse the sexual passions of our young men. And how much greater still is the guilt of most of their mothers for allowing them to become lascivious temptresses.
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Many of the pulpiteers of the past fifty years acted as though the first and last object of their calling was the salvation of souls, everything being made to bend to their aim. In consequence, the feeding of the sheep, the maintaining of a Scriptural discipline in the church, and the inculcation of practical piety was crowded out; and only too often all sorts of worldly devices and fleshly methods were employed under the plea that the end justified the means; and thus the churches were filled with unregenerate members. In reality, such men defeated their own aim. The hard heart must be ploughed and harrowed before it can be receptive to the gospel seed. Doctrinal instruction must be given on the character of God, the requirements of the Law, the nature and heinousness of sin, if a foundation is to be laid for true evangelism. It is useless to preach Christ unto souls until they see and feel their desperate need of Him.
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Repentance is the hand releasing those filthy objects it had previously clung to so tenaciously. Faith is extending an empty hand to God to receive His gift of grace. Repentance is a godly sorrow for sin. Faith is receiving a sinner's Saviour. Repentance is revulsion of the filth and pollution of sin. Faith is seeking of cleansing therefrom. Repentance is the sinner covering his mouth and crying, "Unclean, unclean!" Faith is the leper coming to Christ and saying, "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."
Friday, May 29, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen
"Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Well, ladies and gentlemen - Do you think that it is good to be going to hell - that it is good to be dwelling with everlasting burnings - that it is good to be forever separated from the glorious presence of God? Do you think that it is good to forever lie a-sweltering under the wrath of an infinitely just God, and to abide forever and ever under those pains and torments which are endless, easeless, hopeless, and remediless? Do you think that it is good to be fettered with devils and damned spirits for all eternity?
"Oh no! this cannot be good! for the very thoughts of these things are enough to raise a hell on this side of hell - in our hearts!"
Oh then, with all your might pres after holiness, and pursue hard after holiness - as after the one thing necessary; for without holiness you shall as certainly go to hell - as holy people shall certainly go to heaven! Oh that you would forever remember this - that without all question, you shall never be saved, unless you are sanctified; you shall never be truly and eternally happy, unless you are truly holy!
"Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
~Thomas Brooks~
"Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Well, ladies and gentlemen - Do you think that it is good to be going to hell - that it is good to be dwelling with everlasting burnings - that it is good to be forever separated from the glorious presence of God? Do you think that it is good to forever lie a-sweltering under the wrath of an infinitely just God, and to abide forever and ever under those pains and torments which are endless, easeless, hopeless, and remediless? Do you think that it is good to be fettered with devils and damned spirits for all eternity?
"Oh no! this cannot be good! for the very thoughts of these things are enough to raise a hell on this side of hell - in our hearts!"
Oh then, with all your might pres after holiness, and pursue hard after holiness - as after the one thing necessary; for without holiness you shall as certainly go to hell - as holy people shall certainly go to heaven! Oh that you would forever remember this - that without all question, you shall never be saved, unless you are sanctified; you shall never be truly and eternally happy, unless you are truly holy!
"Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
If You Attempt to Enthrone the Creature!
If You Attempt to Enthrone the Creature!
O Christian! God has removed one of your sweetest mercies, comforts, or enjoyments! It may be that you have over-loved them, and over-much delighted yourself in them. It may be they have often had your heart - when they should have had but your hand. It may be that care, that concern, that confidence, that joy - which should have been expended upon more noble objects, has been expended upon them!
Your heart is Christ's bed of spices, and it may be that you have bedded your mercies with you - when Christ has been made to lie outside! You have had room for them - when you have had none for Him! They have had your best - when your worst have been counted good enough for Christ!
It is said of Reuben, that he went up to his father's bed, (Genesis 49:4). Ah, how often has one creature comfort, and sometimes another - been put in between Christ and your souls! How often have your dear enjoyments gone up to Christ's bed! Your near and dear mercies have come into Christ's bed of love - your hearts!
Now, if you take a husband, a child, a friend into that room in your soul which only belongs to God - then He will either embitter it, remove it, or be the death of it.
If once the love of a wife runs out more to a servant, then to her husband - the husband will remove that servant; though otherwise he was a servant worth gold.
Now, if God has stripped you of that very mercy with which you have often committed spiritual adultery and idolatry - have you any cause to murmur?
There are those who love their mercies into their graves, who hug their mercies to death, who kiss them until they kill them!
Christian! Your heart is Christ's royal throne, and in this throne Christ will be chief! He will endure no competitor! If you attempt to enthrone the creature, be it ever so near and dear unto you - Christ will dethrone it! He will destroy it!
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "I am about to desecrate my sanctuary - the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword!" (Exekiel 24:21).
~Thomas Brooks~
O Christian! God has removed one of your sweetest mercies, comforts, or enjoyments! It may be that you have over-loved them, and over-much delighted yourself in them. It may be they have often had your heart - when they should have had but your hand. It may be that care, that concern, that confidence, that joy - which should have been expended upon more noble objects, has been expended upon them!
Your heart is Christ's bed of spices, and it may be that you have bedded your mercies with you - when Christ has been made to lie outside! You have had room for them - when you have had none for Him! They have had your best - when your worst have been counted good enough for Christ!
It is said of Reuben, that he went up to his father's bed, (Genesis 49:4). Ah, how often has one creature comfort, and sometimes another - been put in between Christ and your souls! How often have your dear enjoyments gone up to Christ's bed! Your near and dear mercies have come into Christ's bed of love - your hearts!
Now, if you take a husband, a child, a friend into that room in your soul which only belongs to God - then He will either embitter it, remove it, or be the death of it.
If once the love of a wife runs out more to a servant, then to her husband - the husband will remove that servant; though otherwise he was a servant worth gold.
Now, if God has stripped you of that very mercy with which you have often committed spiritual adultery and idolatry - have you any cause to murmur?
There are those who love their mercies into their graves, who hug their mercies to death, who kiss them until they kill them!
Christian! Your heart is Christ's royal throne, and in this throne Christ will be chief! He will endure no competitor! If you attempt to enthrone the creature, be it ever so near and dear unto you - Christ will dethrone it! He will destroy it!
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "I am about to desecrate my sanctuary - the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword!" (Exekiel 24:21).
~Thomas Brooks~
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
What Can Mortal Man Give to His God?
What Can Mortal man Give to His God?
"What shall I render to the Lord, for all His benefits towards me?"
"What shall I render to the Lord?" Here is a question far easier asked, than answered. I confess that in studying this subject, when I asked my soul this question, and then tried faithfully to answer it, I found myself completely bewildered. I found I had all the desire in the world to render something. But what?
Think for a moment of the possessions of God. What can mortal man give to his God? How can the treasury of the Creator - be enriched by the gifts of the creature? The thought of our God's infinite wealth, makes the question of our text appear next door to an impertinence. Listen but to His own words, "I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine! If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all that is in it!" (Psalm 50:9-12).
The golden veins of the everlasting hills are His, and the hidden treasures of the vast deep belong to Him. Lift up your eyes on high some starry night, and behold the bespangled skies - every glittering speck you see is a rolling world, and every world is the result of His handiwork. The heavens are but His jewel case!
Now say believer, what you will lay at the feet of Him who can place His hand upon Heaven, earth, and hell, and say, "All is mine!"
But apart from the possessions of our God, there is another insuperable difficulty to answering the question, and that is our own poverty. It is total poverty, talking is a gift to infinite wealth. Ransack your memory, run over your accounts, find out what you possess. What is the sum total? Nothing! Nothing!! Nothing!!! We are miserable bankrupts, not worth a jot. The very bread we eat is the bread of divine charity - and the breath we draw is lent to us. It is utter emptiness, talking of giving to the perfection of fullness. It is the beggar rendering to the benefactor!
If we were able to give Him anything - it would be but rendering to Him what is already His own. What do we have, that we have not first received from God? "Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand!" (1 Chronicles 29:14).
The heart's gratitude is all the saint can give in return for divine mercies that are fresh with every hour, and as numerous as the seconds in the day.
But if thanksgiving is good, remember thanks-living is better; therefore let your whole life join in the harmony! Live for Him who died for you! The highest praise that mortal saint can give, is the praise that vents itself in the exclamation, "For me, to live is Christ!"
Give Him your love. Nothing testifies to gratitude so much. Indeed, where love is lacking, no true praise can exist. Do not be afraid of loving Him too much. Do not fear being thought a fanatic, or considered an enthusiast. If you could love Him to a flaming passion - you would not love Him half enough! Give Him your love - He asks for it, and will pardon its weakness.
~Archibald Brown~
"What shall I render to the Lord, for all His benefits towards me?"
"What shall I render to the Lord?" Here is a question far easier asked, than answered. I confess that in studying this subject, when I asked my soul this question, and then tried faithfully to answer it, I found myself completely bewildered. I found I had all the desire in the world to render something. But what?
Think for a moment of the possessions of God. What can mortal man give to his God? How can the treasury of the Creator - be enriched by the gifts of the creature? The thought of our God's infinite wealth, makes the question of our text appear next door to an impertinence. Listen but to His own words, "I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine! If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all that is in it!" (Psalm 50:9-12).
The golden veins of the everlasting hills are His, and the hidden treasures of the vast deep belong to Him. Lift up your eyes on high some starry night, and behold the bespangled skies - every glittering speck you see is a rolling world, and every world is the result of His handiwork. The heavens are but His jewel case!
Now say believer, what you will lay at the feet of Him who can place His hand upon Heaven, earth, and hell, and say, "All is mine!"
But apart from the possessions of our God, there is another insuperable difficulty to answering the question, and that is our own poverty. It is total poverty, talking is a gift to infinite wealth. Ransack your memory, run over your accounts, find out what you possess. What is the sum total? Nothing! Nothing!! Nothing!!! We are miserable bankrupts, not worth a jot. The very bread we eat is the bread of divine charity - and the breath we draw is lent to us. It is utter emptiness, talking of giving to the perfection of fullness. It is the beggar rendering to the benefactor!
If we were able to give Him anything - it would be but rendering to Him what is already His own. What do we have, that we have not first received from God? "Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand!" (1 Chronicles 29:14).
The heart's gratitude is all the saint can give in return for divine mercies that are fresh with every hour, and as numerous as the seconds in the day.
But if thanksgiving is good, remember thanks-living is better; therefore let your whole life join in the harmony! Live for Him who died for you! The highest praise that mortal saint can give, is the praise that vents itself in the exclamation, "For me, to live is Christ!"
Give Him your love. Nothing testifies to gratitude so much. Indeed, where love is lacking, no true praise can exist. Do not be afraid of loving Him too much. Do not fear being thought a fanatic, or considered an enthusiast. If you could love Him to a flaming passion - you would not love Him half enough! Give Him your love - He asks for it, and will pardon its weakness.
~Archibald Brown~
Monday, May 25, 2020
The Shepherd Seeking the Lost Sheep
The Shepherd Seeking the Lost Sheep
The conduct of the Lord Jesus was often misunderstood, and therefore His enemies complained and murmured against Him. This was the case, especially with the Pharisees, for self-righteous people are generally very difficult to please! Sometimes He vindicated Himself by a parable. Once when many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him, the Pharisees and Scribes murmured against Him, calling Him the friend of publicans and sinners; but He vindicated Himself, and justified His conduct by this beautiful little parable.
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says: "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!" (Luke 15:4-6).
1. Here is a representation of our character and condition We are like sheep, naturally dissatisfied, prone to wander, and forgetful of God. All have an inward craving for something they have not; all are restless and uneasy; all have forgotten God their maker and owner. All, we like sheep, have gone astray, we have each turned to his own way. We are strangers and aliens to God. We are far from God by wicked works. We are lost, and lost forever - if left to ourselves.
2. Here is a representation of the character and conduct of the Shepherd. He is caring, kind, and diligent. He cares for each one of His sheep. He is diligent - and therefore if but one goes astray - He goes after it. He watches over the whole flock. He perseveres in His attentions, until every one is eternally placed out of danger. He goes after every wanderer. He carries it right home, and fills heaven and earth with joy at its restoration. All His conduct towards it - is gentle, kind, and loving. He acquires the character of the good Shepherd - for He has even laid down His life for His sheep.
How highly Jesus prizes His sheep! He will not lose one of them. Wander where they will - He goes after them. Cost Him what it may - He will recover and restore them. Never for one moment can He forget them; nor does He think anything too hard to undertake for them.
The reason why they all arrive safe at home is to be found in the vigilance of the Shepherd's eye, the length of the Shepherd's arm, the strength of the Shepherd's shoulder, and the veracity of the Shepherd's word: "They shall never perish!"
~James Smith~
The conduct of the Lord Jesus was often misunderstood, and therefore His enemies complained and murmured against Him. This was the case, especially with the Pharisees, for self-righteous people are generally very difficult to please! Sometimes He vindicated Himself by a parable. Once when many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him, the Pharisees and Scribes murmured against Him, calling Him the friend of publicans and sinners; but He vindicated Himself, and justified His conduct by this beautiful little parable.
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says: "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!" (Luke 15:4-6).
1. Here is a representation of our character and condition We are like sheep, naturally dissatisfied, prone to wander, and forgetful of God. All have an inward craving for something they have not; all are restless and uneasy; all have forgotten God their maker and owner. All, we like sheep, have gone astray, we have each turned to his own way. We are strangers and aliens to God. We are far from God by wicked works. We are lost, and lost forever - if left to ourselves.
2. Here is a representation of the character and conduct of the Shepherd. He is caring, kind, and diligent. He cares for each one of His sheep. He is diligent - and therefore if but one goes astray - He goes after it. He watches over the whole flock. He perseveres in His attentions, until every one is eternally placed out of danger. He goes after every wanderer. He carries it right home, and fills heaven and earth with joy at its restoration. All His conduct towards it - is gentle, kind, and loving. He acquires the character of the good Shepherd - for He has even laid down His life for His sheep.
How highly Jesus prizes His sheep! He will not lose one of them. Wander where they will - He goes after them. Cost Him what it may - He will recover and restore them. Never for one moment can He forget them; nor does He think anything too hard to undertake for them.
The reason why they all arrive safe at home is to be found in the vigilance of the Shepherd's eye, the length of the Shepherd's arm, the strength of the Shepherd's shoulder, and the veracity of the Shepherd's word: "They shall never perish!"
~James Smith~
Sunday, May 24, 2020
My Pardon Cost Him That!
My Pardon Cost Him That!
"Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea!" (Micah 7:18-19).
Before God could forgive a sinner in accordance with His infinite holiness and perfect justice - think what had to be done, sacrificed, and suffered! Measure God's pardon, by the obstacles His pardoning love overcame - and then you can form some idea of its intensity.
God has fathomed His love and pity in one text, "God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." That little word "so" contains more than Heaven or earth can describe. In it, is the heart of God; in it, is the depth of pardoning love. O think for a minute what that pardon cost, which now makes your soul sing for joy. You received it freely enough, because Another paid the price; but what was that price?
It cost Jesus no lip can tell - and no heart conceive! See Him tied to yonder pillar - mark that awful scourge as it falls again and again upon His quivering flesh; note how deep the thongs cut, drawing blood at every stroke! Your pardon cost that! "By His stripes we are healed!" (Isaiah 53:5).
Follow Him in that weary walk to Calvary - linger by Him as fever courses through His veins, while head and hands and feet all drip with gore! Stay by Him until His sacred head falls upon the bosom, and His great heart breaks with anguish. And then looking up into that ashen countenance, say "My pardon cost Him that!"
Yes, no pardon could ever have come to guilty man - if an atonement had not been made that satisfied divine justice, honored the law, and magnified the holiness of God!
It is sweet work to trace the ruby stream of forgiving love; and mark how it would flow on until it reached the sinner, yes, even though it flowed along the channel of a Saviour's wounds!
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Who has grace so rich and free?
~Archibald Brown~
"Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea!" (Micah 7:18-19).
Before God could forgive a sinner in accordance with His infinite holiness and perfect justice - think what had to be done, sacrificed, and suffered! Measure God's pardon, by the obstacles His pardoning love overcame - and then you can form some idea of its intensity.
God has fathomed His love and pity in one text, "God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." That little word "so" contains more than Heaven or earth can describe. In it, is the heart of God; in it, is the depth of pardoning love. O think for a minute what that pardon cost, which now makes your soul sing for joy. You received it freely enough, because Another paid the price; but what was that price?
It cost Jesus no lip can tell - and no heart conceive! See Him tied to yonder pillar - mark that awful scourge as it falls again and again upon His quivering flesh; note how deep the thongs cut, drawing blood at every stroke! Your pardon cost that! "By His stripes we are healed!" (Isaiah 53:5).
Follow Him in that weary walk to Calvary - linger by Him as fever courses through His veins, while head and hands and feet all drip with gore! Stay by Him until His sacred head falls upon the bosom, and His great heart breaks with anguish. And then looking up into that ashen countenance, say "My pardon cost Him that!"
Yes, no pardon could ever have come to guilty man - if an atonement had not been made that satisfied divine justice, honored the law, and magnified the holiness of God!
It is sweet work to trace the ruby stream of forgiving love; and mark how it would flow on until it reached the sinner, yes, even though it flowed along the channel of a Saviour's wounds!
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Who has grace so rich and free?
~Archibald Brown~
Friday, May 22, 2020
They Chained and Nailed Their God Apollo To A Post
They Chained and Nailed Their God To A Post!
"Moses said unto God: "If Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!" (Exodus 33:15).
Nothing would satisfy Moses, below the presence of God, because he knew that it would be better that they should never move a foot farther - as to go on without God's favorable presence.
God promised that His angel would drive all their enemies out of the land. "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring the necks of all your proud, stout, strong, and subtle enemies under your feet!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring you to a land flowing with milk, and honey. I will make you to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; and you shall drink the finest wine!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring you to the paradise of the world - to a place of pleasure and delight, to Canaan, a type of Heaven!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here! O Lord, if I might have my wish, my desire, my choice - I had infinitely rather to live in a barren, howling wilderness with Your presence - than in Canaan without it! It is a mercy to have an angel to guard us, it is a mercy to have our enemies sprawling under our feet, it is a mercy to be brought into a pleasant land. Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here! Lord, nothing will please us, nothing will profit us, nothing will secure us, nothing will satisfy us - without Your Presence!"
I have read of the Tyrians, that they bound their gods with chains, that they might secure them and not be conquered by their enemies. And among the rest, they chained and nailed their god Apollo to a post - that they might be sure to keep their idol, because they thought their safety was in it.
I am sure of this - that our safety, our comfort, our all - lies in the special presence of God with us! Therefore let us, by faith and prayer - chain God to ourselves! If we let Him go, a thousand worlds cannot make up His absence!
O my friends, so long as you keep the presence of God with you - I am sure you are unconquerable! But if God withdraws His special presence - the weakest enemy will be too hard for you; yes, wounded men will prevail over you!
The burning bush, which was a type of the church, was not consumed - because God was in the midst of it. Oh, do but keep God's special presence with you - and nothing shall hurt you, nothing shall burn you!
But if God's special presence departs - nothing can secure you!
"Moses said unto God - "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here!"
~Thomas Brooks~
"Moses said unto God: "If Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!" (Exodus 33:15).
Nothing would satisfy Moses, below the presence of God, because he knew that it would be better that they should never move a foot farther - as to go on without God's favorable presence.
God promised that His angel would drive all their enemies out of the land. "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring the necks of all your proud, stout, strong, and subtle enemies under your feet!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring you to a land flowing with milk, and honey. I will make you to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; and you shall drink the finest wine!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here!"
"Yes, but I will bring you to the paradise of the world - to a place of pleasure and delight, to Canaan, a type of Heaven!" "Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us - do not send us up from here! O Lord, if I might have my wish, my desire, my choice - I had infinitely rather to live in a barren, howling wilderness with Your presence - than in Canaan without it! It is a mercy to have an angel to guard us, it is a mercy to have our enemies sprawling under our feet, it is a mercy to be brought into a pleasant land. Oh, but if Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here! Lord, nothing will please us, nothing will profit us, nothing will secure us, nothing will satisfy us - without Your Presence!"
I have read of the Tyrians, that they bound their gods with chains, that they might secure them and not be conquered by their enemies. And among the rest, they chained and nailed their god Apollo to a post - that they might be sure to keep their idol, because they thought their safety was in it.
I am sure of this - that our safety, our comfort, our all - lies in the special presence of God with us! Therefore let us, by faith and prayer - chain God to ourselves! If we let Him go, a thousand worlds cannot make up His absence!
O my friends, so long as you keep the presence of God with you - I am sure you are unconquerable! But if God withdraws His special presence - the weakest enemy will be too hard for you; yes, wounded men will prevail over you!
The burning bush, which was a type of the church, was not consumed - because God was in the midst of it. Oh, do but keep God's special presence with you - and nothing shall hurt you, nothing shall burn you!
But if God's special presence departs - nothing can secure you!
"Moses said unto God - "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here!"
~Thomas Brooks~
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Bewueath My Pastor's Soul to the Devil!
I Bequeath My Pastor's Soul to the Devil!
"Covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).
Covetousness is explicit idolatry.
Covetousness is the darling sin of our nation.
Covetousness being idolatry - is highly provoking to God.
This leprosy has infected all sorts and ranks of men.
Whatever a man loves most and best - that is his god. The covetous man looks upon the riches of the world as his heaven - his happiness - his great all. His heart is most upon the world, his thoughts are most upon the world, his affections are most upon the world, his discourse is most about this world.
He who has his mind taken up with the world, and chiefly delighted with the world's music - he has also his tongue tuned to the same key, and takes his joy and comfort in speaking of the world and worldly things. If the world is in the heart - it will break out at the lips. A worldly-minded man speaks mostly of worldly things. "They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world," John 4:5. The love of this world oils the tongue for worldly discourses, and makes men forget God, neglect Christ, despise holiness, forfeit Heaven.
Ah, the time, the thoughts, the strength, the efforts - which are spent upon the world, and the things of the world - while sinners' souls lie bleeding, and eternity is hastening upon them!
I have read of a greedy banker, who was always best when he was most in talking of money and the world. Being near his death, he was much pressed to make his will. Finally he dictates:
First, I bequeath my own soul to the devil - for being so greedy for the muck of this world!
Secondly, I bequeath my wife's soul to the devil - for persuading me to this worldly course of life.
Thirdly, I bequeath my pastor's soul to the devil- because he did not show me the danger I lived in, nor reprove me for it!
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction!" (1 Timothy 6:9).
~Thomas Brooks~
"Covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).
Covetousness is explicit idolatry.
Covetousness is the darling sin of our nation.
Covetousness being idolatry - is highly provoking to God.
This leprosy has infected all sorts and ranks of men.
Whatever a man loves most and best - that is his god. The covetous man looks upon the riches of the world as his heaven - his happiness - his great all. His heart is most upon the world, his thoughts are most upon the world, his affections are most upon the world, his discourse is most about this world.
He who has his mind taken up with the world, and chiefly delighted with the world's music - he has also his tongue tuned to the same key, and takes his joy and comfort in speaking of the world and worldly things. If the world is in the heart - it will break out at the lips. A worldly-minded man speaks mostly of worldly things. "They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world," John 4:5. The love of this world oils the tongue for worldly discourses, and makes men forget God, neglect Christ, despise holiness, forfeit Heaven.
Ah, the time, the thoughts, the strength, the efforts - which are spent upon the world, and the things of the world - while sinners' souls lie bleeding, and eternity is hastening upon them!
I have read of a greedy banker, who was always best when he was most in talking of money and the world. Being near his death, he was much pressed to make his will. Finally he dictates:
First, I bequeath my own soul to the devil - for being so greedy for the muck of this world!
Secondly, I bequeath my wife's soul to the devil - for persuading me to this worldly course of life.
Thirdly, I bequeath my pastor's soul to the devil- because he did not show me the danger I lived in, nor reprove me for it!
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction!" (1 Timothy 6:9).
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
All the Whole Volume of Perfections!
All The Whole Volume of Perfections!
"Whom do I have in Heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).
The true Christian seeks God as his choicest and chief good. God is a perfect good, a solid good. That is a perfect good - to which nothing can be added; that is a solid good - from which nothing can be spared. Such a good God is, and therefore He is chiefly to be sought.
God is a pure and simple good; He is a light in whom there is no darkness, a good in whom there is no evil. The goodness of the creature is mixed, yes, that little goodness which is in the creature is mixed with much evil; but God is an unmixed good. He is good, He is pure good. He is all over good. He is nothing but good.
God is an all-sufficient good. Augustine said, "He has all - who has the Haver of all."
God has in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, all happiness to crown you.
God is a satisfying good, a good that fills the heart and quiets the soul. In Him, I have all. I have all comforts, all delights, all contentments. As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is to be found in one piece of gold, so all the petty excellencies which are scattered abroad in the creatures - are to be found in God. Yes, all the whole volume of perfections, which is spread through heaven and earth - is epitomized in God. No good below Him who is the greatest good, can satisfy the soul. A good wife, a good child, a good name, a good estate, a good friend - cannot satisfy the soul. These may please - but they cannot satisfy.
Ah, that we should seek early, seek earnestly, seek affectionately, seek diligently, seek primarily, and seek unweariedly - this God, who is the greatest good, the best good, the most desirable good, who is - a suitable good, a pure good, a satisfying good, a total good, and an eternal good.
"Whom do I have in Heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).
~Thomas Brooks~
"Whom do I have in Heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).
The true Christian seeks God as his choicest and chief good. God is a perfect good, a solid good. That is a perfect good - to which nothing can be added; that is a solid good - from which nothing can be spared. Such a good God is, and therefore He is chiefly to be sought.
God is a pure and simple good; He is a light in whom there is no darkness, a good in whom there is no evil. The goodness of the creature is mixed, yes, that little goodness which is in the creature is mixed with much evil; but God is an unmixed good. He is good, He is pure good. He is all over good. He is nothing but good.
God is an all-sufficient good. Augustine said, "He has all - who has the Haver of all."
God has in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, all happiness to crown you.
God is a satisfying good, a good that fills the heart and quiets the soul. In Him, I have all. I have all comforts, all delights, all contentments. As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is to be found in one piece of gold, so all the petty excellencies which are scattered abroad in the creatures - are to be found in God. Yes, all the whole volume of perfections, which is spread through heaven and earth - is epitomized in God. No good below Him who is the greatest good, can satisfy the soul. A good wife, a good child, a good name, a good estate, a good friend - cannot satisfy the soul. These may please - but they cannot satisfy.
Ah, that we should seek early, seek earnestly, seek affectionately, seek diligently, seek primarily, and seek unweariedly - this God, who is the greatest good, the best good, the most desirable good, who is - a suitable good, a pure good, a satisfying good, a total good, and an eternal good.
"Whom do I have in Heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).
~Thomas Brooks~
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
How To Conquer The World!
How To Conquer The World!
Perhaps the world - the smiling world or the frowning world, the tempting world or the persecuting world - lies as a heavy stone or burden upon your heart, as it does upon the hearts of thousands in these days. Witness their attempting anything to get the favors, honors and riches of this world! Ah! how many have turned their backs upon God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and Heaven - to gain the world!
Men may hear many sermons - and yet remain worldly. They may pray like angels - and yet live as if there were no Heaven or hell. They will talk much of Heaven - and yet those who are spiritual and wise, smell their breath to stink strongly of earth.
All their endeavors can never cure them of this soul-killing disease - until faith breaks forth in its glorious actings. A man may hear sermons and pray many years - and yet remain as carnal, base, and worldly as ever! There is no way under Heaven to remove this burden - but by the exercise of faith!
"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5).
Faith presents the world to the soul under all those notions which the Scripture holds forth the world unto us by. The Scripture holds forth the world as an impotent thing, as a mixed thing, as a mutable thing, as a momentary thing.
Now faith comes and sets this home with power upon the soul - and this takes the soul off from the world.
Faith causes the soul to converse with those more glorious, soul-satisfying, soul-delighting, and soul-contenting objects! Now when faith is busied and exercised about soul-ennobling, soul-greatening, soul-raising, and soul-cheering objects - a Christian tramples the world under his feet! In Hebrews 11, it was the exercise of faith and hope upon noble and glorious objects, which carried them above the world...above the smiling world, above the tempting world, and above the persecuting world!
Faith conquers the world, by assuring the soul of enjoying of better things. Men may talk much of Heaven, and of Christ, and religion, etc.; but give me a man who really and clearly lives under the power of divine faith - and I cannot see how such a one can be carried out in an inordinate love to these poor transitory worldly things.
~Thomas Brooks~
Perhaps the world - the smiling world or the frowning world, the tempting world or the persecuting world - lies as a heavy stone or burden upon your heart, as it does upon the hearts of thousands in these days. Witness their attempting anything to get the favors, honors and riches of this world! Ah! how many have turned their backs upon God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and Heaven - to gain the world!
Men may hear many sermons - and yet remain worldly. They may pray like angels - and yet live as if there were no Heaven or hell. They will talk much of Heaven - and yet those who are spiritual and wise, smell their breath to stink strongly of earth.
All their endeavors can never cure them of this soul-killing disease - until faith breaks forth in its glorious actings. A man may hear sermons and pray many years - and yet remain as carnal, base, and worldly as ever! There is no way under Heaven to remove this burden - but by the exercise of faith!
"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5).
Faith presents the world to the soul under all those notions which the Scripture holds forth the world unto us by. The Scripture holds forth the world as an impotent thing, as a mixed thing, as a mutable thing, as a momentary thing.
Now faith comes and sets this home with power upon the soul - and this takes the soul off from the world.
Faith causes the soul to converse with those more glorious, soul-satisfying, soul-delighting, and soul-contenting objects! Now when faith is busied and exercised about soul-ennobling, soul-greatening, soul-raising, and soul-cheering objects - a Christian tramples the world under his feet! In Hebrews 11, it was the exercise of faith and hope upon noble and glorious objects, which carried them above the world...above the smiling world, above the tempting world, and above the persecuting world!
Faith conquers the world, by assuring the soul of enjoying of better things. Men may talk much of Heaven, and of Christ, and religion, etc.; but give me a man who really and clearly lives under the power of divine faith - and I cannot see how such a one can be carried out in an inordinate love to these poor transitory worldly things.
~Thomas Brooks~
Monday, May 18, 2020
Bits and Pieces to Ponder
Bits and Pieces to Ponder
The apostles of satan are not saloon-keepers and slave-traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead warning their hearers to "flee from the wrath to come" they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. Instead of declaring that "without shedding of blood is no remission," they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their hearers to "follow in His steps."
~A. W. Pink~
_____________________
False prophets are to be found in the circles of most the orthodox, and they pretend to have a fervent love for souls, yet they fatally delude multitudes concerning the way of salvation. The pulpit, platform, and pamphlet hacksters have wantonly lowered the standard of divine holiness and so adulterated the Gospel in order to make it palatable to the carnal mind.
~A. W. Pink~
The apostles of satan are not saloon-keepers and slave-traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead warning their hearers to "flee from the wrath to come" they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. Instead of declaring that "without shedding of blood is no remission," they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their hearers to "follow in His steps."
~A. W. Pink~
_____________________
False prophets are to be found in the circles of most the orthodox, and they pretend to have a fervent love for souls, yet they fatally delude multitudes concerning the way of salvation. The pulpit, platform, and pamphlet hacksters have wantonly lowered the standard of divine holiness and so adulterated the Gospel in order to make it palatable to the carnal mind.
~A. W. Pink~
Such A Friend!
Such A Friend!
Proverbs 18:24, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Such a friend is the Lord Jesus.
He is so a friend to every one of His people - as if He were a friend to none besides.
Jesus is an omnipotent friend, an omniscient friend, an omnipresent friend, an all-sufficient friend, a sovereign friend, an immutable friend, a watchful friend, a loving friend, a faithful friend, a compassionate friend, an intimate friend, a friend in all cases and in all places, our best friend!
"Whom He loves, He loves to the end!" (John 13:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
Proverbs 18:24, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Such a friend is the Lord Jesus.
He is so a friend to every one of His people - as if He were a friend to none besides.
Jesus is an omnipotent friend, an omniscient friend, an omnipresent friend, an all-sufficient friend, a sovereign friend, an immutable friend, a watchful friend, a loving friend, a faithful friend, a compassionate friend, an intimate friend, a friend in all cases and in all places, our best friend!
"Whom He loves, He loves to the end!" (John 13:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Murder All His Hearers At Once!
Murder All His Hearers At Once!
"The leaders of the people have led them down the path of destruction" (Isaiah 9:16).
Take heed of settling yourselves under an unholy minister - of one whose life gives the lie to his doctrine. An unholy preacher is the greatest destroyer of the souls of men! He who preaches well - but lives bad - does what he can to murder all his hearers at once! There is no greater bar to holiness, than minister's unholy lives. An unholy life mars the soundest and the sweetest doctrine. The sins of teachers are the teachers of sin!
An unholy minister is the greatest pest, the worst plague, and the greatest mischief - that can be to a people for his enormities, his wickedness, will have the strongest influence upon the souls and lives of men - to make them eternally miserable. His falls will be the fall and ruin of many; for people are prone to live more by examples - than by precepts; mind more what the minister does - than what he says; eye more how he walks - than how he talks.
Let a minister be ever so learned, solid, quaint, elegant, zealous, judicious, sententious - yet if he is carnal, covetous, worldly, vain, and loose in his life and walk, his hearers will rather slight and abhor the holy things of God.
When the preacher departs out of the way of holiness, the people will quickly wander from all that is good. He whose life is not a standing reproof to sin, will, by his life, encourage sinners more and more in a way of sin. There is nothing which keeps men so off from the love of holiness, and from pursuing after holiness - than the unholy lives of their ministers.
"Which your life and doctrine closely" (1 Timothy 4:16).
"Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (! Timothy 4:12).
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good" (Titus 2:7).
~Thomas Brooks~
"The leaders of the people have led them down the path of destruction" (Isaiah 9:16).
Take heed of settling yourselves under an unholy minister - of one whose life gives the lie to his doctrine. An unholy preacher is the greatest destroyer of the souls of men! He who preaches well - but lives bad - does what he can to murder all his hearers at once! There is no greater bar to holiness, than minister's unholy lives. An unholy life mars the soundest and the sweetest doctrine. The sins of teachers are the teachers of sin!
An unholy minister is the greatest pest, the worst plague, and the greatest mischief - that can be to a people for his enormities, his wickedness, will have the strongest influence upon the souls and lives of men - to make them eternally miserable. His falls will be the fall and ruin of many; for people are prone to live more by examples - than by precepts; mind more what the minister does - than what he says; eye more how he walks - than how he talks.
Let a minister be ever so learned, solid, quaint, elegant, zealous, judicious, sententious - yet if he is carnal, covetous, worldly, vain, and loose in his life and walk, his hearers will rather slight and abhor the holy things of God.
When the preacher departs out of the way of holiness, the people will quickly wander from all that is good. He whose life is not a standing reproof to sin, will, by his life, encourage sinners more and more in a way of sin. There is nothing which keeps men so off from the love of holiness, and from pursuing after holiness - than the unholy lives of their ministers.
"Which your life and doctrine closely" (1 Timothy 4:16).
"Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (! Timothy 4:12).
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good" (Titus 2:7).
~Thomas Brooks~
Friday, May 15, 2020
The Best Means to Mortify Sin!!
The Best Means to Mortify Sin!
"Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly; sexual immortality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).
While a darling sin lives and keeps the throne in the heart, grace and holiness will be kept exceeding weak and low. But when your darling sin is dethroned and slain by the power and the sword of the Spirit - grace and holiness will quickly grow stronger and stronger, and rise higher and higher.
When a man has eaten poison, nothing will make him thrive, until he has vomited up the poison. Beloved sins - they are the poison of the soul, and until these are vomited up, and cast out by sound repentance, and the exercise of faith in the blood of Christ, the soul will never thrive in grace and holiness!
If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness, then fall with all your might, upon subduing and crucifying your most raging corruptions, and your most daring lusts!
Oh, do not think that your golden and your silver idols will lay down their weapons, and yield the battle, and lie at your feet, and let you trample them to death - without striking a blow! Oh remember that besetting sins will do all they can to keep their ground, and therefore you must arise with all your strength against them, and crush them to powder, and burn them to ashes!
Oh deal with your most enraged lusts, as the Philistines dealt with Samson - pluck out their eyes, and force them to grind in the mill of mortification, until their strength is utterly consumed and wasted.
I have read of five men, who being asked what was the best means to mortify sin, gave these answers:
Said the first, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on death."
Said the second, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the judgment day."
Said the third, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the joys of heaven."
Said the fourth, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the torments of hell."
Said the fifth, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the death and suffering of Christ."
Doubtless the last man hit the nail on the head!
The daily sight of a bleeding, groaning, dying Saviour is the only thing which will subdue and mortify darling sin!
O friends! Never leave looking up to a crucified Christ, until virtue flows from Him to the crucifying of those special besetting sins which do most obstruct and hinder the growth and increase of holiness!
~Thomas Brooks~
"Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly; sexual immortality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).
While a darling sin lives and keeps the throne in the heart, grace and holiness will be kept exceeding weak and low. But when your darling sin is dethroned and slain by the power and the sword of the Spirit - grace and holiness will quickly grow stronger and stronger, and rise higher and higher.
When a man has eaten poison, nothing will make him thrive, until he has vomited up the poison. Beloved sins - they are the poison of the soul, and until these are vomited up, and cast out by sound repentance, and the exercise of faith in the blood of Christ, the soul will never thrive in grace and holiness!
If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness, then fall with all your might, upon subduing and crucifying your most raging corruptions, and your most daring lusts!
Oh, do not think that your golden and your silver idols will lay down their weapons, and yield the battle, and lie at your feet, and let you trample them to death - without striking a blow! Oh remember that besetting sins will do all they can to keep their ground, and therefore you must arise with all your strength against them, and crush them to powder, and burn them to ashes!
Oh deal with your most enraged lusts, as the Philistines dealt with Samson - pluck out their eyes, and force them to grind in the mill of mortification, until their strength is utterly consumed and wasted.
I have read of five men, who being asked what was the best means to mortify sin, gave these answers:
Said the first, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on death."
Said the second, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the judgment day."
Said the third, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the joys of heaven."
Said the fourth, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the torments of hell."
Said the fifth, "The best means to mortify sin, is to meditate on the death and suffering of Christ."
Doubtless the last man hit the nail on the head!
The daily sight of a bleeding, groaning, dying Saviour is the only thing which will subdue and mortify darling sin!
O friends! Never leave looking up to a crucified Christ, until virtue flows from Him to the crucifying of those special besetting sins which do most obstruct and hinder the growth and increase of holiness!
~Thomas Brooks~
Thursday, May 14, 2020
A Cooler Hell
A Cooler Hell
"God, I thank You that I'm not like other people - greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get" (Luke 18:11-12).
Many please and satisfy themselves with mere civility and common morality. They bless themselves that they are not swearers, nor drunkards, nor extortioners, nor adulterers. Their behavior is civil, sincere, harmless and blameless.
But civility is not sanctity.
Civility rested in, is but a beautiful abomination - a smooth way to hell and damnation!
Civility is very often the nurse of impiety, the mother of flattery, and an enemy to real sanctity. There are those who are so blinded with the fair shows of civility - that they can neither see the necessity nor beauty of sanctity. There are those who now bless themselves in their common morality, whom at last God will scorn and cast off for lack of real holiness and purity.
A moral man may be an utter stranger to God, to Christ, to Scripture, to the filthiness of sin, to the depths and devices of satan, to their own hearts, to the new birth, to the great concerns of eternity, to communion with Christ, to the secret and inward ways and workings of the Spirit.
Well, sirs, remember this: though the moral man is good for many things - yet he is not good enough to go to Heaven! He who rises to no higher pitch than civility and morality - shall never have communion with God in glory. The most moral man in the world, may be both Christless and graceless.
Morality is not sufficient to keep a man out of eternal misery. All morality can do, is to help a man to one of the best rooms and easiest beds which hell affords! For, as the moral man's sins are not so great as others - so his punishment shall not be so great as others. This is all the comfort that can be given to a moral man - that he shall have a cooler hell than others have. This is bot cold comfort!
Morality without piety is a body without a soul. Will God ever accept of such a stinking sacrifice? Surely not!
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God" (Luke 18:13-14).
~Thomas Brooks~
"God, I thank You that I'm not like other people - greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get" (Luke 18:11-12).
Many please and satisfy themselves with mere civility and common morality. They bless themselves that they are not swearers, nor drunkards, nor extortioners, nor adulterers. Their behavior is civil, sincere, harmless and blameless.
But civility is not sanctity.
Civility rested in, is but a beautiful abomination - a smooth way to hell and damnation!
Civility is very often the nurse of impiety, the mother of flattery, and an enemy to real sanctity. There are those who are so blinded with the fair shows of civility - that they can neither see the necessity nor beauty of sanctity. There are those who now bless themselves in their common morality, whom at last God will scorn and cast off for lack of real holiness and purity.
A moral man may be an utter stranger to God, to Christ, to Scripture, to the filthiness of sin, to the depths and devices of satan, to their own hearts, to the new birth, to the great concerns of eternity, to communion with Christ, to the secret and inward ways and workings of the Spirit.
Well, sirs, remember this: though the moral man is good for many things - yet he is not good enough to go to Heaven! He who rises to no higher pitch than civility and morality - shall never have communion with God in glory. The most moral man in the world, may be both Christless and graceless.
Morality is not sufficient to keep a man out of eternal misery. All morality can do, is to help a man to one of the best rooms and easiest beds which hell affords! For, as the moral man's sins are not so great as others - so his punishment shall not be so great as others. This is all the comfort that can be given to a moral man - that he shall have a cooler hell than others have. This is bot cold comfort!
Morality without piety is a body without a soul. Will God ever accept of such a stinking sacrifice? Surely not!
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God" (Luke 18:13-14).
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
When He Shows No Anger!
When He Shows No Anger!
"The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:6).
There cannot be a greater evidence of God's hatred and wrath - than His refusing to correct men for their sinful courses and vanities!
Where God refuses to correct - there God resolves to destroy!
There is no man so near God's ax - so near the flames - so near hell - as he whom God will not so much as spend a rod upon!
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline" (Revelation 3:19).
God is most angry - when He shows no anger!
Who can seriously meditate upon this, and not be silent under God's most smarting rod?
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done" (Romans 1:28).
~Thomas Brooks~
"The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:6).
There cannot be a greater evidence of God's hatred and wrath - than His refusing to correct men for their sinful courses and vanities!
Where God refuses to correct - there God resolves to destroy!
There is no man so near God's ax - so near the flames - so near hell - as he whom God will not so much as spend a rod upon!
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline" (Revelation 3:19).
God is most angry - when He shows no anger!
Who can seriously meditate upon this, and not be silent under God's most smarting rod?
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done" (Romans 1:28).
~Thomas Brooks~
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Man's Wasted Potential
Man's Wasted Potential
"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
God has made ti plain that hell is a real place - a final abode for people who do not want to love God and serve Him!
The sadness and the tragedy of this fact are that these are human beings, all dear to God because He created them in His own image. Of nothing else in the Creation is it said that it was created in the likeness of God!
Because fallen and perishing man is still nearer to God's likeness than any other creature on earth, God offers him conversion, regeneration and forgiveness. It was surely because of this great potential in the human personality that the eternal Word could become flesh and dwell among us.
We are assured in many ways in the Scriptures that God the Creator does not waste human personality, but it is surely one of the stark tragedies of life that human personality can waste itself!
A man by his own sin may waste himself, which is to waste and lose that which on earth is most like God. The man who dies out of Christ is said to be lost, and hardly a word in our language expresses his condition with greater accuracy!
Lord, make me sensitive today to opportunities to share Your love with someone who does not have a personal relationship with You. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
God has made ti plain that hell is a real place - a final abode for people who do not want to love God and serve Him!
The sadness and the tragedy of this fact are that these are human beings, all dear to God because He created them in His own image. Of nothing else in the Creation is it said that it was created in the likeness of God!
Because fallen and perishing man is still nearer to God's likeness than any other creature on earth, God offers him conversion, regeneration and forgiveness. It was surely because of this great potential in the human personality that the eternal Word could become flesh and dwell among us.
We are assured in many ways in the Scriptures that God the Creator does not waste human personality, but it is surely one of the stark tragedies of life that human personality can waste itself!
A man by his own sin may waste himself, which is to waste and lose that which on earth is most like God. The man who dies out of Christ is said to be lost, and hardly a word in our language expresses his condition with greater accuracy!
Lord, make me sensitive today to opportunities to share Your love with someone who does not have a personal relationship with You. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Monday, May 11, 2020
Affliction, Submission In
Affliction, Submission In
Isa. 40:31; Matt. 5:11, 10:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:4, 3:5, 11:30, 12:5; Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 4:13-14.
Rutherford beautifully writes, in reference to the value of sanctified trial and the wisdom of submitting to it in God's will: "Why should I complain at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep burrows on my soul? I know that He is no idle husband-man; He purposeth a crop. Oh, what I owe to the file, the hammer, to thre furnace of my Lord Jesus, who hath now let me see how good the wheat of Christ is that goeth through His mill and His oven, to be made bread for His own table."
~D. L. Moody~
Afflictions, blessings of
Isa. 40:31; Matt. 5:11, 10:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 14:3-5, 11:30, 12:5; Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 4:13-14.
Dryer said, "Afflictions are blessings to us when we can bless God for afflictions. Suffering has kept many from sinning. God had one Son without sin; but He never had any without sorrow. Fiery trials make golden Christians sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions."
~D. L. Moody~
Isa. 40:31; Matt. 5:11, 10:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:4, 3:5, 11:30, 12:5; Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 4:13-14.
Rutherford beautifully writes, in reference to the value of sanctified trial and the wisdom of submitting to it in God's will: "Why should I complain at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep burrows on my soul? I know that He is no idle husband-man; He purposeth a crop. Oh, what I owe to the file, the hammer, to thre furnace of my Lord Jesus, who hath now let me see how good the wheat of Christ is that goeth through His mill and His oven, to be made bread for His own table."
~D. L. Moody~
Afflictions, blessings of
Isa. 40:31; Matt. 5:11, 10:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 14:3-5, 11:30, 12:5; Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 4:13-14.
Dryer said, "Afflictions are blessings to us when we can bless God for afflictions. Suffering has kept many from sinning. God had one Son without sin; but He never had any without sorrow. Fiery trials make golden Christians sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions."
~D. L. Moody~
Sunday, May 10, 2020
An Ever-present Help In Trouble
An Ever-present Help In Trouble
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour!" (Isaiah 43:1-3).
This divine presence is the greatest good in the world.
The people of the Lord should be very thankful for His presence with them in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses. O Sirs! this divine presence is a great mercy. It is a special mercy, it is a distinguishing mercy. It it a mercy-greatening mercy; it greatens all the mercies we enjoy. It is a mercy-sweetening mercy; it sweetens health, strength, riches, honors, trade, relations, etc.
It is a soul-mercy, a mercy which reaches the soul, which cheers the soul, which lifts up the soul, which quiets the soul, which satisfies the soul, and which will go to Heaven with the soul.
Will you not be thankful for such a mercy? Will you be thankful for temporal mercies - and will you not be thankful for spiritual mercies? To enjoy the presence of God when we most need it, is a mercy which deserves perpetual praises. It is the greatest mercy in this world, to enjoy the gracious presence of God in our great troubles and desperate dangers. Therefore be much in blessing God, and in admiring God - for His presence with you in a dark and trying day.
"I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5).
"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!" (Psalm 46:7).
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour!" (Isaiah 43:1-3).
This divine presence is the greatest good in the world.
The people of the Lord should be very thankful for His presence with them in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses. O Sirs! this divine presence is a great mercy. It is a special mercy, it is a distinguishing mercy. It it a mercy-greatening mercy; it greatens all the mercies we enjoy. It is a mercy-sweetening mercy; it sweetens health, strength, riches, honors, trade, relations, etc.
It is a soul-mercy, a mercy which reaches the soul, which cheers the soul, which lifts up the soul, which quiets the soul, which satisfies the soul, and which will go to Heaven with the soul.
Will you not be thankful for such a mercy? Will you be thankful for temporal mercies - and will you not be thankful for spiritual mercies? To enjoy the presence of God when we most need it, is a mercy which deserves perpetual praises. It is the greatest mercy in this world, to enjoy the gracious presence of God in our great troubles and desperate dangers. Therefore be much in blessing God, and in admiring God - for His presence with you in a dark and trying day.
"I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5).
"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!" (Psalm 46:7).
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
Friday, May 8, 2020
Would He Not Stab It With A Thousand Wounds?
Would He Not Stab It With A Thousand Wounds?
Sin never appears so odious, as when we behold it in the red glass of Christ's sufferings. Can we look upon sin as the occasion of all Christ's sufferings; can we look upon sin as that which made Christ a curse, and which made Him forsaken of His Father, and which made Him live such a miserable life, and which brought Him to die such a shameful, painful, and cruel death - and our hearts not rise against it?
Shall our sins be grievous unto Christ - and shall they not be odious unto us? Shall He die for our sins - and shall not we die to our sins? Did not He suffer for sin - that we might cease from sin?
It is sin which has stung our dear Jesus to death, which has crucified our Lord, clouded His glory, and shed His precious blood! Would He not stab it with a thousand wounds? Oh, how should this stir up our indignation against sin!
Ah, how can a Christian make much of those sins, which have killed his dearest Lord! How can he cherish those sins which betrayed Christ, and bound Christ, and condemned Christ, and scourged Christ, and which violently hnailed Him to the Cross, and there murdered Him!
It was neither Judas, nor Pilate, nor the Jews, nor the soldiers - which could have done our Lord Jesus the least hurt - had not our sins, like so many butchers and hangmen, come in to their assistance!
~Thomas Brooks~
Sin never appears so odious, as when we behold it in the red glass of Christ's sufferings. Can we look upon sin as the occasion of all Christ's sufferings; can we look upon sin as that which made Christ a curse, and which made Him forsaken of His Father, and which made Him live such a miserable life, and which brought Him to die such a shameful, painful, and cruel death - and our hearts not rise against it?
Shall our sins be grievous unto Christ - and shall they not be odious unto us? Shall He die for our sins - and shall not we die to our sins? Did not He suffer for sin - that we might cease from sin?
It is sin which has stung our dear Jesus to death, which has crucified our Lord, clouded His glory, and shed His precious blood! Would He not stab it with a thousand wounds? Oh, how should this stir up our indignation against sin!
Ah, how can a Christian make much of those sins, which have killed his dearest Lord! How can he cherish those sins which betrayed Christ, and bound Christ, and condemned Christ, and scourged Christ, and which violently hnailed Him to the Cross, and there murdered Him!
It was neither Judas, nor Pilate, nor the Jews, nor the soldiers - which could have done our Lord Jesus the least hurt - had not our sins, like so many butchers and hangmen, come in to their assistance!
~Thomas Brooks~
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Who Sees Us? Who Will Know?
Who Sees Us? Who Will Know?
Atheism reigns in the hearts and lives of sinners.
The covetous make their gold their god. The drunkard and glutton make their bellies their god. The ambitious make honors their god. The voluptuous make pleasures their god. The religionists make pious duties their god. The moral make virtue their god.
"The fool says in his heart - There is no God!" (Psalm 14:1).
Atheism denies God either: in opinion - saying there is no God; or in affections - wishing there were no God; or in practice - living as if there were no God.
What an abundance of atheists there are in the land!
"He says to himself - God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees" (Psalm 10:11).
"They say - How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" (Psalm 73:11).
"They say - The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed" (Psalm 94:7).
What horrid blasphemy, what gross atheism is here! How do these atheists ungod the great God! How do they deny His omnipotence and omniscience! What as idol-god do they make the great God to be!
There are many who sin freely in secret, who can be drunk and filthy in the dark, when the eye of man is not upon them. Certainly those men's hearts are very atheistic, who dare do that in the sight of God - which they tremble to do before the eyes of men!
How many are there who flatter themselves in their sins, and conclude that surely the bitterness of hell and wrath is past, and that they are in a fair way for heaven - when every step they take is towards the bottomless pit, and divine vengeance hangs over their heads, ready every moment to fall upon them!
"On earth are atheists many.
In hell there are not any."
"Woe to those who go to great depths to hids their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think - Who sees us? Who will know? (Isaiah 29:15).
~Thomas Brooks~
Atheism reigns in the hearts and lives of sinners.
The covetous make their gold their god. The drunkard and glutton make their bellies their god. The ambitious make honors their god. The voluptuous make pleasures their god. The religionists make pious duties their god. The moral make virtue their god.
"The fool says in his heart - There is no God!" (Psalm 14:1).
Atheism denies God either: in opinion - saying there is no God; or in affections - wishing there were no God; or in practice - living as if there were no God.
What an abundance of atheists there are in the land!
"He says to himself - God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees" (Psalm 10:11).
"They say - How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" (Psalm 73:11).
"They say - The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed" (Psalm 94:7).
What horrid blasphemy, what gross atheism is here! How do these atheists ungod the great God! How do they deny His omnipotence and omniscience! What as idol-god do they make the great God to be!
There are many who sin freely in secret, who can be drunk and filthy in the dark, when the eye of man is not upon them. Certainly those men's hearts are very atheistic, who dare do that in the sight of God - which they tremble to do before the eyes of men!
How many are there who flatter themselves in their sins, and conclude that surely the bitterness of hell and wrath is past, and that they are in a fair way for heaven - when every step they take is towards the bottomless pit, and divine vengeance hangs over their heads, ready every moment to fall upon them!
"On earth are atheists many.
In hell there are not any."
"Woe to those who go to great depths to hids their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think - Who sees us? Who will know? (Isaiah 29:15).
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
A Whole Christ With A Whole Heart!
A Whole Christ With A Whole Heart!
The terms which Christ is offered in the gospel are these: that we shall accept of a whole Christ with a whole heart. Now, mark - a whole Christ includes all His offices; and a whole heart includes all our faculties.
Christ as mediator is prophet, priest, and king.
Christ as a prophet instructs us.
Christ as a priest redeems us and intercedes for us.
Christ as king sanctifies and rules us.
A hypocrite may be willing to embrace Christ as a priest to save him from wrath, from the curse, from hell, from everlasting burning - but he is never sincerely willing to embrace Christ as a prophet to teach and instruct him, and as a king to rule and reign over him.
Many hypocrites are willing to embrace a saving Christ - but they are not willing to embrace a ruling Christ, a commanding Christ. "But those enemies of Mine who did not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in front of Me!" (Luke 19:27).
Hypocrites love to share with Christ in His happiness - but they don't love to share with Christ in His holiness. They are willing to be redeemed by Christ - but they are not cordially willing to submit to the laws and government of Christ. They are willing to be saved by His blood - but they are not willing to submit to His scepter.
But a true Christian receives Christ in all His offices. He accepts Him, not only as a saving Jesus - but also as a Lord Jesus. He embraces Him, not only as a saing Christ - but also as a ruling Christ. He received Christ as a king upon His throne, as well as an atoning sacrifice upon His Cross.
A hypocrite is all for a saving Christ, for a sin-pardoning Christ, for a soul-saving Christ - but has no regard for a ruling Christ, a reigning Christ, a commanding Christ, a sanctifying Christ; and this at last will prove his damning sin!
~Thomas Brooks~
The terms which Christ is offered in the gospel are these: that we shall accept of a whole Christ with a whole heart. Now, mark - a whole Christ includes all His offices; and a whole heart includes all our faculties.
Christ as mediator is prophet, priest, and king.
Christ as a prophet instructs us.
Christ as a priest redeems us and intercedes for us.
Christ as king sanctifies and rules us.
A hypocrite may be willing to embrace Christ as a priest to save him from wrath, from the curse, from hell, from everlasting burning - but he is never sincerely willing to embrace Christ as a prophet to teach and instruct him, and as a king to rule and reign over him.
Many hypocrites are willing to embrace a saving Christ - but they are not willing to embrace a ruling Christ, a commanding Christ. "But those enemies of Mine who did not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in front of Me!" (Luke 19:27).
Hypocrites love to share with Christ in His happiness - but they don't love to share with Christ in His holiness. They are willing to be redeemed by Christ - but they are not cordially willing to submit to the laws and government of Christ. They are willing to be saved by His blood - but they are not willing to submit to His scepter.
But a true Christian receives Christ in all His offices. He accepts Him, not only as a saving Jesus - but also as a Lord Jesus. He embraces Him, not only as a saing Christ - but also as a ruling Christ. He received Christ as a king upon His throne, as well as an atoning sacrifice upon His Cross.
A hypocrite is all for a saving Christ, for a sin-pardoning Christ, for a soul-saving Christ - but has no regard for a ruling Christ, a reigning Christ, a commanding Christ, a sanctifying Christ; and this at last will prove his damning sin!
~Thomas Brooks~
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Called According To His Purpose
Called According To His Purpose
Romans 8:28
God has a very great purpose for His people by their eternal calling and by their wonderful redemption. A very great purpose...so much greater than the majority of Christians have realized. I do not think I am saying a false thing when I say that perhaps the large number of Christians have got little further than to know that they are saved, and to be very glad that they are saved, to rejoice in being saved. Comparatively few are really in the good of God's great, great purpose from eternity. "Called according to His purpose". It is not for us now to say what that purpose is, to explain it. It is sufficient to state the fact. We are called with a very great purpose, not us even to get out of Egypt and the clutches of the devil, but with an object, a tremendous object, nothing less than the infinite fullness of God's Son, Jesus Christ, and an eternal vocation. It is a great thing to which we are called in Christ, but how many Christians are really in it, and if they know they are in it, are tasting of the meaning of it: that this life is an inexhaustible Life, that there are new visas all the time.
I am not exaggerating. The heavens are opened and we see more and more, and ever more, of what it is to which we are called. It is just wonderful...You are not meant just to be saved and get to heaven, to know your sins are forgiven and to have a certain number of blessings which come with salvation. But there lies before you and reaches out through eternal ages such a purpose of God concerning us all that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
~T. Austin-Sparks~
Romans 8:28
God has a very great purpose for His people by their eternal calling and by their wonderful redemption. A very great purpose...so much greater than the majority of Christians have realized. I do not think I am saying a false thing when I say that perhaps the large number of Christians have got little further than to know that they are saved, and to be very glad that they are saved, to rejoice in being saved. Comparatively few are really in the good of God's great, great purpose from eternity. "Called according to His purpose". It is not for us now to say what that purpose is, to explain it. It is sufficient to state the fact. We are called with a very great purpose, not us even to get out of Egypt and the clutches of the devil, but with an object, a tremendous object, nothing less than the infinite fullness of God's Son, Jesus Christ, and an eternal vocation. It is a great thing to which we are called in Christ, but how many Christians are really in it, and if they know they are in it, are tasting of the meaning of it: that this life is an inexhaustible Life, that there are new visas all the time.
I am not exaggerating. The heavens are opened and we see more and more, and ever more, of what it is to which we are called. It is just wonderful...You are not meant just to be saved and get to heaven, to know your sins are forgiven and to have a certain number of blessings which come with salvation. But there lies before you and reaches out through eternal ages such a purpose of God concerning us all that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
~T. Austin-Sparks~
Monday, May 4, 2020
All The Sins Of The Saints
All The Sins Of The Saints
"We know that God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
All the afflictions, and all the temptations, and all the desertions, and all the oppressions, and all the oppositions, and all the persecutions - which befall a godly man, shall work for his good.
Every cross, and every loss, and every disease - which befall the holy man, shall work for his good.
Every device, every snare, every deceit, every depth, every stratagem, and every enterprise of satan against the holy man - shall work for his good.
They shall all help to make him more humble, more holy, more heavenly, more spiritual, more faithful, more fruitful, more watchful.
Every prosperity, and every adversity; every storm, and every calm; every bitter, and every sweet; every cross, and every comfort - shall work for the holy man's good.
When God gives a mercy - that shall work for his good. When God takes away a mercy - that shall work for his good. Yes, even all the falls and all the sins of the saints shall work for their good. Oh, the care, the fear, the watchfulness, the tenderness, the zeal - which God raises in the souls of His saints by their very falls!
Oh what love to Christ, what thankfulness for Christ, what admiration of Christ, what cleaving to Christ, what exalting of Christ, are saints led to, by their very falls!
It is the glory of God's holiness, that He can turn spiritual diseases into holy remedies! He can prevent sin by sin, and cure falling by falling!
O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you, what though enemies are plotting against you, what though needs are breaking in upon you, what though men rage, and devils roar against you, what though death stands every day at your elbow - yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because all these things shall work for your good! Yes, there is wonderful cause of joy and rejoicing in all the afflictions and tribulations which come upon you - considering that they shall all work for your good.
O Christian! I am afraid, I am afraid - that you do not run so often as you should to the breasts of this promise, nor draw that sweetness and comfort from it, that it would yield, and that your several cases may require. "We know that God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I have been the longer upon this verse, because the conditions of God's people calls for the strongest cordials, and the choicest and the sweetest comforts.
~Thomas Brooks~
"We know that God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
All the afflictions, and all the temptations, and all the desertions, and all the oppressions, and all the oppositions, and all the persecutions - which befall a godly man, shall work for his good.
Every cross, and every loss, and every disease - which befall the holy man, shall work for his good.
Every device, every snare, every deceit, every depth, every stratagem, and every enterprise of satan against the holy man - shall work for his good.
They shall all help to make him more humble, more holy, more heavenly, more spiritual, more faithful, more fruitful, more watchful.
Every prosperity, and every adversity; every storm, and every calm; every bitter, and every sweet; every cross, and every comfort - shall work for the holy man's good.
When God gives a mercy - that shall work for his good. When God takes away a mercy - that shall work for his good. Yes, even all the falls and all the sins of the saints shall work for their good. Oh, the care, the fear, the watchfulness, the tenderness, the zeal - which God raises in the souls of His saints by their very falls!
Oh what love to Christ, what thankfulness for Christ, what admiration of Christ, what cleaving to Christ, what exalting of Christ, are saints led to, by their very falls!
It is the glory of God's holiness, that He can turn spiritual diseases into holy remedies! He can prevent sin by sin, and cure falling by falling!
O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you, what though enemies are plotting against you, what though needs are breaking in upon you, what though men rage, and devils roar against you, what though death stands every day at your elbow - yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because all these things shall work for your good! Yes, there is wonderful cause of joy and rejoicing in all the afflictions and tribulations which come upon you - considering that they shall all work for your good.
O Christian! I am afraid, I am afraid - that you do not run so often as you should to the breasts of this promise, nor draw that sweetness and comfort from it, that it would yield, and that your several cases may require. "We know that God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I have been the longer upon this verse, because the conditions of God's people calls for the strongest cordials, and the choicest and the sweetest comforts.
~Thomas Brooks~
Sunday, May 3, 2020
The Best of Saints Are Sinners
The Best of Saints Are Sinners
A child of God may slip into a sin - as a sheep may slip into the mire. But he does not, and cannot wallow in sin - as the swine wallows in the mire.
The best of saints are sinners, though the worst and weakest of saints do not indulge sin or cherish it; or make daily provision for it; or take daily pleasure and delight in sin; or habitually yield a willing and total subjection to the authority and commands of sin.
There is much difference between sin in a regenerate person - and sin in an unregenerate person, as there is between poison in a man - and poison in a serpent. Poison in a man is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all remedies and antidotes to expel it and get rid of it. But poison in a serpent, is in its natural place, and is most pleasing and delightful.
Just so, sin in a regenerate man is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all holy means and antidotes to expel it and to get rid of it. But sin in an unregenerate man is most pleasing and delightful, it being in its natural place.
A godly man may have many sins - yet he has not one beloved sin, one bosom sin, one darling sin. His sins are his greatest grief and torment!
Every godly man hates all known sin, would sincerely have his sins not only pardoned, but destroyed, groans under the burden of sin, combats and conflicts with all known sin, has fixed purposes and designs not to sin, has a sincere willingness to be rid of all sin.
No sincere Christian indulges himself in any trade, course, or way of sin. "Oh," says the gracious soul, "that I could be rid of this proud heart, this hard heart, this unbelieving heart, this unclean heart, this earthly heart, this froward heat of mine!"
O sirs, this is most certain - whoever gives up himself freely, willingly, cheerfully, habitually - to the service of any one particular lust or sin - he is in the state of nature, under wrath, and in the way to eternal ruin!
~Thomas Brooks~
A child of God may slip into a sin - as a sheep may slip into the mire. But he does not, and cannot wallow in sin - as the swine wallows in the mire.
The best of saints are sinners, though the worst and weakest of saints do not indulge sin or cherish it; or make daily provision for it; or take daily pleasure and delight in sin; or habitually yield a willing and total subjection to the authority and commands of sin.
There is much difference between sin in a regenerate person - and sin in an unregenerate person, as there is between poison in a man - and poison in a serpent. Poison in a man is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all remedies and antidotes to expel it and get rid of it. But poison in a serpent, is in its natural place, and is most pleasing and delightful.
Just so, sin in a regenerate man is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all holy means and antidotes to expel it and to get rid of it. But sin in an unregenerate man is most pleasing and delightful, it being in its natural place.
A godly man may have many sins - yet he has not one beloved sin, one bosom sin, one darling sin. His sins are his greatest grief and torment!
Every godly man hates all known sin, would sincerely have his sins not only pardoned, but destroyed, groans under the burden of sin, combats and conflicts with all known sin, has fixed purposes and designs not to sin, has a sincere willingness to be rid of all sin.
No sincere Christian indulges himself in any trade, course, or way of sin. "Oh," says the gracious soul, "that I could be rid of this proud heart, this hard heart, this unbelieving heart, this unclean heart, this earthly heart, this froward heat of mine!"
O sirs, this is most certain - whoever gives up himself freely, willingly, cheerfully, habitually - to the service of any one particular lust or sin - he is in the state of nature, under wrath, and in the way to eternal ruin!
~Thomas Brooks~
Friday, May 1, 2020
Get Out of My Sight!
Get Out of My Sight!
Many today say that there is no hell. Multitudes think that all that is spoken of hell in Scripture is false and mythical. They will not believe that there is a hell - until they come to feel themselves in hell, until they find everlasting flames about their ears, until they are sentenced to the fire, until they are doomed to everlasting fire!
The last words of Christ will ever speak to the ungodly will be the most tormenting and horrifying, the most killing and damning, the most stinging and wounding! "Then He will also say to those on the left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons!" (Matthew 25:41).
This terrible sentence breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone, terror and horror, dread and woe!
"Depart from Me!" Here is utter rejection: "Pack! Be gone! Get out of My sight! Let Me never see your face again!"
"You who are cursed!" Here is malediction. You shall be cursed in your bodies and cursed in your souls! You shall be cursed of God, and cursed of angels, and cursed of saints, and cursed of devils, and cursed of your companions! Yes, you shall curse your very selves, your very souls. All your former cursed, all your maledictions - shall at last recoil upon your own souls!
"Depart into the eternal fire!" There is the vengeance and everlasting continuance of it. You shall go into fire, into everlasting fire, which will neither consume itself, nor consume you! Eternity of extreme punishment is the hell of hells. Ah, how sad, how dreadful would it be to experience what it is to lie in unquenchable fire - not for a day, a month, a year, or a hundred, or a thousand years - but forever and ever!
Wronged justice can never be satisfied, and therefore the sinner must be forever tormented. The sinner in hell will sin forever, and therefore he must be punished forever. It will not stand with the unspotted justice and righteousness of God to cease punishing - while the sinner ceases not sinning.
"But, Lord, if I must go into fire, into everlasting fire - then oh, let me hae some good company in my misery!"
"No! The devil and his demons shall be your companions!" Ah, who can conceive or express the misery of living with devils and damned spirits and hellish fiends and furies forever!
"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
~Thomas Brooks~
Many today say that there is no hell. Multitudes think that all that is spoken of hell in Scripture is false and mythical. They will not believe that there is a hell - until they come to feel themselves in hell, until they find everlasting flames about their ears, until they are sentenced to the fire, until they are doomed to everlasting fire!
The last words of Christ will ever speak to the ungodly will be the most tormenting and horrifying, the most killing and damning, the most stinging and wounding! "Then He will also say to those on the left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons!" (Matthew 25:41).
This terrible sentence breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone, terror and horror, dread and woe!
"Depart from Me!" Here is utter rejection: "Pack! Be gone! Get out of My sight! Let Me never see your face again!"
"You who are cursed!" Here is malediction. You shall be cursed in your bodies and cursed in your souls! You shall be cursed of God, and cursed of angels, and cursed of saints, and cursed of devils, and cursed of your companions! Yes, you shall curse your very selves, your very souls. All your former cursed, all your maledictions - shall at last recoil upon your own souls!
"Depart into the eternal fire!" There is the vengeance and everlasting continuance of it. You shall go into fire, into everlasting fire, which will neither consume itself, nor consume you! Eternity of extreme punishment is the hell of hells. Ah, how sad, how dreadful would it be to experience what it is to lie in unquenchable fire - not for a day, a month, a year, or a hundred, or a thousand years - but forever and ever!
Wronged justice can never be satisfied, and therefore the sinner must be forever tormented. The sinner in hell will sin forever, and therefore he must be punished forever. It will not stand with the unspotted justice and righteousness of God to cease punishing - while the sinner ceases not sinning.
"But, Lord, if I must go into fire, into everlasting fire - then oh, let me hae some good company in my misery!"
"No! The devil and his demons shall be your companions!" Ah, who can conceive or express the misery of living with devils and damned spirits and hellish fiends and furies forever!
"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
~Thomas Brooks~
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