Sin So Bewitches The Soul, That It Makes… by Thomas Brooks (1608 – 1680)

Sin so bewitches the soul, that it makes the soul call . . .

•   evil good, and good evil;
•   bittersweet, and sweet bitter;
•   light darkness, and darkness light.

Ah, souls! When you shall lie upon a dying bed, and stand before a judgment-seat sin shall be unmasked, and its dress and robes shall then be taken off! Then it shall appear more vile, filthy, and terrible than Hell itself!

Then that which formerly appeared most . . .

•   sweet, will appear most bitter,
•   beautiful, will appear most ugly,
•   delightful, will then appear most dreadful to the soul!

“Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of Me,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.” Jeremiah 2:19

Thomas Brooks

Brooks was an English non-conformist Puritan preacher and author. He was born in 1608 to well-to-do parents and was college-educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge)  He served at a fleet chaplain and was licensed as a preacher around 1640.  Sometime after the First English Civil War (ended 1646), Brooks became the minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in London, and on December 26, 1648, he preached before the House of Commons from the text of Psalm 44:18 (Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy way.).  Around 1651-1652, Brooks was sent to St. Margaret’s Church in London. Brooks died in 1680.  C. H. Spurgeon said of him: “Brooks scatters stars with both hands, with an eagle eye of faith as well as the eagle eye of imagination.”

Words of Wisdom from the Cloud of Witnesses:  The Cloud of Witnesses is a reference to those in Heaven who have run their races and are now with the Lord. Their words of wisdom are filled with faith, hope, love, and joy to warm our souls, and the eternal truths of God to grow us and give us joy. Their words strengthen our souls, equip our minds, encourage our hearts, and empower us to stand firm in our faith and be motivated, ready, and willing to share the hope we have in Jesus.

 Hebrews 12:1-2  Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith...