"I hate every false way." Psalm 119:104. The Hebrew
signifies to hate with a deadly and irreconcilable hatred.
A Christian conflicts against sin universally—the least
as well as the greatest; the most profitable and the most
pleasing sin, as well as against those which are less pleasing
and profitable. He will combat with all sin, though he cannot
conquer one as he should, and as he desires. He knows that
all sin strikes at God's holiness, as well as his own happiness;
at God's glory, as well as at his soul's comfort and peace.
The Christian knows that all sin is hateful to God, and
that all sinners are traitors to the crown and dignity of
the Lord Jesus. He looks upon one sin, and sees that
which threw down Noah, the most righteous man in
the world; and he looks upon another sin, and sees that
which cast down Abraham, the greatest believer in the
world; and he looks upon another sin, and sees that
which threw down David, the best king in the world.
He sees that one sin threw down Samson, the strongest
man in the world; another cast down Solomon, the
wisest man in the world; and another Moses, the
meekest man in the world; and another sin cast down
Job, the most patient man in the world. This raises
a holy indignation against all sin, so that nothing can
satisfy and content his soul, but a destruction of all
those lusts and vermin which vex and rack his
righteous soul.
It will not suffice a gracious soul to see justice done
upon one sin—but he cries out for justice upon all.
He would not have some crucified and others spared;
but cries out, "Lord, crucify them all, crucify them all!
Though there is no one sin mortified and subdued in
me, as it should be, and as I would desire; yet every
sin is hated and loathed by me."
Oh! but the conflict which is in wicked men is partial.
They frown upon one sin and smile upon another; they
strike at some sins yet stroke others; they thrust some
out of doors but keep others close in their bosoms; as
you may see in Jehu, Herod, Judas, Simon Magus, and
Demas. Wicked men strike at gross sins, such as are
against the laws of society—but make nothing of lesser
sins; as vain thoughts and idle words. They fight against
those sins which fight against their honor, profits, and
pleasures; but make truce with those which are as dear
as right hands and as right eyes to them.
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Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680)
Much of what is known about Thomas Brooks has been ascertained from his writings. Born, likely to well-to-do parents, in 1608, Brooks entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1625, where he was preceded by such men as Thomas Hooker, John Cotton, and Thomas Shepard. He was licensed as a preacher of the Gospel by 1640. Before that date, he appears to have spent a number of years at sea, probably as a chaplain with the fleet.After the conclusion of the First English Civil War, Thomas Brooks became minister at Thomas Apostle's, London, and was sufficiently renowned to be chosen as preacher before the House of Commons on December 26, 1648. His sermon was afterwards published under the title, 'God's Delight in the Progress of the Upright', the text being Psalm 44:18: 'Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy way'. Three or four years afterwards, he transferred to St. Margaret's, Fish-street Hill, London. In 1662, he fell victim to the notorious Act of Uniformity, but he appears to have remained in his parish and to have preached as opportunity arose. Treatises continued to flow from his pen.[3]
Thomas Brooks was a nonconformist preacher. Born into a Puritan family, he was sent to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He soon became an advocate of the Congregational way and served as a chaplain in the Civil War. In 1648 he accepted the rectory of St. Margaret's, New Fish Street, London, but only after making his Congregational principles clear to the vestry.
On several occasions he preached before Parliament. He was ejected in 1660 and remained in London as a Nonconformist preacher. Government spies reported that he preached at Tower Wharf and in Moorfields. During the Great Plague and Great Fire he worked in London, and in 1672 was granted a license to preach in Lime Street. He wrote over a dozen books, most of which are devotional in character. He was buried in Bunhill Fields.