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  AN EPITOME OF ALL VANITY
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes that every man, even at his best state,
is completely empty and lacking in true value and worth due to Adam's
fall.

Topics: "The Fall of Man", "Human Vanity"
Scripture References: Psalm 39:5, Ecclesiastes 1:2, Isaiah 40:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound truth that every man, at his best
state, is ultimately vanity, as stated in Psalms 39:5. He reflects on
the fall of Adam, illustrating how humanity has devolved from its
original glory to a state of emptiness and insignificance, likening man
to dust, a shadow, and a comprehensive vanity. Brooks argues that
despite any earthly honors or comforts, all are rendered meaningless in
light of man's fallen nature. He poignantly describes the tragic
transformation of man from the image of God to a burden to himself and
heaven. The sermon serves as a sobering reminder of the need for
redemption and the futility of relying on worldly achievements.

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CONTENT
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"Truly, every man at his best state is altogether vanity."

Psalm 39:5

By Adam's fall, man has become a pile of dust, a puff of

wind; a dream; a shadow; a puff of smoke; a poor silly flea,

a worm, a debased soul, a curious nothing. Yes, man having

fallen from his primitive glory, has become altogether vanity,

says the prophet in Psalm 39:5, "Truly, every man at his best

state is altogether vanity." Truly, every man--not some man,

but every man at his best state, when he is in the height and

perfection of all creature comforts and contentments, is

altogether, not in some measure--but altogether, vanity--all

vanity. Since the fall of Adam every natural man in his best

estate is vanity; nay, every man is every vanity. Imagine

whatever vanity you will--fallen man is that. He is a

comprehensive vanity--he is an epitome of all vanity.

Man in honor, before his fall, was the best of creatures; but

since his fall, he has become the worst of creatures. By his

fall he is fallen below the very beasts which perish. He who

was once the image of God, the glory of paradise, the world's

ruler, and the Lord's darling--has now become a burden to

heaven, a burden to himself.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/an-epitome-of-all-vanity/
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