========================================================================
  SIN AND THEY WOULD NEVER PART
  by Thomas Brooks
========================================================================

Summary: A person's willingness to turn to God is often motivated by
self-love and fear of punishment, rather than a genuine desire to follow
God.

Topics: "Repentance", "True Freedom from Sin"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 28:13, Matthew 5:29-30, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:24, Ephesians 4:22-24, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:15, 1 John 1:9

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that carnal men often seek to abandon their
sins only in times of crisis, such as sickness or the fear of death, not
out of a true hatred for their sins but rather from a selfish desire to
escape punishment. He argues that if they could enjoy their sinful
pleasures without consequence, they would cling to them without
hesitation. The sermon highlights the distinction between a desire to
avoid the effects of sin and a genuine desire to be free from sin
itself, illustrating the need for true repentance and transformation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carnal men, in times of sickness and distress, or in times

of horror and terror of conscience, or when death, the king

of terrors, knocks at their doors, or when they see hell

gaping to devour them, and God as a solemn judge standing

ready to pass an eternal doom upon them--only then they

are willing to cast overboard their pleasures, their drunkenness,

their swearing, their cursing, their lying, their flesh-pleasing,

etc. But not out of any hatred to their lusts--but out of love

to themselves, and out of fear of being damned, etc.; for

could they but enjoy their sins and heaven too--sin and

they would never part.

A graceless heart is more abundantly willing to be freed from

punishment--the effect of sin; than it is willing to be freed

from sin--the cause of punishment.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/sin-and-they-would-never-part/
========================================================================