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  SPIRITUAL VOMIT
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: True confession of sin requires a genuine desire to forsake sin
and a resolve to change one's behavior in order to experience the mercy
and forgiveness of God.

Topics: "Confession", "Repentance"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 28:13, Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 3:8, Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:10, James 4:7-8, 1 John 1:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of true penitential confession,
which must be accompanied by a genuine desire to reform and forsake sin.
He asserts that mere confession without the intention to abandon sin is
futile, as God requires both elements for forgiveness. Brooks likens
confession to a spiritual vomit, where one must earnestly wish to rid
themselves of the burden of sin, just as a sick person desires relief
from their discomfort. He stresses that true confession involves a
heartfelt commitment to not repeat the sins confessed, highlighting the
importance of both confession and reformation in the believer's life.

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CONTENT
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"He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever

confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13

True penitential confession is joined with reformation. That

confession of sin which carries forgiveness of sin with it, is

attended with serious desires, and earnest endeavors of

reformation. Confession of sin must be joined with forsaking

of sin--or all is lost. God will never cross the book, He will

never draw the red lines of Christ's blood over the black lines

of our transgressions--unless confessing and forsaking of sin,

goes hand in hand. He who does not forsake his sin, as well

as confess it, forsakes the benefit of his confession.

Indeed, there is no real confession of sin, where there is no

real forsaking of sin. It is not enough for us to confess the

sins we have committed--but we must peremptorily resolve

against the committing again the sins we have confessed.

We must desire as freely to forego our sins, as we do desire

God to forgive us our sins.

Confession of sin is a spiritual vomit. Now you know, a man

who is sick in his stomach, is heartily willing to be rid of that

load on his stomach; and so a man who is real in his confession

of sin, is as heartily willing to be rid of his sin, that lies as a

load upon his conscience, as any sick man can be heartily

willing to be rid of that load that lies upon his stomach.

The penitential confessor does as heartily desire to be delivered

from the power of his sins--as he does desire to be delivered

from the sting and punishment of his sins.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/spiritual-vomit/
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