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  THE BAITS WHICH THESE MEN BITE AT
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A holy heart perseveres through divine love, the Spirit of God,
and a high aim to glorify God, while those with a show of godliness are
driven by profit and applause.

Topics: "Perseverance in Faith", "True vs. False Godliness"
Scripture References: Romans 5:5, Galatians 5:22

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of a holy heart that perseveres
in faith despite external challenges. He identifies three key elements
that support this perseverance: divine love as a powerful principle, the
Spirit of God as a mighty aid, and the glory of God as a high aim. In
contrast, those who only display a facade of godliness are easily swayed
by the loss of worldly encouragements and are quick to abandon their
faith when they cannot gain from it. Brooks warns that such individuals
are like Demas, who forsook his faith for worldly gain, highlighting the
dangers of seeking profit and applause over true devotion.

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CONTENT
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There are three things in a holy heart, which strongly

incline it to persevere when all outward encouragements fail.

The first is a forcible principle--divine love.

The second is a mighty aid--the Spirit of God.

The third is a high aim--the glory of God.

But it is otherwise with those who have only a show of godliness.

Let but their outward encouragements fail them; let but the eye,

the ear, the applause of the creature fail them; if they cannot

make some gain of their godliness, some profit of their profession,

some advantage of their religion--they are ready, with Demas, to

throw off all! Profit and applause are usually the baits which

these men bite at; and if they miss these baits--then farewell

profession, farewell religion, farewell all!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/the-baits-which-these-men-bite-at/
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