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  THE COCKATRICE MUST BE CRUSHED
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Thomas Brooks emphasizes the danger of sin and the importance
of crushing it in its early stages to prevent its growth and lead to
damnation.

Topics: "Sin", "Temptation"
Scripture References: Matthew 5:28, Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:19, James 1:15

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the dangerous progression of sin, illustrating
how lust, when entertained, leads to sin's conception, birth, growth,
and ultimately, damnation. He warns that even the mere thought of sin
can lead to actions, which become habits, resulting in the eternal loss
of both body and soul. Brooks uses the metaphor of the cockatrice,
urging that sin must be dealt with at its inception to prevent it from
growing into something far more destructive. The sermon serves as a
stark reminder of the need for vigilance against sinful thoughts and
actions.

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CONTENT
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"Lust having conceived, brings forth sin." James 1:15

First, sin has its conception--which is its delight;

and then sin has its birth--which is its action;

and then sin has its growth--which is its custom;

and then sin has its end--which is its damnation!

The very thought of sin, if but meditated on,

will break forth into action; action into custom;

custom into habit; and then both body and soul

are irrecoverably lost to all eternity!

If the subtle Serpent can but wriggle in his tail

by a sinful thought, he will soon get in his head

by a worse action!

The cockatrice must be crushed in the egg,

else it will soon become a serpent!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/the-cockatrice-must-be-crushed/
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