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  THE HYPOCRITE'S ONLY CARE
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A sincere Christian's main concern is to keep their heart
clean, understanding that a pure heart leads to a pure life.

Topics: "Sincerity in Faith", "Heart Purity"
Scripture References: Matthew 23:25

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between hypocrites and sincere
Christians, noting that while hypocrites focus on outward appearances,
sincere Christians prioritize the purity of their hearts. He illustrates
that a clean heart leads to a clean life, as the heart is the source of
all actions. Brooks expresses the sincere Christian's longing for a
heart that is enlightened, humble, holy, and zealous for God,
contrasting this with the superficiality of hypocrisy. The sermon calls
for introspection and a deeper commitment to spiritual integrity rather
than mere external compliance.

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CONTENT
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The hypocrite's only care is to keep his outward life

from defilement. But the sincere Christian's care is mainly

to keep his heart from defilement; for he very well knows,

that if he can but keep his heart clean--he shall with more

ease keep his life clean. If the fountain is kept pure--the

streams will run pure. The heart is the spring of all actions,

and therefore every action is as the spring is, from whence

it flows; if the spring is good--the action is good which flows

from it; if the spring is evil, the action is evil which flows

from it.

Hypocrites are all for the outside; they wash the platters

and the cups, and beautify the tombs--like an adulteress

whose care is to paint a fair face upon a foul heart.

But a sincere Christian, though he has a great concern for

the well-ordering of his outward life--yet his main business

and work is about his heart--

"Oh that this ignorant heart were but more enlightened!

Oh that this proud heart were but more humble!

Oh that this profane heart were but more holy!

Oh that this earthly heart were but more heavenly!

Oh that this unbelieving heart were but more believing!

Oh that this passionate heart were but more meek!

Oh that this carnal heart were but more spiritual!

Oh that this vain heart were but more serious!

Oh that this dull heart were but more quickened!

Oh that this dead heart were but more enlivened!

Oh that this lukewarm heart were but more zealous

for God, and Christ, and the gospel, and the great

concerns of eternity!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/the-hypocrites-only-care/
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