Crocodile Sinners
Sinners would continue to sin forever if given the chance, and God's righteousness demands punishment.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that unbelievers remain entrenched in their sins until death intervenes, using the analogy of a candle that, once extinguished, forces players to stop their game. He illustrates that if sinners were allowed to live indefinitely, they would continue to sin without restraint, growing increasingly monstrous in their behavior. Brooks likens habitual sinners to crocodiles, which grow larger without limit, highlighting the perpetual nature of sin without divine intervention. The sermon underscores the righteousness of God's judgment against unrepentant sinners, who would otherwise sin eternally.
Text
The unbeliever never leaves his sin till sin first leaves him.
Did not death put a stop to his sin--he would never
cease from sin.
This may be illustrated by a similitude thus--
a company of gamesters resolve to play all night; their candle,
accidentally or unexpectedly, goes out, or is put out, or burns out.
Their candle being out, they are forced to give over their game,
and go to bed in the dark. But had the candle lasted all night,
they would have played all night.
This is every sinner's case in regard of sin--did not death
put out the candle of life, the sinner would sin still.
Should the sinner live forever, he would sin forever;
and, therefore, it is a righteous thing with God to
punish him forever in hellish torments.
Every impenitent sinner would sin to the days of eternity,
if he might live to the days of eternity.
I have read of the crocodile, that he knows no maximum size,
he is always growing bigger and bigger, and never comes to a
certain pitch of monstrosity so long as he lives.
Likewise, every habituated sinner would, if he were let alone,
be a monster, perpetually growing worse and worse.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Sinners
- An Illustration of Sinners
- The Consequences of Sin
- The Growth of Sin
- The crocodile as a symbol of sinners
- Habituated sinners would continue to grow worse
Key Quotes
“The unbeliever never leaves his sin till sin first leaves him.” — Thomas Brooks
“Should the sinner live forever, he would sin forever;” — Thomas Brooks
“Every habituated sinner would, if he were let alone, be a monster, perpetually growing worse and worse.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the true nature of sinners and the consequences of their actions.
- Understand that sinners would continue to grow worse without intervention.
- Acknowledge God's righteousness in punishing sinners forever.