Fuel to Your Lusts, and Quenchers of Your Graces
God's providences and trials are designed to prevent sin and preserve the saints from spiritual decay, and it is a greater mercy to be preserved from sin than to enjoy the whole world.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that severe providences and fiery trials are divinely designed to prevent sin and preserve the soul from spiritual decay. He illustrates how wealth can lead to significant temptations and spiritual lethargy, citing biblical figures like David and Solomon who fell into sin during times of abundance. Brooks encourages believers to recognize that the removal of worldly distractions is a mercy that helps maintain their spiritual health. He urges the faithful to seek sanctification through trials, aiming for the mortification of sins and a deeper communion with God. Ultimately, he asserts that being preserved from even the smallest sin is a greater blessing than worldly riches.
Text
By severe providences and fiery trials--God designs
the preventing of sin. Prudent physicians sometimes
give harsh medicines to prevent diseases; and so
does the Physician of souls. Sharp trials preserve
the saints from spiritual putrefying, and from
spiritual rotting.
Wealth lays men most open to . . .
the greatest sins,
the worst of snares, and
the deadliest temptations.
The best of men have fallen the foulest--under their
highest worldly enjoyments. Witness David, Solomon,
Hezekiah, etc. Under your outward fullness . . .
how low was your communion with God!
how languishing were your graces!
how lean were your souls!
how little God had of . . .
your thoughts,
your hearts,
your time,
your strength!
O sirs! how bad would you have been by this time,
if God had not removed those things, which were
but fuel to your lusts, and quenchers of your
graces! Well, often think of this: it is a greater
mercy to be preserved from sin, yes, from the
least sin--than it is to enjoy the whole world!
"Lord, let this fiery trial be so sanctified to
me, as that it may eminently issue in . . .
the mortifying of my sins,
the increase of my graces,
the mending of my affections,
the reforming of my life,
the weaning of my soul from everything below You,
and the fixing of my heart upon eternal realities!"
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Providences and Trials
- 'A. Purpose: to prevent sin'
- 'B. Method: using harsh medicines'
- II. Wealth and Spiritual Danger
- A. Wealth lays men open to sin
- 'B. Examples: David, Solomon, Hezekiah'
- III. The Importance of Spiritual Communion
- A. Communion with God is essential
- B. Outward fullness can lead to spiritual decay
- IV. The Mercy of Preservation
- A. Being preserved from sin is greater than enjoying the world
- V. Sanctifying Trials
- A. Trials can be sanctified for spiritual growth
- 'B. Prayer: mortifying sin, increasing graces, etc.'
Key Quotes
“Sharp trials preserve the saints from spiritual putrefying, and from spiritual rotting.” — Thomas Brooks
“O sirs! how bad would you have been by this time, if God had not removed those things, which were but fuel to your lusts, and quenchers of your graces!” — Thomas Brooks
“Lord, let this fiery trial be so sanctified to me, as that it may eminently issue in the mortifying of my sins, the increase of my graces, the mending of my affections, the reforming of my life, the weaning of my soul from everything below You, and the fixing of my heart upon eternal realities!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the potential for spiritual decay in times of outward fullness and wealth.
- Seek to mortify sin and increase spiritual graces through prayer and devotion.
- Pray for the sanctification of trials, that they may lead to spiritual growth and reform.