Horrid Hypocrisy, Damnable Folly, and Astonishing Impudency!
True repentance is necessary for God's mercy and forgiveness, and one must be willing to forsake all sin to receive pardon.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the critical nature of true repentance in his sermon 'Horrid Hypocrisy, Damnable Folly, and Astonishing Impudency!' He argues that one cannot genuinely seek forgiveness for sins while simultaneously clinging to them, as this reflects a deep hypocrisy and folly. Brooks illustrates that true penitence requires a willingness to forsake all known sins, as the desire for pardon must be matched by the intent to turn away from wrongdoing. He warns that those who ask for forgiveness while planning to continue in sin will find no mercy, equating their situation to that of a traitor seeking pardon while remaining treasonous. Ultimately, he concludes that true forgiveness is reserved for those who earnestly repent and are committed to abandoning their sins.
Text
"He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever
confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13
The true penitent would have God to forgive him, not only
some of his sins--but all his sins; and therefore it is but just
and equal that he should turn from all his sins. The plaster
must be as broad as the sore. It argues horrid hypocrisy,
damnable folly, and astonishing impudency--for a man
to beg the pardon for those very sins that he is resolved
never to forsake! Look! He who has not repented of all known
sin, he has not yet sincerely repented of any known sin, nor
as yet experienced the sweetness of forgiveness of sin.
Of all fools, there is none compared to him who is importunate
with God to forgive those sins which he is resolved beforehand
to commit! What prince, in his wits, will pardon the treasons of
a person who is resolved to continue a traitor? Or what judge
will forgive thievery of a person who is decidedly determined
to continue as a thief? Such as continue in the practice of those
very sins, which they beg God to pardon--shall certainly go
without their pardon!
Pardon of sin is for that man, and that man is for pardon of
sin--who is as truly willing to forsake his sins as he is to receive
the pardon of his sins. Who would not look upon that man as a
madman--who would earnestly beg his pardon, and yet continue
to steal purses, and murder people before the eyes of the judge?
The pardoned soul is the repenting soul--and the repenting
soul is the pardoned soul! He who begs pardon of sin--yet is
resolved not to turn from sin--shall find no more pardon than
devils or damned spirits do! Look! as one sin unforgiven will
as certainly undo a man as a thousand--just so, one sin
unforsaken will us certainly undo and damn a man as a
thousand! The true penitent is as willing to turn from all
his sins--as he is willing that God should pardon all his sins!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Necessity of True Repentance
- A. Confessing and forsaking sins is necessary for mercy
- B. The plaster must be as broad as the sore
- II. The Hypocrisy of Begging Pardon for Unrepented Sins
- A. Importunate prayer for pardon without forsaking sin is foolish
- B. God will not pardon those who continue in sin
- III. The Condition for Pardon
- A. True willingness to forsake sin is necessary for pardon
- B. The pardoned soul is the repenting soul
Key Quotes
“He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” — Thomas Brooks
“The plaster must be as broad as the sore.” — Thomas Brooks
“The pardoned soul is the repenting soul--and the repenting soul is the pardoned soul!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- True repentance requires a willingness to forsake all sin, not just some sins.
- God will not pardon those who continue in sin, no matter how hard they pray.
- The pardoned soul is the repenting soul, and true repentance is necessary for forgiveness.