If This Cockatrice Be Not Crushed in the Egg!
The sermon emphasizes the dangers of sin and its consequences, warning that even the smallest sin can lead to eternal separation from God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the grave danger of even the smallest sin, arguing that it holds more evil than the greatest afflictions or torments. He warns that if sin is not dealt with at its inception, it can grow and lead to irreparable harm to both body and soul. Brooks illustrates this with various analogies, showing how minor issues can lead to catastrophic consequences, much like a small leak can sink a great ship. He stresses the importance of recognizing and crushing sin before it manifests into deeper habits and actions. Ultimately, he calls for vigilance against sin, as it can lead to eternal separation from God.
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There is infinitely more evil in the least sin--than
there is in the greatest miseries and afflictions that
can possibly come upon you! Yes, there is more evil
in the least sin--than there is in all the troubles that
ever come upon the world; yes, than there is in all
the miseries and torments of hell! The least sin . . .
is an offense to the great God;
is a wrong to the immortal soul;
is a breach of God's righteous law;
cannot be washed away but by the blood of Jesus;
will shut the soul out of heaven, and
shut the soul up as a prisoner in hell forever and ever!
The least sin is rather to be avoided and prevented--
than the greatest sufferings. If this cockatrice be
not crushed in the egg--it will soon become a serpent!
Sin, if but thought on and pondered--
will break out into action--
action into custom--
custom into habit--and then
both body and soul are lost irrecoverably to all eternity!
The least sin is very dangerous!
Caesar was stabbed to death with a small needle;
Herod was eaten up by small worms;
Pope Adrian was choked with a gnat;
a mouse is but little, yet kills an elephant if he gets up into his trunk;
a scorpion is little, yet able to sting a lion to death;
though the leopard be great, yet he is poisoned with a head of garlic;
the least spark may consume the greatest house;
the least leak will sink the greatest ship;
a whole arm has been gangrened by a pick of the little finger;
a little opened door may betray the greatest city;
a pinch of poison diffuses itself into all parts, until it strangles
the vital spirits, and turns out the soul from the body.
If the serpent can but wriggle in his tail by an evil
thought, he will soon make a surprise of the soul--as you
see in that sad instance of Adam and Eve.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of Sin
- A. Sin is an offense to God
- B. Sin is a wrong to the soul
- C. Sin cannot be washed away without the blood of Jesus
- II. The Progress of Sin
- A. Sin begins with thought and pondering
- B. Thought leads to action, action to custom, custom to habit
- C. Habit leads to the loss of soul and body to eternity
- III. The Consequences of Sin
- A. Sin can lead to great suffering and death
- B. Sin can be compared to a small spark that consumes a great house
- C. Sin can be compared to a small leak that sinks a great ship
Key Quotes
“There is infinitely more evil in the least sin--than there is in the greatest miseries and afflictions that can possibly come upon you!” — Thomas Brooks
“If this cockatrice be not crushed in the egg--it will soon become a serpent!” — Thomas Brooks
“Sin, if but thought on and pondered--will break out into action--action into custom--custom into habit--and then both body and soul are lost irrecoverably to all eternity!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the dangers of sin and its potential to lead to eternal separation from God.
- Take immediate action to crush sin in its early stages, before it becomes a habit.
- Seek the blood of Jesus to wash away the guilt and consequences of sin.