Pambus Wept When He Saw a Harlot
Christians should be ashamed of their lack of effort in obtaining eternal things and should labor to get more of Christ into their hearts.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the stark contrast between the efforts of worldly individuals striving for fleeting pleasures and the lack of diligence among Christians in pursuing spiritual treasures. He reflects on Pambus, who wept upon witnessing a harlot's meticulous efforts to please her lovers, prompting a call for Christians to be equally zealous in seeking to please God. Brooks urges believers to recognize the futility of worldly pursuits and to labor earnestly for eternal rewards, highlighting the joy and crown that await those who seek Christ. The sermon serves as a poignant reminder of the need for Christians to reflect on their priorities and the seriousness of their spiritual endeavors.
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What labor and pains worldlings take to obtain the vain
things of this life--to obtain the poor things of this world,
which are but shadows and dreams, and mere nothings!
Oh! how should this stir and provoke Christians to be up
and doing, to labor as for life--to make sure of spiritual
and eternal things! Is earth better than heaven? No! Oh
then be ashamed, Christians, that worldlings are more
studious and industrious to obtain pebbles, than you
are to obtain pearls! They labor to obtain those things
which at last will be their burden, their bane, their plague,
their hell. You are to labor to obtain those things which will
be your joy and crown in life, in death, and in the day of
judgment.
Pambus wept when he saw a harlot dressed with much
care and cost--partly to see one take so much pains to go to
hell; and partly because he had not been so careful to please
God, as she had been to please her sluttish lovers.
Ah, Christians! what great reason have you to sit down and
weep bitterly--that worldlings take so much pains to make
themselves miserable--and that you have taken no more
pains to get more of Christ into your hearts!
Sermon Outline
- The Labor and Pains of Worldlings
- The Shame of Christians
- The Contrast Between Worldlings and Christians
- Worldlings labor for things that will be their burden
- Christians should labor for things that will be their joy
- Christians should be ashamed of their lack of effort
Key Quotes
“Is earth better than heaven? No!” — Thomas Brooks
“They labor to obtain those things which at last will be their burden, their bane, their plague, their hell.” — Thomas Brooks
“Ah, Christians! what great reason have you to sit down and weep bitterly--that worldlings take so much pains to make themselves miserable--and that you have taken no more pains to get more of Christ into your hearts!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Christians should be more studious and industrious in laboring to obtain eternal things.
- They should be ashamed of their lack of effort in pleasing God.
- They should take pains to get more of Christ into their hearts.