So Foul a Hag
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of spiritual deception and the necessity of discernment in the pursuit of truth.
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of false teachings and corrupt influences that seek to deceive and lead individuals away from God. He emphasizes that many individuals take pride in leading others into error, which can ultimately result in spiritual destruction. Brooks likens these errors to poison, often presented attractively, making them more dangerous. He urges young men to be vigilant and discerning, as the allure of falsehood can lead to ruin, much like Jezebel's deceptive beauty. The sermon serves as a call to seek truth and guard one's heart against such corrupting influences.
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There are very many who lie in wait to deceive, corrupt, and
poison your minds with God-dishonoring, Christ-denying,
conscience-wasting, and soul-damning opinions, principles,
and blasphemies.
I have read of one who boasted and gloried in this, that he
had spent thirty years in corrupting and poisoning of youth.
Doubtless, many wretches, many monsters there are among
us, who make it their business, their glory, their all--to delude
and draw people to those dangerous errors and blasphemies
which lead to destruction. Error and folly, says one very well,
are the knots of Satan wherewith he ties children to the stake
to be burned in hell.
There is a truth in what the tragedian said long since, "poison
is commonly drunk out of a cup of gold." So is an error soonest
taken into the judgment and conscience, from people of the
fairest carriage and smoothest conversations.
Error is so foul a hag, that if it should come in its own
shape, a man would loathe it, and fly from it as from hell.
If Jezebel had not painted her face, she would not have
gotten so many young doating adulterers to have followed
her to their own ruin.
Ah! young men, young men--the blessing of the Lord
upon your serious and diligent perusal of this treatise
may be a happy means to preserve you from being
ensnared and deluded by those monsters "who
compass sea and land to make proselytes for hell!"
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The dangers of deception in spiritual matters - The role of corrupt influences in society - The consequences of following false teachings
- II points: - The nature of error and its appeal - The deceptive beauty of falsehood - The importance of discernment
- III points: - Historical examples of deception - The impact of Jezebel's influence - Lessons for young men today
- IV points: - The urgency of seeking truth - The responsibility of believers to guard their hearts - The call to action against spiritual corruption
Key Quotes
“Error is so foul a hag, that if it should come in its own shape, a man would loathe it, and fly from it as from hell.” — Thomas Brooks
“Poison is commonly drunk out of a cup of gold.” — Thomas Brooks
“Ah! young men, young men--the blessing of the Lord upon your serious and diligent perusal of this treatise may be a happy means to preserve you from being ensnared.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Be vigilant in your spiritual journey to recognize and reject false teachings.
- Engage in regular study of Scripture to strengthen your understanding of truth.
- Encourage others, especially young people, to seek wisdom and avoid the snares of deception.