The cockatrice must be crushed

(Thomas Brooks, "The Privy Key of Heaven" 1665)

"Lust having conceived, brings forth sin." James 1:15

First, sin has its conception--which is its delight;
and then sin has its birth--which is its action;
and then sin has its growth--which is its custom;
and then sin has its end--which is its damnation!

The very thought of sin, if but meditated on,
will break forth into action; action into custom;
custom into habit; and then both body and soul
are irrecoverably lost to all eternity!

If the subtle Serpent can but wriggle in his tail
by a sinful thought, he will soon get in his head
by a worse action!

The cockatrice must be crushed in the egg,
else it will soon become a serpent!