A cleaner way to hell

(Thomas Brooks, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels" 1669)

It was the saying of a precious saint—that he was more
afraid of his duties than of his sins; for his duties often
made him proud—but his sins always made him humble.

It was good counsel Luther gave, "We must take heed
not only of our sins—but of our good works."

Duties can never have too much diligence used about
them—nor too little confidence placed in them. They are
good helps—but bad saviors. It is necessary we do them
—but it is dangerous to rely upon them. If the devil cannot
dissuade us from performing pious duties—then his next
work will be to persuade us to rely upon them, to make
saviors of them; because this will as certainly ruin our
souls, as if we had wholly neglected them.

Resting in your own righteousness, will as certainly and
eternally undo you—as the greatest and foulest atrocities!

Open wickedness slays her thousands—but a secret
resting upon duties, slays her ten thousands!

Open profaneness is the broad dirty way which leads
to hell; but trusting in pious duties is as sure a way,
though a cleaner way to hell. Ungodly people and
formal professors shall meet at last in the same hell.

Now, let all these things work you to renounce your own
righteousness—and to take sanctuary alone in the pure,
perfect, and most glorious righteousness of Jesus Christ,
and in the free grace of God.


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We have completed the electronic publishing of Thomas
Brooks' outstanding book, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels"