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  MIXED OR UNMIXED?
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: God is a pure and unmixed light, while all earthly goods are
mixed with drawbacks, and high places in life can be slippery and lead
to downfall.

Topics: "God's Purity", "Worldly Ambition"
Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 1:13, Matthew 6:19, 1 John 1:5

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between God's pure light and
the mixed nature of worldly possessions. He explains that while God is
entirely free from darkness, earthly pursuits are fraught with troubles
and sorrows, making them ultimately vain. Brooks illustrates that even
the most seemingly desirable things come with hidden burdens, akin to a
crown lined with thorns. He warns that ambition for high places brings
not only cares but also the risk of moral and spiritual downfall. The
sermon calls believers to seek the unmixed light of God rather than the
mixed portions of the world.

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CONTENT
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"God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all."

1 John 1:5

Light expels darkness, it never mixes nor mingles with

it. God is a pure and an unmixed light, and there is

absolutely no darkness in Him.

Light is the most unmixed substance; it will never mix

with darkness--neither will God.

But all worldly portions are mixed with many . . .

troubles,

sorrows,

cares,

fears,

hazards,

dangers,

vexations,

oppositions,

crosses,

losses.

All earthly portions are mixed portions!

The goodness of all creatures is a mixed goodness.

Every bee has his sting, and every rose has his prickles.

And this mixture speaks out all earthly portions to be

"vanity and vexation of spirit," Ecclesiastes 1:13.

That great king Xerxes was accustomed to say--'You

look upon my crown and my purple robes--but if

you knew how they were lined with thorns--you

would not stoop to pick them up!' Great places are

not free from great cares. No man knows the weight

of a scepter, but he who sways it. Many a sleepless

night, many a restless day, many a sad temptation,

and many a busy shift, will their ambition cost them

--who aspire to such places of eminency. Besides,

high places are commonly very slippery; he who

stands in them may suddenly fall, and wound his

conscience, or easily fall and break his neck.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/mixed-or-unmixed/
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