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  PAINTED HOLINESS
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A sermon warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the
consequences of pretending to be holy without true godliness.

Topics: "Hypocrisy", "True Holiness"
Scripture References: Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 23:14, Luke 12:2, Romans 2:21-24, Galatians 6:7, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, 1 John 1:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of hypocrisy in the pursuit of
holiness, using the Scribes and Pharisees as prime examples of those who
outwardly appear righteous but are inwardly corrupt. He emphasizes that
pretended holiness leads to greater damnation, as those who profess
godliness without true piety are ultimately the most miserable. Brooks
illustrates that artificial sanctity is a severe iniquity, and he urges
listeners not to deceive themselves with a false sense of righteousness.
He concludes with a stark reminder that Christ will eventually reveal
the true nature of those who wear masks of holiness, leading to eternal
shame.

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CONTENT
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"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for

you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make

long prayers; therefore you shall receive the greater

damnation." Matthew 23:14

Who had a greater name for holiness, and who made a

greater show of holiness, and who did more despise and

insult other men for the lack of holiness--than the Scribes

and Pharisees? And who so miserable now--as they?

Pretended holiness will double-damn souls at last!

None have so large a portion in hell as hypocrites have.

No man at last will be found so miserable, as he who has

the name of a saint upon him--but not the divine nature

in him; who has a profession of holiness upon him--but no

principles of holiness in him; who has a form of godliness

--but not the power; who can cry up godliness--but in

practice denies it; who is a professor outwardly--but

an atheist, a pagan, a devil inwardly.

Artificial sanctity is double iniquity. He who professes

piety without being pious, and godliness without being

godly; he who makes counterfeit holiness a cloak to

impiety, and a midwife to iniquity; he who is . . .

a Jacob without--and an Esau within,

a David without--and a Saul within,

a John without--and a Judas within,

a saint without--and a Satan within,

an angel without--and a devil within,

is ripened for the worst of torments!

Sirs, do not deceive your own souls!

A painted sword shall as soon defend a man, and

a painted mint shall as soon enrich a man, and

a painted fire shall as soon warm a man, and

a painted friend shall as soon counsel a man, and

a painted horse shall as soon carry a man, and

a painted feast shall as soon nourish a man, and

a painted house shall as soon shelter a man--as

a painted holiness shall save a man! He who

now thinks to put off God with a painted holiness,

shall not fare so well at last--as to be put off with

a painted happiness. The lowest, the hottest, and

the darkest habitation in hell will be his portion,

whose religion lies all in shows and shadows.

Well, spiritual counterfeits, remember this--it will

not be long before Christ will unmask you; before

He will uncloak you; before He will disrobe you;

before He will take off your masks, your cloaks,

and turn your rotten insides outward--to your

eternal shame and reproach before all the world!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/painted-holiness/
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