An Inlet to Three Dreadful Things
Death is a dreadful reality for unbelieving sinners, leading to judgment, condemnation, and endless sufferings.
Thomas Brooks warns about the dreadful reality of death for the unbelieving sinner, emphasizing that it marks the end of all earthly mercies and pleasures. He describes death as a gateway to three terrifying outcomes: judgment, an irreversible sentence of condemnation, and endless suffering. Brooks illustrates the stark contrast between the fleeting joys of sin and the eternal torment that awaits in hell, where there is no joy, only despair. The sermon serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of a life lived apart from God.
Text
("A Heavenly Cordial" 1665)
Death is dreadful to the unbelieving sinner, for it
puts an everlasting end to all his temporal . . .
mercies,
comforts,
contentments,
and enjoyments.
Death will put an everlasting end to all his pleasures
of sin. Now the sinner shall never more have one
merry day. In hell there is . . .
no singing--but howling;
no music--but madness;
no sporting--but sighing;
no dancing--but wringing of hands
and gnashing of teeth for evermore!
In a word, now the sinner shall find by woeful
experience that death will be an inlet to three
dreadful things:
1. To judgment, Heb. 9:27;
2. To an irreversible sentence of condemnation, Mat. 25:41;
3. To endless, ceaseless, and remediless sufferings.
Sermon Outline
- Death's Dreadfulness to Unbelieving Sinners
- The Reality of Hell
- Death's Inlet to Dreadful Things
- Temporal Mercies and Comforts
- Pleasures of Sin
- No Singing, Music, or Joy
- Wringing of Hands and Gnashing of Teeth
- Judgment
- Irreversible Sentence of Condemnation
- Endless Sufferings
Key Quotes
“Death will put an everlasting end to all his pleasures of sin.” — Thomas Brooks
“In hell there is no singing--but howling; no music--but madness;” — Thomas Brooks
“Death will be an inlet to three dreadful things:” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the reality and consequences of death for unbelieving sinners.
- Understand the eternal nature of judgment, condemnation, and sufferings.
- Seek salvation and a relationship with God to avoid these dreadful consequences.