Thomas Brooks emphasizes that mere civility and common morality are insufficient for true sanctity and communion with God. He warns that many people mistakenly believe their moral behavior exempts them from the need for genuine holiness, while in reality, they may be far from God and unaware of their spiritual condition. Brooks illustrates that a moral person, though seemingly good, may still be Christless and graceless, ultimately leading to a cooler hell rather than salvation. He contrasts this with the humility of the tax collector, who recognized his sinfulness and sought God's mercy, demonstrating that true justification comes from a heart of repentance rather than mere moral conduct.