Sinning is worse than suffering – Thomas Brooks

Sinning is worse than suffering; for by men’s sins God is dishonored but by their sufferings God is glorified. Oh, that the Christian reader would seriously consider of these things:

There is nothing that the great God hates but sin.
There is nothing that God has revealed His wrath from heaven against but sin.
There is nothing that grieves the Spirit of grace but sin.
There is nothing that wounds the conscience but sin.
There is nothing that clouds the face of God but sin.
There is nothing that interrupts our communion with God but sin.
There is nothing that embitters our mercies but sin.
There is nothing that puts a sting into all our troubles and trials but sin.

And therefore under all your sorrows and sufferings, crosses and losses make it your great business . . .
to arm yourselves against sin,
and to pray against sin,
and to watch against sin,
and to turn from sin,
and to cease from sin,
and to get rid of sin,
and to stand forever in defiance of sin!
Assuredly every gracious heart had rather be rid of his sins than of his sufferings!