The baits which these men bite at – Thomas Brooks

There are three things in a holy heart, which strongly incline it to persevere when all outward encouragements fail.

The first is a forcible principle divine love.
The second is a mighty aid the Spirit of God.
The third is a high aim the glory of God.

But it is otherwise with those who have only a show of godliness. Let but their outward encouragements fail them; let but the eye, the ear, the applause of the creature fail them; if they cannot make some gain of their godliness, some profit of their profession, some advantage of their religion they are ready, with Demas, to throw off all! Profit and applause are usually the baits which these men bite at; and if they miss these baits then farewell profession, farewell religion, farewell all!