The right way of mortifying of sin – Thomas Brooks

Those spots which a Christian finds in his own heart can only, by a hand of faith, be washed out in the blood of the Lamb.

Suppose that the power and prevalency of sin hinders the soul’s sweet communion with God so that the soul cannot sport itself, and joy and delight itself in God, as in the days of old; it cannot see God smiling, stroking, and speaking kindly, as in former days. Now, there is nothing in all the world which can ease the soul of this burden of sin, but the exercise of grace.

Oh,” says such a poor soul, “I pray and yet I sin; I resolve against sin and yet I sin; I combat against sin and yet I am carried captive by sin; I have left no outward means unattempted and yet after all, my sins are too hard for me; after all my sweating, striving, and weeping I am carried down the stream.

It is not our strong resolutions or purposes which will be able to overmaster these enemies.

There is nothing now but the actings of faith upon a crucified Christ, which will take off this burden from the soul of man. You must make use of your graces to draw virtue from Christ; now faith must touch the hem of Christ’s garment or you will never be healed.

It is sad to consider how few professors in these days have attained the right way of mortifying of sin. They usually go out against their sins in the strength of their own purposes, prayers, and resolutions, etc., and scarcely look so high as a crucified Christ; they mind not the exercise of their faith upon Christ; and therefore it is a righteous thing with Christ that after all, that they should be carried captive by their sins.

Nothing eats out sin like the actings of grace; nothing weakens and wastes the strength of sin like the exercise of grace. Oh! did men believe more in Christ sin would die more!

Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48