When Brutus went to stab Julius Caesar – Thomas Brooks

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalm 51:3

Sin most afflicts a gracious soul.

The deer feeling within her the working of the serpent’s poison runs through the thorns and thickets, and runs over the green and pleasant pastures that she may drink of the fountain and be cured.

Just so, gracious souls, being sensible of the poison and venom of sin, run from the creatures, which are but as thorns and thickets; and run over their own duties and righteousness, which are but as pleasant pastures to come to Christ the fountain of life that they may drink of those waters of consolation, of those wells of salvation which are in Him, and cast up and cast out their spiritual poison, and be cured forever.

Believers know that their sins do most pierce and grieve the Lord. The sins of God’s people, provoke Him most, and sadden Him most and this makes them sigh and groan it out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24

If a snake were to sting your dearly beloved spouse to death would you preserve it alive, warm it by the fire, and hug it in your bosom? Would you not rather stab it with a thousand wounds?

When Brutus went to stab Julius Caesar, he cried out, “What, you my son Brutus!” So may God well cry out, “What, you My son! What, will you stab Me with your sins! Is it not enough that others stab My honor? but will you, My son?”

You are wise, and know how to apply it.