[b]Loathsome thoughts
(Thomas Brooks, "Heaven on Earth" 1667)
"You will remember your conduct and all the actions by
which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe
yourselves for all the evil you have done." Ezekiel 20:43
True repentance includes a loathing and abhorring of sin,
and of ourselves for sin.
The sincere penitent loathes his sins, and be loathes himself
also because of his sins. He cries out, "Oh these wanton eyes!
Oh these wicked hands! Oh this deceitful tongue! Oh this
crooked will! Oh this corrupt heart! Oh how do I loathe my
sins, how do I loathe myself! My sins are a burden to me, and
they make me a burden to myself! My sins are an abhorrent
to me, and they make me abhor myself in dust and ashes!"
A true penitent has not only low thoughts of himself, but
loathsome thoughts of himself. None can think or speak
so vilely of a Christian--as he thinks and speaks so vilely
of himself. "Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4
"They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done
and for all their detestable practices." Ezekiel 6:9