If you are not as wicked as others

(Thomas Brooks, "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ")

"By the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corin. 15:10

Whatever evil you behold in other men's practices, realize
that you have the same evil in your own nature.

There is the seed of all sins, of the vilest and worst of 
sins--in the best of men. When you see a drunkard--you 
may see the seed of that sin in your own nature. When 
you see an immoral man--you may see the seeds of 
immorality in your own nature. If you are not as
wicked as others--it is not because of the goodness 
of your nature--but from the riches of God's grace!

Remember this--there is not a worse nature in hell
than that which is in you, and it would manifest itself 
accordingly--if the Lord did not restrain it! 

There was one who was a long time tempted to three 
horrid sins: to be drunk, to lie with his mother, and to 
murder his father. Being a long time followed with 
these horrid temptations, at last he thought to get 
rid of them, by yielding to what he judged the least, 
and that was to be drunk; but when he was drunk, he 
did both lie with his mother and murdered his father. 

Why, such a hellish nature is in every soul that breathes!
And did God leave men to act according to their natures, 
all men would be incarnate devils, and this world a total
hell. In your nature you have that that would lead you . . .
  with the Pharisees--to oppose Christ; 
  and with Judas--to betray Christ;
  and with Pilate--to condemn Christ;
  and with the soldiers--to crucify Christ. 

Oh, what a monster, what a devil you would be--should 
God but leave you to act suitable to that sinful and woeful 
nature of yours!

"By the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corin. 15:10