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Thomas Brooks
Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680). English Puritan preacher and author born in Glastonbury, Somerset. Likely educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he entered ministry during the English Civil War, possibly serving as a chaplain in the Parliamentary navy. By 1648, he preached in London, becoming rector of St. Margaret’s, New Fish Street, in 1652, where he ministered through the Great Plague and Great Fire of 1666. A nonconformist, he was ejected in 1662 under the Act of Uniformity but continued preaching privately. Brooks wrote over a dozen works, including Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (1652) and The Mute Christian Under the Rod, blending practical theology with vivid illustrations. Known for his warm, accessible style, he influenced Puritan spirituality, emphasizing repentance and divine sovereignty. Married twice—first to Martha Burgess in 1640, with whom he had four sons, then to Patience Cartwright—he faced personal loss but remained steadfast. His sermons drew crowds, and his books, reprinted centuries later, shaped Reformed thought. Brooks’ legacy endures through digital archives and reprints for modern readers.
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the transformative power of affliction in the life of a believer, asserting that trials serve to purify the soul, reveal sin, and deepen one's relationship with God. He draws parallels between afflictions and various processes that refine and heal, suggesting that through suffering, believers can gain clearer insights into themselves and their need for God. Brooks encourages the faithful to view their afflictions as divine love-tokens, meant to cultivate humility and spiritual growth, ultimately leading to a more fruitful and holy life.
It Was Good for Me to Be Afflicted!
"It was good for me to be afflicted!" Psalm 119:71 A gracious soul secretly concludes—as stars shine brightest in the night, so God will make my soul shine and glisten like gold, while I am in this furnace—and when I come out of the furnace of affliction. 'He knows the way that I take; and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold!' Job 23:10. Surely, as the taste of honey opened Jonathan's eyes; so this cross, this affliction—shall open my eyes. By this stroke I shall come to have a clearer sight of my sins and of my self, and a fuller sight of my God! Job 33:27-28; 40:4-5; 13:1-7. Surely this affliction shall proceed in the purging away of my dross! Isaiah 1:25. Surely as ploughing of the ground kills the weeds, and harrowing breaks hard clods; so these afflictions shall kill my sins, and soften my heart! Hosea 5:15, 6:1-3. Surely as the plaster draws out the infectious core; so the afflictions which are upon me shall draw out the core of pride, the core of self-love, the core of envy, the core of earthliness, the core of formality, the core of hypocrisy! Psalm 119:67, 71. Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will crucify my heart more and more to the world; and the world to my heart! Gal. 6:14; Psalm 131:1-3. Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will keep pride from my soul! Job 33:14-21. Surely these afflictions are but the Lord's pruning-knives, by which He will bleed my sins, and prune my heart, and make it more fertile and fruitful! They are but the Lord's potion, by which He will clear me, and rid me of those spiritual diseases and maladies, which are most deadly and dangerous to my soul! Affliction is such a healing potion, as will carry away all soul-diseases, better than all other remedies! Zech. 13:8-9. Surely these afflictions shall increase my spiritual communion with God! Rom. 5:3-4. Surely by these afflictions, I shall be made to partake more of God's holiness! Heb. 12:10. As black soap makes white clothes—so do sharp afflictions make holy hearts! Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will draw out my heart more and more to seek Him! 'In their afflictions they will seek Me early.' Hosea 5:15. In times of affliction, Christians will industriously, speedily, early seek unto their Lord! Surely by these trials and troubles, the Lord will fix my soul more than ever upon the great concernments of the eternal world! John 14:1-3; Rom. 8:17, 18; 2 Cor. 4:16-18. Surely by these afflictions the Lord will work in me more tenderness and compassion towards those who are afflicted! Hebrews 10:34, 13:3. Surely these afflictions are but God's love-tokens! 'As many as I love—I rebuke and chasten,' Rev. 3:19. So says the holy Christian—'O my soul! be quiet, be still. All is sent in love, all is a fruit of divine favor. I see honey upon the top of every twig; I see the rod is but a rosemary branch; I have sugar with my gall, and wine with my wormwood; therefore be silent, O my soul!' Afflictions abase the carnal attractions of the world outside us—which might entice us! Affliction abates the lustiness of the flesh within us—which might otherwise ensnare us! Afflictions humble us and keep us low! Holy hearts will be humble under the afflicting hand of God. When God's rod is upon their backs—their mouths shall be in the dust! A godly heart will lie lowest, when the hand of God is lifted highest. All this proves that affliction is a mighty advantage to us! "It was good for me to be afflicted!" Psalm 119:71
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Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680). English Puritan preacher and author born in Glastonbury, Somerset. Likely educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he entered ministry during the English Civil War, possibly serving as a chaplain in the Parliamentary navy. By 1648, he preached in London, becoming rector of St. Margaret’s, New Fish Street, in 1652, where he ministered through the Great Plague and Great Fire of 1666. A nonconformist, he was ejected in 1662 under the Act of Uniformity but continued preaching privately. Brooks wrote over a dozen works, including Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (1652) and The Mute Christian Under the Rod, blending practical theology with vivid illustrations. Known for his warm, accessible style, he influenced Puritan spirituality, emphasizing repentance and divine sovereignty. Married twice—first to Martha Burgess in 1640, with whom he had four sons, then to Patience Cartwright—he faced personal loss but remained steadfast. His sermons drew crowds, and his books, reprinted centuries later, shaped Reformed thought. Brooks’ legacy endures through digital archives and reprints for modern readers.