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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 warns against the dangers of worldliness and earthly-mindedness among professing Christians, likening them to worshipers of the golden calf. He emphasizes that the allure of the world is deceptive and ultimately leads to spiritual decay, as true fulfillment can only be found in God. Brooks illustrates that an inordinate love for worldly things can sever one's communion with God, urging believers to seek a greater glory rather than being captivated by vanity. He reminds us that the things of this world are ultimately worthless in the eyes of eternity, and that true richness comes from a relationship with God.
Worshipers of the Golden Calf!
There is a great deal of worldliness, and earthly-mindedness, and covetousness among the professing Christians of our day. They are worshipers of the golden calf! O sirs! the world is all shadow and vanity. The world is like Jonah's gourd—a man may sit under its shadow for a time, but it soon decays and dies. The main reason why many professors dote upon the world, is because they are not acquainted with a greater glory. If the heart of man is not filled with God—it will be filled with the world, the flesh and the devil. The world may well be resembled to the fruit which undid us all—which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in taste—but deadly in effect and operation! O sirs! if you can gather grapes off thorns, and figs off thistles, then go on, and dote upon the world still. All the things of this world are vain things—they are vanity of vanities, Eccles. 1:2. All in heaven count them vain, and all in hell count them vain; pearls are but as pebbles in their eyes. Lazarus in heaven is now rich enough, and happy enough; and Dives in hell is now poor enough, and miserable enough. He who makes the world his god while he is in the world—what will he do for a god when he goes out of this world? Well, sirs, remember this—an inordinate love of the world will eat out all a man's communion with God. A man cannot look up to heaven and look down upon the earth—at the same time.
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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.