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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.
Sermon Summary
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the deep attachment sinners have to their lusts, illustrating that they often prioritize these over their most cherished relationships and even their relationship with God. He explains that the Holy Spirit's work is to help individuals recognize sin as their greatest enemy, leading them to despise and combat it. Brooks highlights that true grace instills a desire to rid oneself of all sin, equating the longing for freedom from sin to a slave's desire to escape chains. He asserts that a gracious heart would prefer to endure suffering rather than indulge in sin, as sin is the most defiling aspect of life. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a sincere commitment to forsake all forms of sin for the sake of spiritual purity.
Glued to Their Lusts
Sinners' hearts are so glued to their lusts, that they will rather part with their nearest, dearest, and choicest enjoyments—than part with their sins! Yes, they will rather part with God, Christ, and all the glory of heaven—than they will part with some darling lust. "When He comes, He will convict the world about sin." John 16:8 The first work of the Spirit upon the soul, is to make a man . . . look upon sin as an enemy, to deal with sin as an enemy, to hate sin as an enemy, to loathe sin as an enemy, to fear sin as an enemy, and to arm against sin as an enemy. Of all the vile things in the world, sin is the most defiling thing; it makes us red with guilt and black with filth. Inward corruptions grieve the gracious soul. "Oh," says the gracious soul, "that I were but rid of . . . this proud heart, this hard heart, this unbelieving heart, this unclean heart, this froward heart, this earthly heart of mine!" The Christian has a universal willingness to be rid of all sin. The enmity which grace works in the heart, is against all sin: profitable sins, pleasurable sins, disparaging sins, disgracing sins, small sins, great sins. A gracious heart had much rather, if it were put to his choice, live without all sin—than to have allowance to wallow in any sin. He had rather live without the least sin—than to have liberty to live in the most flesh-pleasing sin. It is certain that sin is more afflictive to a gracious soul, than all the losses, crosses, troubles, and trials that he meets with in the world. True grace would not have one Canaanite left in the holy land; he would have every Egyptian drowned in the red sea of Christ's blood! "I hate every false way." Psalm 139:24 Saving grace makes a man as willing to leave his lusts, as a slave is willing to leave his chains, or a prisoner his dungeon, or a beggar his rags. A sincere heart had much rather be rid of his sins than of his sufferings; yes, of the least sins than of the greatest sufferings.
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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.