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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 profound emptiness of worldly pursuits, echoing Solomon's declaration that all is vanity. He illustrates that the pleasures and achievements of this life are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying, akin to a shadow that quickly fades away. Brooks urges listeners to recognize the transient nature of earthly joys and the futility of seeking fulfillment in them, as they are ultimately deceptive and lead to disappointment. He draws parallels between worldly allurements and the forbidden fruit, highlighting their superficial appeal but deadly consequences. The sermon calls for a deeper understanding of true value beyond the vanity of this world.
All Shadow and Vanity
"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." Ecclessiastes 1:2 In all the ages of the world, this testimony of Solomon holds good. The things of this world are not only vain; but vanity in the abstract. They are excessive vanity; vanity of vanities; yes, they are a heap of vanity; vanity of vanities. All in heaven write 'vanity of vanities' upon all worldly things; and all in hell write 'vanity of vanities' upon all worldly things: and why should not all on earth write 'vanity of vanities' upon all worldly things? The world is all shadow and vanity. The world is like Jonah's gourd—a man may sit under its shadow for a while—but it soon withers, decays, and dies. He who shall but weigh . . . man's pains with his pay, his miseries with his mercies, his sorrows with his joys, his crosses with his comforts, his needs with his enjoyments, etc., may well cry out, "Oh the vanity and uncertainty of all these earthly things!" All the great, the mirthful, the glorious things of the world, may fitly be resembled to the fruit which undid us all, which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in taste—but deadly in operation!
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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.