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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 that sinning is far worse than suffering, as sin dishonors God while suffering can glorify Him. He urges Christians to recognize the gravity of sin, which is the root of all grief, guilt, and separation from God. Brooks highlights that sin is the source of divine wrath and the cause of a troubled conscience, and he calls believers to actively resist and turn away from sin. He encourages the faithful to prioritize the battle against sin over the trials they face, asserting that a true believer would prefer to be free from sin than from suffering.
Sinning Is Worse Than Suffering
Sinning is worse than suffering; for by men's sins God is dishonored—but by their sufferings God is glorified. Oh, that the Christian reader would seriously consider of these things: There is nothing that the great God hates—but sin. There is nothing that God has revealed His wrath from heaven against—but sin. There is nothing that grieves the Spirit of grace—but sin. There is nothing that wounds the conscience—but sin. There is nothing that clouds the face of God—but sin. There is nothing that interrupts our communion with God—but sin. There is nothing that embitters our mercies—but sin. There is nothing that puts a sting into all our troubles and trials—but sin. And therefore under all your sorrows and sufferings, crosses and losses—make it your great business . . . to arm yourselves against sin, and to pray against sin, and to watch against sin, and to turn from sin, and to cease from sin, and to get rid of sin, and to stand forever in defiance of sin! Assuredly every gracious heart had rather be rid of his sins than of his 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.