- Home
- Speakers
- Thomas Brooks
- When Satan Has Sucked Out All The Marrow
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.
Download
Sermon Summary
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the urgency of seeking God early in life, warning that neglecting to bear fruit in youth often leads to a barren old age. He cautions against the false hope of late repentance, noting that many who delay their spiritual commitment may find themselves unable to truly repent when the time comes. Brooks illustrates that just as ancient warriors rejected old men for service, God may also reject those who have spent their lives serving sin. He stresses the importance of heeding God's calls early, as ignoring them can lead to dire consequences. Ultimately, Brooks urges listeners to dedicate their youth to God rather than waiting until it is too late.
Scriptures
When Satan Has Sucked Out All the Marrow
God usually begins with such early in life—whom He has had thoughts of love and mercy towards, from everlasting. If, in the spring and morning of your days, you do not bring forth fruit to God—it is a hundred to one that you never shall bring forth fruit to God when the days of old age shall overtake you. It is rare, very rare—that God sows and reaps in old age. Usually God sows the seed of grace in youth—which yields the harvest of joy in old age. Though true repentance is never too late—yet late repentance is seldom true. Millions are now in hell, who have flattered themselves with the thought of repenting in old age! Yes, what can be more just and equal, that such should seek and not find—who might have found when young, but would not seek; and that God should shut His ears against their late prayers—who have stopped their ears against His early calls? The ancient warriors would not accept an old man into their army, as being unfit for service; and do you think that God will accept of your dry bones—when Satan has sucked out all the marrow? What king will take into his service —those who have served his enemies all their days? And will God? will God? The Circassians, a kind of mongrel Christians, are said to divide their life between sin and devotion—dedicating their youth to rapine, and their old age to repentance. If this is your case, I would not be in your case for ten thousand worlds! "But since you rejected Me when I called, and no one gave heed when I stretched out My hand, since you ignored all My advice and would not accept My rebuke—I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to Me but I will not answer; they will look for Me but will not find Me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept My advice and spurned My rebuke—they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes." Proverbs 1:24-31
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.