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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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Sermon Summary
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses severe providences and fiery trials to refine and purify His people from sin, much like how gold and silver are refined in fire. He illustrates that all believers, despite their best efforts, carry corruption and dross that need to be purged through trials. These challenges serve as a medicinal process to cleanse the soul and help believers overcome their strong lusts, ultimately leading to a more virtuous life. Brooks encourages the faithful to bless God for these trials, as they lead to spiritual victory and growth. The sermon highlights the transformative power of God's refining process in the lives of His people.
Their Dregs and Dross
"Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says— See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of My people?" Jeremiah 9:7 By severe providences and fiery trials—God designs the mortifying and purging away of His people's sins. "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold." Zechariah 13:9 The best of men are but men at the best; they have much corruption and dross in them, and they need refining; and therefore God by fiery trials will refine them—as silver and gold which are purified in the fire. He will so refine them, as that they shall leave their dregs and dross behind them. Look! What the fire is to the gold, what the file is to the iron, what the winnowing fan is to the wheat, what the soap is to the clothes— that shall fiery trials be to the saints. All the fiery trials which befall the saints, shall be as a medicinal potion to purge away our soul diseases! May our trials be so sanctified, as to issue in the burning up of our lusts, and in the purging away of our filth! O sirs! If God, by fiery trials, shall make you more victorious over your strong lusts, and help you to live more virtuous lives—you will have cause to bless Him all your days, though He has turned you out of house and home, and burnt up all your comforts round about you! "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." Malachi 3:3
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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.