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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 that saving repentance is characterized by a deep contrition and grief of heart for sins committed, often referred to as godly sorrow. He illustrates this through biblical examples of mourning sinners, such as David, Hezekiah, Ephraim, Mary Magdalene, and the Corinthians, who all demonstrated heartfelt repentance. This sorrow leads to a humbling of the heart and a sincere desire to turn away from sin, reflecting the transformative power of true repentance.
Saving Repentance
Saving repentance includes contrition or grief of heart for sins committed. Now this is sometimes called— godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7:10; a contrite spirit, Isaiah 66:2; a broken and contrite heart, Psalm 51:17; the afflicting of our souls, Lev. 16:29; the humbling of the heart, 2 Chron. 7:14, Lam. 3:20; a mourning, Zech. 12:10; a weeping, Mark 14:72. All repenting sinners are mourning sinners. David repents—and waters his couch with his tears. Hezekiah repents—and humbles himself for the pride of his heart. Ephraim repents—and Ephraim bemoans himself. Mary Magdalene repents—and weeps, and washes Christ's feet with her tears. The Corinthians repented—and were made sorrowful after a godly manner.
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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.