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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 critical nature of true repentance in his sermon 'Horrid Hypocrisy, Damnable Folly, and Astonishing Impudency!' He argues that one cannot genuinely seek forgiveness for sins while simultaneously clinging to them, as this reflects a deep hypocrisy and folly. Brooks illustrates that true penitence requires a willingness to forsake all known sins, as the desire for pardon must be matched by the intent to turn away from wrongdoing. He warns that those who ask for forgiveness while planning to continue in sin will find no mercy, equating their situation to that of a traitor seeking pardon while remaining treasonous. Ultimately, he concludes that true forgiveness is reserved for those who earnestly repent and are committed to abandoning their sins.
Horrid Hypocrisy, Damnable Folly, and Astonishing Impudency!
"He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13 The true penitent would have God to forgive him, not only some of his sins—but all his sins; and therefore it is but just and equal that he should turn from all his sins. The plaster must be as broad as the sore. It argues horrid hypocrisy, damnable folly, and astonishing impudency—for a man to beg the pardon for those very sins that he is resolved never to forsake! Look! He who has not repented of all known sin, he has not yet sincerely repented of any known sin, nor as yet experienced the sweetness of forgiveness of sin. Of all fools, there is none compared to him who is importunate with God to forgive those sins which he is resolved beforehand to commit! What prince, in his wits, will pardon the treasons of a person who is resolved to continue a traitor? Or what judge will forgive thievery of a person who is decidedly determined to continue as a thief? Such as continue in the practice of those very sins, which they beg God to pardon—shall certainly go without their pardon! Pardon of sin is for that man, and that man is for pardon of sin—who is as truly willing to forsake his sins as he is to receive the pardon of his sins. Who would not look upon that man as a madman—who would earnestly beg his pardon, and yet continue to steal purses, and murder people before the eyes of the judge? The pardoned soul is the repenting soul—and the repenting soul is the pardoned soul! He who begs pardon of sin—yet is resolved not to turn from sin—shall find no more pardon than devils or damned spirits do! Look! as one sin unforgiven will as certainly undo a man as a thousand—just so, one sin unforsaken will us certainly undo and damn a man as a thousand! The true penitent is as willing to turn from all his sins—as he is willing that God should pardon all his sins!
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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.