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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 necessity of pursuing holiness, arguing that if the ambitious, pleasure-seeking, and worldly individuals strive for their desires, Christians should strive even more for holiness. He describes the way of holiness as the safest, noblest, sweetest, cleanest, pleasantest, and happiest path, encouraging believers to persist despite obstacles. Brooks reminds the congregation that God continues to show mercy despite their sins, urging them to remain steadfast in their pursuit of sanctity. He challenges them to consider the perseverance of Satan and the wicked, questioning why they should not also persevere in their quest for holiness.
Pursue After Holiness
"Pursue . . . holiness—without it no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 O sirs, shall the ambitious person pursue after his honors, and the voluptuous person after his pleasures, and the worldling pursue after his gain, and the wanton pursue after his harlots, and the drunkard pursue after his full cups, etc.; and shall not Christians much more pursue after holiness? O sirs, the way of holiness is . . . the safest way, the noblest way, the sweetest way, the cleanest way, the pleasantest way, the happiest way; therefore hold on, and hold up in that way. "Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace." Proverbs 3:17 We hold on in a way of holiness, notwithstanding all the rocks and obstacles and difficulties that we meet with in that way. O sirs, in the face of all your sins and unworthiness, God holds on in ways of mercy towards you; and why then should not you hold on in ways of sanctity towards Him? Shall Satan persevere in his enmity against holiness? And shall wicked men persevere in their opposition to holiness? And shall formalists persevere in their neglect of holiness? And will not you persevere in your pursuit of holiness?
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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.