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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 paramount importance of guarding one's soul, which he describes as a jewel worth more than heaven. He warns against the dangers of vanity and materialism, urging believers to protect their hearts and souls from worldly temptations. Brooks highlights that losing one's soul is the greatest folly, as it leads to eternal loss, making it crucial to prioritize spiritual well-being over earthly gains. He references Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 16:26 to underscore the significance of safeguarding the soul.
A Jewel Worth More Than Heaven!
("Hypocrites Detected, Anatomized, Impeached, Arraigned and Condemned" 1650) "Above all else, guard your heart!" Proverbs 4:23 Oh guard your eyes—that they behold no vanity! Watch your hands—that they touch not the golden wedge! But, above all, guard your souls! The soul is a jewel worth more than heaven! Oh guard it! If that is lost —all is lost. If that is lost—you are eternally lost! Of all losses—the loss of the soul is the most incomparable, irreparable, and irrecoverable loss! It is the greatest folly in the world, to lose your soul. "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
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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.