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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 the sovereignty of God as a powerful force that demands submission, either through His word or through His works, mercies, or judgments. He warns that failure to submit to God's authority will lead to dire consequences, as often it is through judgments that God captures the attention of the intractable world. Brooks highlights that God's judgments reveal His power, justice, and anger towards sin, serving as a reminder that a one-sided view of God as solely merciful can lead to atheism and profaneness. Ultimately, he asserts that God's severity is a means to prevent utter ruin and misery, showcasing His sovereignty in both mercy and judgment.
Scriptures
The Sovereignty of God
The sovereignty of God is that golden scepter in His hand which He will make all bow to, either . . . by His word or by His works, by His mercies or by His judgments. This scepter must be kissed and submitted to, or else fire and sword, desolation and destruction, will certainly follow. Many times judgments work—where mercies do not win. The world is so intractable, that God's frowns will do more with them than God's smiles. The the power, justice, and sovereignty of God shines most gloriously in the execution of His judgments upon the world. God's greatest severity is to prevent utter ruin and misery! There is a knowledge of God by His works as well as by His word; and by His judgments as well as by His mercies. In His dreadful judgments everyone may run and read— His power, His justice, His anger, His severity and indignation against sin and sinners. It is the highway to atheism and profaneness, to imagine to ourselves, a God made up all of mercy, to think that God cannot be angry and wrathful with sinful men.
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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.