English non-conformist Puritan preacher and author
Thomas Brooks (1608–1680) was an
English non-conformist
Puritan preacher and author.
Life
Much of what is known about Thomas Brooks has been ascertained from his writings.[1] Born in 1608, likely to wealthy parents, Brooks entered
Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1625,[2][3] where he was preceded by such men as
Thomas Hooker,
John Cotton, and
Thomas Shepard. He was licensed as a preacher of
the gospel by 1640. Before that date, he appears to have spent several years at sea, probably as a chaplain with the fleet.
After the conclusion of the
First English Civil War, Thomas Brooks became minister at
Thomas Apostle's, London,[4] and was sufficiently renowned for being chosen as preacher before the
House of Commons on 26 December 1648. His sermon was afterward published under the title, 'God's Delight in the Progress of the Upright', the text being
Psalm 44:18: 'Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy way'. Three or four years afterward, he transferred to
St. Margaret's, Fish-street Hill, London.[5]
As a writer
C. H. Spurgeon said of him, 'Brooks scatters stars with both hands, with an eagle eye of faith as well as the eagle eye of imagination'.[6]
In 1662, he fell victim to the
Act of Uniformity, but he appears to have remained in his parish and preached as the opportunity arose. Treatises continued to flow from his pen.[3]
Works
Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (Puritan Paperbacks), first published 1652,
ISBN0-85151-002-7
The Secret Key to Heaven: The Vital Importance of Private Prayer, Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (Puritan Paperbacks), first published as 'The Privie Key of Heaven' 1665,
ISBN0-85151-924-5
Heaven on Earth: A Treatise on Christian Assurance, Banner of Truth Trust (Puritan Paperbacks), first published 1654,
ISBN0-85151-356-5
Anexichniastoi ploutoi tou Christou The unsearchable riches of Christ - 22 Sermons printed by
Mary Simmons in 1655.[7]
A Mute Christian Under the Rod by Thomas Brooks, Old Paths Gospel Press, Choteau, MT USA
The Works of Thomas Brooks, Banner of Truth Trust,
ISBN0-85151-302-6
Smooth Stones taken from Ancient Brooks, by Thomas Brooks and C.H. Spurgeon, Banner of Truth Trust,
ISBN978-1-84871-113-6
References
^An earlier biographical source is
Grosart's Memoir from Memoir of Thomas Brooks by Alexander B. Grosart contained in the
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 1, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866
^See Thomas Brooks: a Brief Biography by S.M.H. (S.M. Houghton) in Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices (by Thomas Brooks) published by Banner of Truth
^Spurgeon Charles, Preface to Smooth Stones, taken from Ancient Brooks, W H Collingridge, London
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 1, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: Grosart's Memoir of Brooks; Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices; The Mute Christian Under The Smarting Rod; A String of Pearls
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 2, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: An Ark for All God's Noahs; The Privy Key of Heaven; Heaven On Earth
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 3, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ; A Cabinet of Jewels
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 4, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: The Crown and Glory of Christianity
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 5, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures
Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 6, Nichol's Series of Standard Divines, Puritan Period, with General Preface by John C. Miller, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Smith, General Editor, Edinburgh, James Nichol, 1866. Titles include: London's Lamentations; The Glorious Day of the Saints' Appearance; God's Delight in the Progress of the Upright; Hypocrites Detected; A Believer's Last Day His Best Day; A Heavenly Cordial; The Legacy of a Dying Mother
Smooth Stones Taken from Ancient Brooks by
Rev. C.H. Spurgeon of the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark - Being a collection of sentences, illustrations, and quaint sayings, from the works of that renowned Puritan, Thomas Brooks, Published by Sheldon & Company, New York, 1860