Thomas Brooks (Puritan)

Thomas Brooks (1608–1680) was an English non-conformist Puritan preacher and author.

Thomas Brooks on the title page of his book The Riches of Christ.

Life

Much of what is known about Thomas Brooks has been ascertained from his writings.[1] Born, likely to well-to-do parents, in 1608, 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 a number of 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 to be chosen as preacher before the House of Commons on 26 December 1648. His sermon was afterwards 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 afterwards, 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 to have preached as 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, ISBN 0-85151-002-7
  • 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, ISBN 0-85151-924-5
  • Heaven on Earth: A Treatise on Christian Assurance, Banner of Truth Trust (Puritan Paperbacks), first published 1654, ISBN 0-85151-356-5
  • 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, ISBN 0-85151-302-6
  • Smooth Stones taken from Ancient Brooks, by Thomas Brooks and C.H. Spurgeon, Banner of Truth Trust, ISBN 978-1-84871-113-6
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References
  1. 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
  2. "Brookes, Thomas (BRKS625T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  3. See Publisher's Note in The Secret Key To Heaven (see Works section above)
  4. Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) (Biography) Excerpt from Meet the Puritans by Dr. Joel Beeke and Randall J. Pederson
  5. 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
  6. Spurgeon Charles, Preface to Smooth Stones, taken from Ancient Brooks, W H Collingridge, London
  • Works by Thomas Brooks at Post-Reformation Digital Library
  • 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
  • Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) (Biography) Excerpt from Meet the Puritans by Dr. Joel Beeke and Randall J. Pederson
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