"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit;" that is—the broken and
humble in heart, who has no high thoughts or conceits of
himself—but is lowly in his own eyes, like a young child.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit;" that is—he who has no lofty
or puffed up spirit. The poor in spirit are those who are lowly,
being truly conscious of their own unworthiness. None are
poor in spirit—but the humble.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit;" that is—blessed are those
whose spirits are brought into such a humble gracious
frame, as willingly, quietly, and contentedly to lie down
in a poor low condition—when it is the pleasure of the
Lord to bring them into such a condition.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit;" that is—blessed are those
who are truly and sincerely sensible of their spiritual
needs, poverty, and misery. They see an utter inability
and insufficiency in themselves, and in all other creatures
—to deliver them out of their sinful and miserable estate.
They see nothing in themselves upon which they dare
venture their everlasting estates—and therefore fly to the
free, rich, sovereign, and glorious grace of God in Christ,
as to their sure and only sanctuary!
They see their need of God's free grace to pardon them.
They see their need of Christ's righteousness to clothe them.
They see their need of the Spirit of Christ to purge, change,
and sanctify them.
They see their need of more heavenly wisdom to counsel them.
They see their need of more . . .
of the power of God—to support them,
of the goodness of God—to supply them,
of the mercy of God—to comfort them,
of the presence of God—to refresh them,
of the patience of God—to bear with them, etc.
They see their need of greater measures of faith
—to conquer their fears.
They see their need of greater measures of wisdom—
to walk holily, harmlessly, blamelessly, and exemplary
in the midst of temptations, snares, and dangers.
They see their need of greater measures of patience
—to bear their burdens without fretting or fainting.
They see their need of greater measures of zeal
and courage—to bear up bravely against all sorts
of opposition, both from within and from without.
They see their need of greater measures of love
—to cleave to the Lamb, and to follow the Lamb
wherever He goes.
They see their need of living in a continual dependence
upon God and Christ—for fresh influences, incomes, and
supplies of grace, of comfort, of strength—by which they
may be enabled . . .
to live for God,
to walk with God,
to glorify God,
to bring forth fruit to God,
to withstand all temptations which
tend to lead the heart away from God.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
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Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680)
Much of what is known about Thomas Brooks has been ascertained from his writings. Born, likely to well-to-do parents, in 1608, Brooks entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1625, 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, and was sufficiently renowned to be chosen as preacher before the House of Commons on December 26, 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. In 1662, he fell victim to the notorious 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]
Thomas Brooks was a nonconformist preacher. Born into a Puritan family, he was sent to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He soon became an advocate of the Congregational way and served as a chaplain in the Civil War. In 1648 he accepted the rectory of St. Margaret's, New Fish Street, London, but only after making his Congregational principles clear to the vestry.
On several occasions he preached before Parliament. He was ejected in 1660 and remained in London as a Nonconformist preacher. Government spies reported that he preached at Tower Wharf and in Moorfields. During the Great Plague and Great Fire he worked in London, and in 1672 was granted a license to preach in Lime Street. He wrote over a dozen books, most of which are devotional in character. He was buried in Bunhill Fields.