("A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")
Diogenes noted the folly of the men of his time—that
they undervalued the best things—but overvalued the
worst things. Ah, that this were not the sin and shame
of professors in these days!
God sometimes strips His people of their nearest and
dearest outward mercies—that they may the more prize,
and the better taste—of spiritual and heavenly mercies.
God takes away uncertain riches—that His
people may the more prize certain riches!
God takes away natural strength—that His
people may the more prize spiritual strength!
God takes away the creature—that His
people may more prize their Savior.
Spiritual and heavenly things can alone satisfy
the soul. The language of a godly man is this,
"Ah, Lord! the good things which I have from
You, though they may refresh me—yet they
cannot satisfy me without Yourself!"
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth
has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and
my heart may fail, but God is the strength of
my heart and my portion forever!" Ps. 73:25-26
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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.