"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share
in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10
Grace always thrives most when saints are under the rod.
When Christians are under the rod, then their graces do
not only bud, but blossom and bring forth fruit, as Aaron's
rod did. The snuffing of the candle makes it burn the brighter.
God beats and bruises His children, to make them burn the
brighter; He bruises His spices, to make them send forth
the greater aromatic fragrance.
The Jews were always best when they were in an
afflicted condition.
Stars shine brightest in the darkest nights.
Vines grow the better for bleeding.
Gold shines the better for scouring.
Juniper smells sweetest when in the fire.
By afflictions, God many times revives, quickens, and
recovers the decayed graces of His people. By afflictions,
God many times inflames that love which is cold; and He
strengthens that faith which is failing; and he puts life into
those hopes which are languishing; and new spirits into
those joys and comforts which are withering and dying.
Sharp afflictions recover and revive our decayed graces.
The smarting rod abases the loveliness of the world,
which entices us; it abates the lustiness of the flesh
within, which incites us to vanity and folly.
Be the first to react on this!
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.