"For you know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were
redeemed from the empty way of life handed
down to you from your forefathers." 1 Pet. 1:18
Christ redeems us from all sin—and from all the
consequences of sin. He endured the wrath of God
to the uttermost—for everyone who believes on Him.
By this redemption . . .
justice is satisfied,
wrath is pacified,
grace is procured,
all spiritual enemies are vanquished.
Each child of God is redeemed from . . .
the love of sin,
the guilt of sin,
the dominion of sin,
the damnatory power of sin,
the power of Satan,
the curse of the law,
hell and wrath to come!
The work of redemption was a great work. The
greatness of the person employed in this work,
speaks out the work to be a great work.
The great and invaluable price which was paid
down for our redemption, speaks it out to be a
great redemption. The price that we are bought
with, is a price beyond all computation.
This redemption that we have in Christ, is a free
and gracious redemption. All the rounds in this
ladder of redemption, are made up of free, rich,
and sovereign grace! Though our redemption
cost Christ dearly—yet to us it is most free!
Jesus Christ has completely done the work of our
redemption. He does not redeem us from some of
our sins, and leave us to grapple with the rest.
Oh, no! Christ makes a most complete work of it.
He redeems us from all our iniquities. He delivers
us out of the hands of all our enemies.
He pays all debts,
He delivers from all wrath,
He takes off the whole curse,
He saves to the uttermost,
and will settle us in a state of full and perfect
bliss—when grace shall be turned into glory.
The redemption which we have in Jesus Christ, is an
eternal, a permanent, a lasting, yes, an everlasting
redemption! "Having obtained eternal redemption
for us." Hebrews 9:12
There are many choice and rare spiritual
benefits which flow from redemption:
reconciliation with God,
remission of our sins,
justification of our persons,
adoption into God's family,
sanctification,
full glorification.
Redemption sweetens all the bitterest trials
and sharpest afflictions, which we meet with
in this world.
Redemption is a rich mine, containing a mass
of treasure which cannot be valued. Could we
dig into it, could we pry into it—we would find
that it contains unsearchable riches . . .
riches of grace, of all grace,
riches of justification,
riches of sanctification,
riches of consolation,
riches of glorification,
the best of riches,
the most durable riches,
soul riches,
heavenly riches!
"They are Your servants and Your people, whom
You redeemed by Your great strength and Your
mighty hand!" Nehemiah 1:10
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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.