"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom
to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they
are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off
to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 23:4-5
The only thing certain about riches—is that they are
uncertain.
Oh the deadness, the barrenness, the listlessness, the
heartlessness to anything that is divine and heavenly—
which always attends such professors who are resolved
to be rich, or great, or somebody in the world! Oh the
time, the thoughts, the strength, the spirits that these
men spend upon the world—while their souls lie a-bleeding,
and eternity is hastening upon them! Men who are highly
and fully resolved to be rich—will certainly forget God,
undervalue Christ, grieve the Spirit, slight ordinances,
and neglect such gracious opportunities as might make
them happy forever. Rich Felix had no leisure to
hear poor Paul, though the hearing of a sermon
might have saved his soul. "As Paul discoursed on
righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come,
Felix was afraid and said—That's enough for now! You
may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for
you." Acts 24:24-25
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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.