"To God's elect, strangers in the world," 1 Peter 1:1
This world is a wilderness, and believers, as pilgrims
and strangers, must pass through it to their heavenly
Canaan. "For here we do not have an enduring city, but
we are looking for the city that is to come." Heb. 11:10
"And they admitted that they were strangers
and pilgrims on earth." Heb. 11:13
"Dear friends, I urge you, as strangers and
pilgrims in the world," 1 Peter 2:11
The Scriptures, by frequently calling believers pilgrims,
sojourners, strangers, does sufficiently evidence that
there is no abiding for them in this world. This world is
not their country, their city, their home, their habitation;
and therefore they are not to place their hopes or hearts
or affections upon things below. Heaven is their chief city,
their best country, their most desirable home, and their
everlasting habitation; and therefore the hopes, desires,
breathings, longings should be heaven-ward, glory-ward!
Oh, when shall grace be swallowed up in glory? When
shall we take possession of our eternal mansions?
When shall we be with Christ, who is best of all?
"Live your lives as strangers here in reverent
fear." 1 Peter 1:17
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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.