"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
I tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is
their belly, and whose glory is their shame—who mind
earthly things." Philippians 3:18-19
Who were those who walked disorderly?
why, those who minded earthly things.
Who were those who fetched tears from the apostle's eyes?
why, those who minded earthly things.
Who were those who were enemies to the cross of Christ?
why, those who minded earthly things.
Who were those whose end is destruction?
why, those who minded earthly things.
Who were those whose God was their belly?
why, those who minded earthly things.
Who were those whose glory was their shame?
why, those who minded earthly things.
The world proves silken halters to some,
and golden fetters to others.
If ever you would be holy—oh, then take heed of the
witch—take heed of the world! The world often swells
the heart with pride; it makes men forget God, neglect
Christ, slight ordinances, and despise holiness. Ah, the
time, the thoughts, the strength, the energies—which
this enticing world has made many to spend and consume,
while their souls have lain a-bleeding, and eternity has been
hastening upon them! Oh, the deadness, the barrenness,
the listlessness, the heartlessness to anything which is
holy—which attends a worldly temper!
Many are so bewitched with the profits, pleasures, and
honors of the world, that they mind not holiness, they
regard not holiness, they care not for holiness.
The flowers of this world, are surrounded with many briers.
The world is all shadow and vanity; it is like Jonah's gourd
—you may sit under its shadow for a while, but it soon
decays and dies. He who shall but weigh . . .
man's pains with his pay,
his miseries with his pleasures,
his sorrows with his joys,
his crosses with his comforts,
his needs with his enjoyments, etc.,
may well cry out, "Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity."
The whole world is circular, the heart of man is triangular,
and we know a circle cannot fill a triangle. If the whole
earth were changed into a globe of gold, it could not fill
your heart.
O sirs, if your hearts are not filled with holiness—they will
be filled with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Either
holiness or Satan must possess you.
Is it not infinitely better to have holiness without the world,
and so be happy forever—than to have much of the world
without holiness, and so be damned forever?
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.