What is the scholar's knowledge of the strength, riches,
glories, and sweetness of far countries, obtained by maps
and books—compared to their knowledge, who daily see
and enjoy those things?
Truly, that knowledge which is only notional, speculative,
and general; which is gathered out of books, discourses,
and other outward advantages, is such a knowledge that
will make men sit down in hell, as it did Judas, Demas,
the scribes and pharisees, etc.
A man who has that experimental knowledge which
accompanies salvation, will from his experience tell you,
that sin is the greatest evil in the world—for he has found
it so, Rom. 7; that Christ is the one thing necessary—for
he has found Him so, Psalm 27:4; that the favor of God
is better than life—for he has found it so, Psalm 63:3; that
pardoning mercy alone makes a man happy—for he has
found it so, Psalm 32:1-2; that a wounded spirit is such
a burden that none can bear—for he has found it so, Prov.
18:14; that a humble and a broken heart is an acceptable
sacrifice to God—for he has found it so, Psalm 51:17; that the
promises are precious pearls—for he has found them so,
2 Pet. 1:4; that the smiles of God will make up the lack of
any outward mercies—for he has found it so, Psalm 4:6-7;
that only communion with God can make a heaven in a
believer's heart—for he has found it so, Psalm 48:10; that
if the Spirit is pleased and obeyed, He will be a comforter
to the soul—for he has found it so, John 16:7; but if His
motions and laws are slighted and neglected, He will stand
far off from the soul, He will vex and gall the soul—for he
has found it so, Lam 1:16; Isa 63:10-11.
That knowledge which is not experimental, will only increase
your guilt and torment, as it did the Scribes' and Pharisees'.
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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.