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An Ark for All God's Noahs: In a Gloomy, Stormy Day
The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars.The Age of Enlightenment profoundly enriched religious and philosophical understanding and continues to influence present-day thinking. Works collected here include masterpieces by David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as religious sermons and moral debates on the issues of the day, such as the slave trade. The Age of Reason saw conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism transformed into one between faith and logic -- a debate that continues in the twenty-first century.++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++National Library of ScotlandT186310Glasgow-College: printed by Alex. Millar, and are to be sold in his shop, 1738. xii,300p.; 12
- GenresTheologyChristian Living
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2010
7 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Brooks
83 books52 followersLittle is known about Thomas Brooks as a man, other than can be ascertained from his many writings. Born, probably of well-to-do parents, in 1608, Brooks entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1625. He was licensed as a preacher of the gospel by 1640 at the latest. Before that date he seems to have spent a number of years at sea, probably as a chaplain with the fleet. After the Civil War, Brooks became minister at Thomas Apostle s, London, and was sufficiently renowned to be chosen as preacher before the House of Commons on 26 December, 1648. Three or four years later he moved to St Margaret s, Fish-street Hill, London, but encountered considerable opposition as he refused baptism and the Lord s Supper to those clearly unworthy of such privileges. The following years were filled with written as well as spoken ministry. In 1662 he fell victim to the notorious Act of Uniformity, but he appears to have remained in his parish and to have preached the Word as opportunity offered. Treatises continued to flow from his agile pen. In 1677 or 1678 he married for the second time, 'she spring-young, he winter-old'. Two years later he went home to his Lord.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 6, 2016
Also titled The Transcendant Excellency of a Believer's Portion above all Earthly Portions Whatsoever, this is the first book contained in Brooks' Works Volume 2. Only about 135 pages, but a gold-mine of rich spiritual treasure! Brooks eloquently looks at what it means to have God for our "portion" or possession here on earth and in eternity. He examines the kind of a portion God is in contrast to the portions of the world, the response those who possess God should have, and how to make God our portion. Very warm, practical, and devotional. Spurgeon loved Brooks, and I can well understand why.
May 13, 2024
A helpful explanation of the Lord being the believer’s portion. Found Brooks’ language surrounding the Gospel to be interesting and insightful, though relatively short in contrast to his applications for improving God as our portion.
March 1, 2021
What does it mean to have God as your own? What does it mean to know that you belong to God, and that he belongs to you? In An Ark for All God’s Noahs, Banner of Truth presents Thomas Brooks’ treatise on why our souls have hope when God is our portion.
Brooks looks at Lamentations 3:24 and takes us to the core of its truth. In doing so, he looks at it from every angle, inspecting every nook and cranny, and showing us every glorious detail.
God is Our Portion
In Part 1, he proves what a portion God is to us. Fifteen aspects are mentioned, some of my favorites including that God is present, immense, all-sufficient, safe and secure, inexhaustible, and soul-satisfying. The whole first chapter is humbling and high in praise.
In Part 2, the Grounds of Title Unto God as a Portion, Brooks says that God freely and voluntarily donates himself to his people in the covenant of grace. This language of donation was novel to me, and it makes sense in that we are undeserving and can do nothing to earn his gracious generosity.
In that same section, Brooks reminds us that we are married to God, and this is the basis for claiming God as our portion. Strikingly, Brooks states that this makes Satan envious and is constantly in opposition to us. While this sounds quite frightening, I am reassured that Christ has loved us to keep us.
Content with Little
Whatever little a son has, he has it from the special love of God. Provocatively, Brooks says that “a little from a special love is better than a great deal from a general providence.” This is how a Christian can be contented with a little. Even more so, our little that God gives us in this life will outlast whatever large gifts God gives to others.
Brooks takes this even further to say that if God is our portion, then all is ours. We have no need to be constantly wanting more here on this earth. Earthly riches are hurtful and dangerous. Brooks says that they pull us into a deep sleep of security.
Brooks next gives evidence of when God truly is a saint’s portion, and he says that all crosses, losses, and changes shall be sweetened under Christ. Hebrews 10:34 is the convincing text of his argument.
Give Yourself Wholly to God
Brooks answers several questions at the end of the book. First, how shall we know if God is our portion? One answer he gives is that you will give yourself wholly to God without any reservation.
Also, how can we make God our portion? Amongst other answers, Brooks says we must break our league with sin. He uses the language of “treason” and “rebellion” and describes God as a “jealous husband.” I appreciate how Brooks comes to capture our hearts with the glory of God.
After reading this book, I am reminded of the great treasure we have in Christ. Not only is he our ship of safety in stormy weather, but he is also our safe and secure harbor. He is where we rest. And I hope to find my satisfaction in him alone.
I received a media copy of An Ark For All God’s Noahs and this is my honest review.
Brooks looks at Lamentations 3:24 and takes us to the core of its truth. In doing so, he looks at it from every angle, inspecting every nook and cranny, and showing us every glorious detail.
God is Our Portion
In Part 1, he proves what a portion God is to us. Fifteen aspects are mentioned, some of my favorites including that God is present, immense, all-sufficient, safe and secure, inexhaustible, and soul-satisfying. The whole first chapter is humbling and high in praise.
In Part 2, the Grounds of Title Unto God as a Portion, Brooks says that God freely and voluntarily donates himself to his people in the covenant of grace. This language of donation was novel to me, and it makes sense in that we are undeserving and can do nothing to earn his gracious generosity.
In that same section, Brooks reminds us that we are married to God, and this is the basis for claiming God as our portion. Strikingly, Brooks states that this makes Satan envious and is constantly in opposition to us. While this sounds quite frightening, I am reassured that Christ has loved us to keep us.
Content with Little
Whatever little a son has, he has it from the special love of God. Provocatively, Brooks says that “a little from a special love is better than a great deal from a general providence.” This is how a Christian can be contented with a little. Even more so, our little that God gives us in this life will outlast whatever large gifts God gives to others.
Brooks takes this even further to say that if God is our portion, then all is ours. We have no need to be constantly wanting more here on this earth. Earthly riches are hurtful and dangerous. Brooks says that they pull us into a deep sleep of security.
Brooks next gives evidence of when God truly is a saint’s portion, and he says that all crosses, losses, and changes shall be sweetened under Christ. Hebrews 10:34 is the convincing text of his argument.
Give Yourself Wholly to God
Brooks answers several questions at the end of the book. First, how shall we know if God is our portion? One answer he gives is that you will give yourself wholly to God without any reservation.
Also, how can we make God our portion? Amongst other answers, Brooks says we must break our league with sin. He uses the language of “treason” and “rebellion” and describes God as a “jealous husband.” I appreciate how Brooks comes to capture our hearts with the glory of God.
After reading this book, I am reminded of the great treasure we have in Christ. Not only is he our ship of safety in stormy weather, but he is also our safe and secure harbor. He is where we rest. And I hope to find my satisfaction in him alone.
I received a media copy of An Ark For All God’s Noahs and this is my honest review.
June 7, 2022
I'm not exactly sure how to review this book. I was greatly encouraged during some difficult times by the reminder that God is my portion and the richness that entails. So, on that side, I'm very thankful for the timeliness of this book.
On the other hand, there is a fair amount of interpretation and application of OT passages that seemed shallow and off, there was a feeling of works righteousness to several parts: if you're just good enough and don't sin God is yours, and the last chapter seemed to act as if the portion can be lost, or that only if you fight hard enough (unclear if this is before or after you're saved) you can get it, maybe, or even that the portion is the emotion of assurance.
By the last chapter, I sincerely felt lost as to what and how Brooks was using the truth of God being our portion. It seemed far too dependant on me and absolutely unattainable.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It's very encouraging during difficult days to remember all we have in Christ, to be reminded to live by faith and not by sight. Just don't stop filtering what your reading or you might despair of salvation because you start looking at yourself instead of Christ.
On the other hand, there is a fair amount of interpretation and application of OT passages that seemed shallow and off, there was a feeling of works righteousness to several parts: if you're just good enough and don't sin God is yours, and the last chapter seemed to act as if the portion can be lost, or that only if you fight hard enough (unclear if this is before or after you're saved) you can get it, maybe, or even that the portion is the emotion of assurance.
By the last chapter, I sincerely felt lost as to what and how Brooks was using the truth of God being our portion. It seemed far too dependant on me and absolutely unattainable.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It's very encouraging during difficult days to remember all we have in Christ, to be reminded to live by faith and not by sight. Just don't stop filtering what your reading or you might despair of salvation because you start looking at yourself instead of Christ.
January 15, 2024
"O Christians! God is an all-sufficient portion: his power is all-sufficient to protect you; his wisdom is all-sufficient to direct you; his mercy is all-sufficient to pardon you; his goodness is all-sufficient to provide for you; his word is all-sufficient to support you and strengthen you; and his graces all-sufficient to adorn you and enrich you; and his Spirit is all-sufficient to lead you and comfort you; and what can you desire more? O sirs! God hath within himself all the good of angels, of men, and universal nature; he hath all glory, all dignity, all riches, all treasures, all pleasures, all delights, all comforts, all contents, all joys, all beatitudes in himself. All the scattered excellencies and perfections that be in the creatures are eminently, transcendently, and perfectly in him. Look, as the worth and value of many pieces of silver are contracted in one piece of gold, so all the whole volume of perfections which is spread through heaven and earth are epitomised in God, according to that old saying, Omne bonum in summo bono, all good is in the chiefest good. God is one infinite perfection in himself, which is eminently and virtually all perfections of the creatures. All the good, the excellency, the beauty and glory, that is in all created beings, are but parts of that whole that is in God; and all the good that is in them is borrowed and derived from God, who is the first cause, and the universal cause, of all that good that is in angels or men. God is a sufficient portion to secure your souls, and to supply all your wants, and to satisfy all your desires, and to answer all your expectations, and to suppress all your enemies, and, after all, to bring you to glory; and what can you desire more?"
"As God is an universal portion, so God is a safe portion, a secure portion. He is a portion that none can rob or wrong you of; he is a portion that none can touch or take from you: he is a portion that none can cheat or spoil you of. God is such a portion, that no friend, no foe, no man, no enemy, no devil can ever rob a Christian of. O Christians, God is so yours in Christ, and so yours by covenant, and so yours by promise, and so yours by purchase, and so yours by conquest, and so yours by donation, and so yours by marriage union and communion, and so yours by the earnest of the Spirit, and so yours by the feelings and witnessings of the Spirit, that no power or policy on earth can ever finger your portion, or cheat, or rob you of your portion: Ps. 48:14, 'For this God is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide even unto death.' He is not only our God for the present, nor he will not be only our God for a short time longer; oh no, but he will be our God forever and ever. If God be once thy portion, he will be forever thy portion. It must be a power that must over-match the power of God, and a strength that must be above the strength of God, that must rob or spoil a Christian of his portion; but who is there that is stronger than God? Is the clay stronger than the potter, or the stubble than the flame, or weakness than strength? yea, is not the very weakness of God stronger than man? and who then shall ever be able to take away a Christian's portion from him? Rom. 9, 1 Cor. 1:25, and chap. 10:22."
"A clear personal evidence that God is a man's portion, is a man's all in all. O sirs! This is the life of your lives, and the life of your prayers, and the life of your praises, and the life of your confidences, and the life of your mercies, and the life of your comforts, and the life of your hopes. A clear sight of your propriety in God is the very life of promises, the life of ordinances, the life of providences, the life of experiences, and the life of your gracious evidences. It is a pearl of price; it is your paradise; it is manna in a wilderness, it is water out of a rock, it is a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; it is Jacob's ladder; it is a salve for every sore, it is physic for every disease, it is a remedy against every malady; it is an anchor at sea, and a shield on shore; it is a star to guide you, a staff to support you, a sword to defend you, a pavilion to hide you, a fire to warm you, a banquet to refresh you, a city of refuge to secure you, and a cordial to cheer you; and what would you have more?"
"As God is an universal portion, so God is a safe portion, a secure portion. He is a portion that none can rob or wrong you of; he is a portion that none can touch or take from you: he is a portion that none can cheat or spoil you of. God is such a portion, that no friend, no foe, no man, no enemy, no devil can ever rob a Christian of. O Christians, God is so yours in Christ, and so yours by covenant, and so yours by promise, and so yours by purchase, and so yours by conquest, and so yours by donation, and so yours by marriage union and communion, and so yours by the earnest of the Spirit, and so yours by the feelings and witnessings of the Spirit, that no power or policy on earth can ever finger your portion, or cheat, or rob you of your portion: Ps. 48:14, 'For this God is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide even unto death.' He is not only our God for the present, nor he will not be only our God for a short time longer; oh no, but he will be our God forever and ever. If God be once thy portion, he will be forever thy portion. It must be a power that must over-match the power of God, and a strength that must be above the strength of God, that must rob or spoil a Christian of his portion; but who is there that is stronger than God? Is the clay stronger than the potter, or the stubble than the flame, or weakness than strength? yea, is not the very weakness of God stronger than man? and who then shall ever be able to take away a Christian's portion from him? Rom. 9, 1 Cor. 1:25, and chap. 10:22."
"A clear personal evidence that God is a man's portion, is a man's all in all. O sirs! This is the life of your lives, and the life of your prayers, and the life of your praises, and the life of your confidences, and the life of your mercies, and the life of your comforts, and the life of your hopes. A clear sight of your propriety in God is the very life of promises, the life of ordinances, the life of providences, the life of experiences, and the life of your gracious evidences. It is a pearl of price; it is your paradise; it is manna in a wilderness, it is water out of a rock, it is a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; it is Jacob's ladder; it is a salve for every sore, it is physic for every disease, it is a remedy against every malady; it is an anchor at sea, and a shield on shore; it is a star to guide you, a staff to support you, a sword to defend you, a pavilion to hide you, a fire to warm you, a banquet to refresh you, a city of refuge to secure you, and a cordial to cheer you; and what would you have more?"
February 23, 2024
(4.5/5)
What a comforting book for believers who are struggling. Brooks gives many reasons for believers to rejoice in God being their portion and how much greater a portion God is than anything that we get in this world. Earthly portions will pass away, but God is our portion forever.
Quotes:
"O Christians! God is an all-sufficient portion: his power is all-sufficient to protect you; his wisdom is all-sufficient to direct you; his mercy is all-sufficient to pardon you; his goodness is all-sufficient to provide for you; his word is all-sufficient to support you and strengthen you; and his grace is all-sufficient to adorn you and enrich you; and his Spirit is all-sufficient to lead you and comfort you; and what can you desire more?"
"A man that sees his propriety in God, knows that death shall be the funeral of all his sins, sorrows, afflictions, temptations, desertions, oppositions, vexations, oppressions, and persecutions" Hallelujah! Amen!
"...men whose hearts are worldly...whose desires are worldly...and whose main ends are worldly, have only the world for their portion; and what a pitiful perishing portion is that!"
What a comforting book for believers who are struggling. Brooks gives many reasons for believers to rejoice in God being their portion and how much greater a portion God is than anything that we get in this world. Earthly portions will pass away, but God is our portion forever.
Quotes:
"O Christians! God is an all-sufficient portion: his power is all-sufficient to protect you; his wisdom is all-sufficient to direct you; his mercy is all-sufficient to pardon you; his goodness is all-sufficient to provide for you; his word is all-sufficient to support you and strengthen you; and his grace is all-sufficient to adorn you and enrich you; and his Spirit is all-sufficient to lead you and comfort you; and what can you desire more?"
"A man that sees his propriety in God, knows that death shall be the funeral of all his sins, sorrows, afflictions, temptations, desertions, oppositions, vexations, oppressions, and persecutions" Hallelujah! Amen!
"...men whose hearts are worldly...whose desires are worldly...and whose main ends are worldly, have only the world for their portion; and what a pitiful perishing portion is that!"
July 1, 2023
This book is 260 pages(in my version) of expounding on Lamentations 3:24, ‘the Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I have hope in him’. It is a book full of challenges, encouragements, comforts and warnings. I enjoyed marking off many sentences and paragraphs for easy access to go back and read highlights. I would recommend this book.
Having said all that, it is also possible that while finding so much blessing one can also find more than a few statements that seem rather, well, perhaps silly in their application, or even taking license in interpreting a verse into a context it really wasn’t meant for. I don’t need to give examples to prove my own point, and I’m not overly critical by any means, overall this is a wonderful book worth slogging through and finding gems for yourself. But it’s not perfect in all it says, and that’s ok I’m not either.
Having said all that, it is also possible that while finding so much blessing one can also find more than a few statements that seem rather, well, perhaps silly in their application, or even taking license in interpreting a verse into a context it really wasn’t meant for. I don’t need to give examples to prove my own point, and I’m not overly critical by any means, overall this is a wonderful book worth slogging through and finding gems for yourself. But it’s not perfect in all it says, and that’s ok I’m not either.
December 19, 2021
A worthwhile treatise on the need to have God as one’s portion, the supremacy and sufficiency of God as one’s portion in comparison with all other portions, and the benefits of having God as one’s portion.
“O Christians! God is an all-sufficient portion: His power is all-sufficient to protect you; His wisdom is all-sufficient to direct you; His mercy is all-sufficient to pardon you; His goodness is all-sufficient to provide for you; His word is all-sufficient to support you and strengthen you; and His grace is all-sufficient to adorn you and enrich you; and His Spirit is all-sufficient to lead you and comfort you; and what can you desire more?” -Thomas Brooks
“O Christians! God is an all-sufficient portion: His power is all-sufficient to protect you; His wisdom is all-sufficient to direct you; His mercy is all-sufficient to pardon you; His goodness is all-sufficient to provide for you; His word is all-sufficient to support you and strengthen you; and His grace is all-sufficient to adorn you and enrich you; and His Spirit is all-sufficient to lead you and comfort you; and what can you desire more?” -Thomas Brooks
May 7, 2023
“There is nothing but vanity and uncertainty in all earthly portions" and "there is no earthly portion that can suit an immortal soul" BUT God is a "soul-satisfying portion," an "all sufficient portion," an "inexhaustible portion," an "incomprehensible portion," and more. Thomas Brooks demonstrates just how and why this is so.
A bit repetitive at times but with purpose. Thomas Brooks digs out the best illustrations, whether from the Bible, Church history, or from Greco-Roman history and mythology (Plutarch must have been a favorite for Brooks).
A bit repetitive at times but with purpose. Thomas Brooks digs out the best illustrations, whether from the Bible, Church history, or from Greco-Roman history and mythology (Plutarch must have been a favorite for Brooks).
February 8, 2022
This book was such an encouragement. Thomas Brooks starts with a question “if God is your portion” and proceeds to document the wonderful attributes of God. Of course it would take an ocean of ink to record all of God‘s wonderful attributes so this is obviously only a summary. When you focus on God and not yourself, it is such a reminder that it’s not about us it’s all about Him. As John the Baptist said, “I must decrease and He must increase.”
July 23, 2022
You can say that Thomas Brooks went overboard in his continual proving that Christians have the best portion in having God Himself as their portion. Contentment in this life is difficult to attain. But the more a Christian truly realizes what he has in Christ, his desire for all else pales and grows dim.
"O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalm 16:5, 6)
"O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalm 16:5, 6)
February 27, 2025
An extended meditation on the idea of having God as our portion (Lam. 3:24) in light of his attributes. These meditations are profound and sometimes even startlingly provocative (e.g. extending Isaiah’s anthropomorphism of Jerusalem in Isa. 66 to God himself: “the more you draw at the breast of God, the more milk of grace and comfort will flow in upon you”). Lots of gospel encouragement and exhortations in these pages, especially for one passing through trials. One example: “A Christian counts it his only happiness to enjoy his God, and his only unhappiness to be deprived of him.” I would have given it five stars if Brooks was less repetitive with his points and explanations.
May 2, 2022
Great book! The Lord is our portion!
July 12, 2022
Really sweet book on meditating on the truth of God being our portion. Very deep and rich!
February 16, 2023
Good content, though a bit redundant. I think this book would be particularly helpful in outline form as a prayer guide, rather than the larger volume that it is.
June 2, 2025
I love Thomas Brooks! The first few chapters were really good. The rest of the book seemed very repetitive
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews