Humility: The Least of All the Saints

by Thomas Brooks, Dustin W. Benge (Editor)

Thomas Brooks said, "Oh! Labor every day to be more humble and more low and little in your own eyes." A significant concern for Brooks was how believers viewed themselves after they became Christians. After all, inheriting eternal life, gaining the riches of grace, being in favor with God may cause the recipient to be puffed up with pride, much like the Pharisees and religious leaders of the New Testament. But for Brooks, the true Christian is more willing to wash the feet of others than to have his feet washed. The believer who desires to walk in humility views themselves through the lens of Christ, who bore the cross in shame and disgrace to purchase salvation for sinners. A humble heart serves. A humble heart loves. A humble heart recognizes that not even a crumb of mercy is deserved. You are about to embark on a journey of the soul. Brooks enters every room of your heart and applies Scripture to clean out the cobwebs of bitterness, pride, and self-righteousness. You will be challenged, changed, and connected to the fountain from which all humility flows.

106 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2021

About the author

Little 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.

Reviews

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always like a good Puritan book, and this one did not disappoint. Brooks is a coherent and thorough writer. Not sure how much the editor polished up the writing but it was a good quick read with several good points.

[Zach Hollifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Humility is the beauty of grace.”

[Michael Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshment for the soul.