The Works of Thomas Brooks, Volume 1

by Thomas Brooks, Alexander Balloch Grosart (Editor/Contributor)

Genres: Theology

468 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1866

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

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 1 of Brooks' Works, contains some of his most works, the classics: Precious Remedies; Apples of Gold, and The Mute Christian. Brooks is intensely pastoral and abound with citations from countless authors. He is fond of historical allusions and illustrations taken from the natural world. This dates frequently dates him because many of his illustrations were taken from the natural histories of his day which were full of incorrect biological and geographical information. Nevertheless, the points of his illustrations are true regardless of the faulty illustrations. His works are highly recommended.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read dates:

Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices:
1. January 2009
2. January 2019

Apples of Gold:
1. March 2019

The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod:
1. April 2019

A String of Pearls:
1. April 2019

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Every Time

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to review a compendium of shorter works. Brooks is very readable. I've made it a goal to read one of the big collected works from the English Puritans each year devotionally. Of course I miss some days, but read slowly these works are incredibly rich. Of the little I have read of Swinnock, Owen, and Flavel, Brooks is close to Swinnock in terms of readability. Owen is incredibly rich, but difficult at times. Vol. 1 of Flavel was tough sledding for me. That said, all of them will yield rich fruit if you put in the work.

Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices begins this volume and it is truly a must read. I cannot recommend it more highly for all believers. "Beloved in our dearest Lord, Christ, the Scripture, your own hearts, and Satan's devices are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched." Brooks particularly examines the last of those 4, but the other 3 are there as well. Brooks is at the same time convicting and encouraging. Devotionally, you could read just a couple of pages and be edified. It's simply so rich. And, very readable even in the older English!

The other 3 works in this book, Apples of Gold, The Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod, and A String of Pearls are worthwhile but not as good as the first. A String of Pearls is probably the best as Brooks meditates on how God reserves the best for last for believers in heaven. Some good devotional thoughts on believers facing death with joy, knowing that God will call us home only when his work with us is done. Until then, in Whitefield's words, we are immortal until he says so!

So, read Precious Remedies! It really is that good. For me, I'll be looking back to Swinnock for 2026.

[Kyle Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices