One grain of grace is of far greater worth, than all the
gold of Ophir and all the silver of the Indies—which are
but the guts and garbage of the earth. The gleanings,
the smallest gatherings of the riches of Christ, are far
better, more excellent, more satisfying, more contenting,
more ravishing—than all the riches of this world. Riches
are called thick clay, Hab. 2:6, which will sooner break
the back, than lighten the heart. The wise merchant,
Matthew 13:44-45, parts with all to gain this Pearl of
great price. The truth is, other riches are but a burden.
Genesis 13:2, "Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold."
The Hebrew is, "He was very heavy in cattle, in silver, and in gold"—
to signify, that riches are but heavy burdens.
Pheraulus, a poor man, on whom Cyrus bestowed so much,
that he knew not what to do with his riches—being wearied
out with care in keeping of them—he desired rather to live
quietly, though poor, as he had done before, than to possess
all those riches with discontent. Therefore he gave away all
his wealth, desiring only to enjoy so much as might supply
his necessities.
Let worldly professors think seriously of this story and blush.
A little will satisfy nature,
less will satisfy grace,
nothing will satisfy men's lusts.
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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.