r whether he had any family; but his wife-whose name was indeed a 'help-meet,'-a woman of high-toned yet principle, and all but the idol of her husband. She nd her Funeral Sermon was preached by (probably) Dr 3, of Norwich. Some extracts are added in our Appendix, hich were no doubt furnished by Brooks himself.1 aced, because conscience-placed, among the 'Ejected' of nevertheless remaining a Christ-anointed 'Preacher of the y continued his ministry within his Parish. Evidently, ve to their beloved and honoured Pastor, for to the praise it said, the very life-blood of the different Churches 'two thousand' flowed into the humbler 'chapels' and of the enforced Nonconformists. Brooks's chapel' e near his old Church in Fish-street, called the 'Pavelds. The only memorial that remains of it is preserved SS. in the custody of the Williams Library, London— a Rev. Josiah Thompson-but it consists of a mere blunript of Calamy's blunders.' He gives Brooks as the e congregation, but dates it from 1660 or the Restoration, oved by his preaching his 'Farewell Sermon' in St Mar62.3 Here our 'Confessor,' now growing old, continued amistakeable, intense, powerful, and 'savoury' exhibition 'The Gospel;' and as in brighter days, he issued volume which bore the same characteristics and met with the è as of old.' For proof, in his address to the 'Reader' 'Privy Key of Heaven' (1665), he was able to say grateof the reasons for again publishing, 'That favour, that ace and fair quarter, that my other poor labours have y in this Nation but in other countries also, hath put me pen to paper once more." Even in the year of sore trial could say, 'My former poor labours and endeavours eptable to some of all ranks and degrees, and they have some of all ranks and degrees; and I have been encour, and stirred up by some on all hands, once more to cast M in my net, and now Il on MSS. give details of the after-history of Brooks's congregation. Reeve few years the rage' against Nonconformists flung him into Newgate s of the 'godly:' he died in 1686, never having recovered from the effects us imprisonment. He was succeeded in 1686 by Richard Taylor, who Hall followed in 1718, and died in 1762; and he again was succeeded ler, grandfather, I believe, of the amiable poet Josiah Conder. Other be gleaned, but these must suffice: except perhaps this small bit of e Rev. James Spong of London, whose congregation claims to represent is possession the Communion flagons' or cups, bearing an inscription they were a gift to the church of Mr Thomas Brooks.' and otherwise, intimat eace Many made hit Fag, he winter-old. le afterwards, viz. o Ep. Dedy, to 'Crown of A Yaze 2. 3 S-e MEMOIR OF THOMAS BROOKS. in my net, and now I have done it." Thus was it unto the end 1675, in the Epistle Dedicatory' to the 'Golden Key,' he use the same language: 'I must confess that that general acceptar my former labours have found, both in the Nation and in foreign and that singular blessing that has attended them from on hig been none of the least encouragements to me once more to cas mite into the common treasury." His 'Crown and Glory of tianity,' a large massive quarto, appeared also in 1662; his 'Pri of Heaven,' and 'A Heavenly Cordial for the Plague,' in 16 'Cabinet of Jewels,' in 1669; his 'London's Lamentations,' in and his 'Golden Key' and his 'Paradise Opened,' in 1676. ever about his Father's business;' his life a consecrated and b almost flaming one. Little casual references in 'Epistles Dedi and otherwise, intimate engagements elsewhere, and 'absence 'the press' so as to be unable to correct errata. And so the like man went 'in and out,' a 'workman' needing not 'to be as Through all the terrible 'Plague' year, which Defoe has made im he was at his post, winning thereby a golden word in the R Baxteriana. After the equally appalling 'Fire,' he stood for another Ezekiel in his terrors, and yet soft as Jeremiah in his e lations with the still careless, rejecting, neglecting. As he grew mellowed tenderly and winningly. He had 'troops of friends 'Epistles Dedicatory' and incidental notices inform us of intim lowship with the foremost names of the period for worth and lence. Many made him their Almoner of 'monies,' especially the dread '1662' and '1666.' His own circumstances placed comfort and ease. Our Story of this venerable Puritan is well-nigh told. Beh activities of his more public life there was a second marriage, as i appear, about 1677-78. In his 'Will' he lovingly speaks of he 'dear and honoured wife whom God hath made all relations to one.' Her name was Cartwright. Theirs was a brief union; she young, he winter-old. He drew up his 'Last Testament' on 20., 1680. It is a very characteristic document, repeating befo lished quaint words. It will be found in our Appendix. H little afterwards, viz. on September 27., aged 72. John Re particular acquaintance and companion in sufferings, for con sake, preached his Funeral Sermon.' It was published; and sums up the character of the fine old man and 'faithful mini Jesus Christ: Now, to close up, in commemoration of our dear friend d who lived so desired, and died so lamented, I shall modestly an 1 Ep. Dedy, to 'Crown of Glory,' pages 6, 7. 1 Page 2. 4 See 3 See this Volume, page 455, et alibi. arks about his personal and ministerial endowments to is personal endowments, he was certainly, n of a very sweet nature and temper: so affable, and cheerful, that he gained upon all that conversed with y taxed him with any pride or moroseness, or distantialriage, it must be only such as did not know him. He a way with him, he might bid himself welcome into ise he entered. Pride and moroseness are bad qualities is employ, and make men afraid of the ways of God, for ld never enjoy a good day after. n of a very great gravity: and could carry a majesty in there was occasion, and make the least guilt tremble in with his very countenance. I never knew a man better e dreaded. God had given him such a spirit with power, frowns were darts, and his reproofs sharper than swords. contemn familiarity, but hated that familiarity that bred m of a very large charity. He had large bowels, and at a great dexterity in the opening of the bowels of others, own, to works of mercy, that I think I may say there is in England that hath more often and more liberal conpoor ministers and other poor Christians than this is, he proportion of their abilities. on of a wonderful patience. Notwithstanding the many ad infirmities, which for a long time have been continually, ng as it were, trying their skill to pull down his frail body ad at last effected it, yet I never heard an impatient word n. When I came to visit him, and asked him, 'How do answered, Pretty well: I bless God I am well, I am h the will of my Father: my Father's will and mine is It made me often think of that Isaiah xxxiii. 24, 'The all not say, I am sick the people that dwell therein shall heir iniquity.' Sense of pardon took away sense of sick on of a very strong faith in the promises of both worlds: not be otherwise, being such a continual student in the e feared nothing of himself or others, knowing the proa of God would stand firm, and the Head of the Church the safety of all his members, here and hereafter. his ministerial endowments, he was perienced minister. From the heart to the heart; from e to the conscience. He had a body of Divinity in his power of it upon his heart. 2. A laborious min not satisfied till he coul task of a minister of Ci they were very hardly a 5. And now he is o he is vet useful to the We introduce our Worth 2. A laborious minister: as his works in press and pulpit deniable witness of. To preach so often, and print so much, a not satisfied till he could imprint also his works upon the hearts people; which is the best way of printing that I know, and the g task of a minister of Christ. 3. He was a minister who delighted in his work. It was hi and drink to labour in that great work, insomuch that under his ness he would be often preaching of little sermons—as he called t to those that came to visit him, even when by reason of his dis they were very hardly able to understand them. 4. He was a successful minister: the instrument in the h God for the conversion of many souls about this City and elsew] 5. And now he is at rest. And though he is gone, he is no he is yet useful to the Church of God, and being dead he yet by his example and writings, which were very profitable and spi This modest, unexaggerated, heart-full portraiture is worthy man as the man was, with emphasis, worthy of it. It were to b sharp, nice lines to add of our own fainter and distant word deem them fitting close to our Memoir. A single other sentence. There is no accredited portrait of Granger mentions one as being on the title-page of his 'Unsea Riches,' but we have the whole of the editions, and there is no whatever. Doubtless the Historian mis-remembered and was th of the small unsatisfactory miniature prefixed, along with nu others, to some of the collections of the 'Farewell Sermons.' we introduce our Worthy and his Books: one who, while living, a under the great Task-master's eye,' wore in all simpleness and t The grand old name of gentleman, And soiled with all ignoble use.'-[In Memoriam, c. x.] LIVERPOOL. ALEXANDER B. GROS APPENDIX TO MEMOIR. versy on appointment to St Margaret's, Fish Street: See xxi, xxxiv, et alibi. CASES CONSIDERED and RESOLVED. WHEREIN All the tender godly conscientious Ministers in England (Whether for a Congregationall, or a Presbyteriall way) are concerned. OR Pills to Purge Malignants. And all prophane, ignorant, and scandalous persons. (But more particularly Calculated for the Meridian of Margarets Fishstreet-hill) from those gross conceits bat they have of their Children's right to Baptisme; and of their owne right to the Supper of the Lord, &c. ALSO Good Councell to bad men. Or friendly advise (in severall particulars) to unfriendly Neighbours. By THOMAS BROOKS, a willing Servant unto God, and the Faith of his People, in the glorious Gospel of Christ, at Margarets Fishstreet-hill. [allem ruere cum Christo, quam regnare cum Cæsare. Luther. i veritas est causa discordiæ mori possum tacere non possum. Jerome. LONDON: rinted by M. Simmons, for John Hancock and are to be sold at the first Shop in Popes-Head-Alley, next to Corn hill 1653. TO THE CONSCIENTIOUS READER. d is full of books; and of how many may it be said, that proclaim the vanity of the writer, and procure weariness, tion, to the reader, in this knowing and censorious age! e written is out of faithfulness to Christ, and love to souls. =shall prove advantageous for the internal and eternal poor souls, I shall count it reward enough. I doubt not at are spiritual will find something of the Spirit in what for that cause will relish and love it, though others may and at the greater distance from it. Surely, where truth children of truth will entertain it, and ask nobody leave. s, they that have least right to ordinances do make the se in crying out for ordinances. God's ordinances are choice wet too often cast before swine, which, doubtless, hath proord to shed the blood of many among us who have un 1 worthily drunk the bl to a close. me amongst men. Lame, Omnia si perda ps nullus eris, i. e to preserve that jewel Blot and blur my name desire them frequently pilens detrahit fa Willingly takes from m Mat v. 11, 12. The re -conscience-singing, fall the trials that do Siathly, That other judge that there are ot an indeed there is. eighteen things, others gainst me; and all th emptible in the world, Seventhly, That the of their stamp, may b The French have this pr pien girdle. [For Omnia |