in ray net, and now I have done it/1 Thus was it unto the end: for in 1 675, in the ' Epistle Dedicatory ' to the ' Golden Key,' he uses much the same language: 'I must confess that that general acceptance that my former labours have found, both in the Nation and in foreign parts ; and that singular blessing that has attended them from on high, hath been none of the least encouragements to me once more to cast in my mite into the common treasury/2 His ' Crown and Glory of Chris- tianity,' a large massive quarto, appeared also in 1662; his 'Privy Key of Heaven,' and 'A Heavenly Cordial for the Plague/ in 1665 ; his 'Cabinet of Jewels/ in 1669; his 'London's Lamentations,' in 1670; and his 'Golden Key' and his 'Paradise Opened,' in 1676. He was ever 'about his Father's business \ his life a consecrated and burning, almost flaming one. Little casual references in ' Epistles Dedicatory ' and otherwise, intimate engagements elsewhere, and ' absences ' from ' the press ' so as to be unable to correct errata. And so the Christ- like man went 'in and out/ a 'workman' needing not 'to be ashamed.' Through all the terrible 'Plague' year, which Defoe has made immortal he was at his post, winning thereby a golden word in the Reliquia} Baxterianoe. After the equally appalling ' Fire/ he stood forth like anotlier Ezekiel in his terrors, and yet soft as Jeremiah in his expostu- lations with the still careless, rejecting, neglecting. As he grew old he mellowed tenderly and winningly. He had 'troops of friends.' The ' Epistles Dedicatory ' and incidental notices inform us of intimate fel- lowship with the foremost names of the period for worth and benevo- lence. Many made him their Almoner of ' monies,' especially during the dread '1662' and '1666/ His own circumstances placed him in comfort and ease.
Our Story of this venerable Puritan is well-nigh told. Behind the activities of his more public life there was a second marriage, as it would appear, about 1677-78. In his ' Will ' he lovingly speaks of her as his ' dear and honoured wife whom God hath made all relations to meet in one/ Her name was Cartwright. Theirs was a brief union ; she spring- young, he winter-old. He drew up his ' Last Testament ' on March 20., 1680. It is a very characteristic document, repeating before-pub- lished quaint words.3 It will be found in our Appendix. He died a little afterwards, viz. on September 27., aged 72/ John Reeve, his particular acquaintance and companion in sufferings, for conscience' sake, preached his 'Funeral Sermon.' It was published ; and thus he sums up the character of the fine old man and ' faithful minister ' of Jesus Christ : —
' Now, to close up, in commemoration of our dear friend deceased, who lived so desired, and died so lamented, I shall modestly and truly
1 Ep. Dedy. to ' Crown of Glory,' pages 6, 7.
2 Page 2. 3 See this Volume, page 455, et alibi. * See E.
XXXVI MEMOIR OF THOMAS BROOKS.
offer some remarks about his personal and ministerial endowments to your view.
' First, For his personal endowments, he was certainly,
' 1. A person of a very sweet nature and temper : so affable, and courteous, and cheerful, that he gained upon all that conversed with him ; and if any taxed him with any pride or moroseness, or distantial- ness in his carriage, it must be only such as did not know him. He had so winning a way with him, he might bid himself welcome into whatsoever house he entered. Pride and moroseness are bad qualities for a man of his employ, and make men afraid of the ways of God, for fear they should never enjoy a good day after.
' 2. A person of a very great gravity : and could carry a majesty in his face when there was occasion, and make the least guilt tremble in his presence with his very countenance. I never knew a man better loved, nor more dreaded. God had given him such a spirit with power, that his very frowns were darts, and his reproofs sharper than swords. He would not contemn familiarity, but hated that familiarity that bred contempt.
' 3. A person of a very large charity. He had large bowels, and a large heart ; a great dexterity in the opening of the bowels of others, as well as his own, to works of mercy, that I think I may say there is not a Church in England that hath more often and more liberal con- tributions for poor ministers and other poor Christians than this is, according to the proportion of their abilities.
' 4. A person of a wonderful patience. Notwithstanding the many Aveaknesses and infirmities, which for a long time have been continually, without ceasing as it were, trying their skill to pull down his frail body to the dust, and at last effected it, yet I never heard an impatient word drop from him. When I came to visit him, and asked him, ' How do you, Sir ?' he answered, ' Pretty well : I bless God I am well, I am contented with the will of my Father : my Father's will and mine is but one will.' It made me often think of that Isaiah xxxiii. 24, ' The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick : the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity/ Sense of pardon took away sense of sick- ness.
' 5. A person of a very strong faith in the promises of both worlds : and he could not be otherwise, being such a continual student in the Covenant. He feared nothing of himself or others, knowing the pro- mise and oath of God would stand firm, and the Head of the Church would see to the safety of all his members, here and hereafter. Secondly, For his ministerial endowments, he was
1 1. An experienced minister. From the heart to the heart ; from the conscience to the conscience. He had a body of Divinity in his head, and the power of it upon his heart.
MEMOIR OF THOMAS BROOKS. XXXvii
' 2. A laborious minister : as his works in press and pulpit are un- deniable witness of. To preach so often, and print so much, and yet not satisfied till he could imprint also his works upon the hearts of his people ; which is the best way of printing that I know, and the greatest task of a minister of Christ.
' 3. He was a minister who delighted in his tvork. It was his meat and drink to labour in that great work, insomuch that under his weak- ness he would be often preaching of little sermons — as he called them— to those that came to visit him, even when by reason of his distemper they were very hardly able to understand them.
' 4. He was a successful minister : the instrument in the hand of God for the conversion of many souls about this City and elsewhere.
' 5. And now he is at rest. And though he is gone, he is not lost ; he is yet useful to the Church of God, and being dead he yet speaks by his example and writings, which were very profitable and spiritual.'
This modest, unexaggerated, heart-full portraiture is worthy of the man as the man was, with emphasis, worthy of it. It were to blur the sharp, nice lines to add of our own fainter and distant words. We deem them fitting close to our Memoir.