Christian Book Notes

Brooks, Thomas.  Smooth Stones Taken from Ancient Brooks: Selections from the Writings of Thomas Brooks by C.H. Spurgeon.  Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2011.  204 pp.  $11.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $8.25.

Introduction/Summary

This book is difficult to summarize as you will see in a few moments.  Thus, I have decided to introduce it and summarize it at the same time.  I first encountered this book while reading the two volume Charles Spurgeon autobiography.  I remembered thinking how having Spurgeon’s selections of Thomas Brooks’ sayings would be enlightening to read.  I was correct.  If I recall properly, Spurgeon started compiling these for his wife, Susannah.  What is now published in this edition is what Spurgeon published in the 19th century.

In essence, this book is 192 pages of little quotes, sayings, illustrations, and phrases of Thomas Brooks selected from his 6-volume set.

Review

Do not read this book with a pen in hand.  You will basically be underling everything!  Each little quip, phrase, or illustration will draw you into meditation upon the Lord.  You can quite literally open the book to any page and begin reading and you will find your heart moved to praise and worship or repentance or, well, you get the idea.  I could not put the book down, except when I wanted to stop and pray, which made for some late nights.  Reading Smooth Stones also gave some insight into how Spurgeon himself thought.

Recommendation

I thoroughly enjoyed Smooth Stones and I believe you will, too.  If you know someone who has never read the Puritans, this book would make an excellent introduction.  Even more, it can be used as a sort of mini-devotional throughout your day.  The book is small enough to fit into a briefcase or purse and, unlike the Bible where context is king, would offer great meditative thoughts to chew on during your day.  (I am not saying this should supplant your Bible reading!)

Introducing

THE NEWEST PURITAN PAPERBACK

Smooth Stones Taken From Ancient Brooks Selections from the Writings of Thomas Brooks by C.H. Spurgeon   “As a writer, Brooks scatters stars with both his hands: he hath dust of gold; in his storehouse are all manner of precious stones.”  So wrote C.H. Spurgeon in his Preface to this book.  He counted Thomas Brooks among his favourite Puritan authors, and it is not hard to see why.  Brooks’ popularity lies both in his subjects – practical truths, central to the Christian life – and in the manner of his presentation.  He is ever direct, urgent, fervent, full of Scripture, and able to choose words which make his sentences stick in one’s mind. This book is a collection of sentences, illustrations, and quaint sayings from this renowned Puritan.  Gathered by Spurgeon out of the 6 volume set of Brooks’ Works, it remains an excellent introduction to both the man and his writings. Smooth Stones Taken From Ancient Brooks Selections from the Writings of Thomas Brooks by C.H. Spurgeon 978-1-84871-1136 … 204 pages … $11.00 (U.S.); £5.75 (U.K.)

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Brooks, Thomas.  United We Stand.  Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009.  64 pp.  $6.00.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $4.20.

Introduction

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680), was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1640 while serving as a naval chaplain for seven years. became minister at the church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Queen Street, London (1648-1651). He was often called to preach before Parliament. In 1652, he became rector of St. Margaret’s, New Fish Street Hill, which was the first church that burned to the ground in the Great Fire of London (1666). You can purchase his various books (all reprinted by Banner of Truth) at a discounted price here.

Summary

This little 64 page book from the Pocket Puritan Series being published by Banner of Truth is taken from his larger work Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices. Here, we read of 12 remedies against one of Satan’s most evident devices to destroy the church–division. All over the Christian landscape we see division within the body. This camp argues for a more conservative understanding of man’s choice and God’s sovereignty, that camp thinks drums ought to be used in worship, this camp over here thinks the carpet should be blue and not red.

It is abundantly clear that the Christian church needs to come together and be united so that Satan will not be able to prevail against those individuals that he has. These 12 remedies (read it to find them out) are rooted in Scripture and most certainly apply to us today.

Review/Recommendation

This little booklet will only whet the appetite of the reader. Once the clear teaching and application of God’s word from a divine like Boston is understood, the reader will want to drink further from his well. United We Stand offers a brief look at the strategies of Satan and the means by which God has offered us to stand against him as a body with Christ as our head.

I would greatly recommend this resource to any pastor or church leader who 1) wants to prevent Satan from sneaking into the church through the means of division or 2) has experienced a recent division in a church and wants to better equip the saints to avoid another one. This 64 page book makes a great study for church leadership or Sunday School or even in the home.