A Word to the Reader

Dear Friend — Solomon tells us to buy the truth (Proverbs 23:23), but he does not tell us what it will cost, because we must have it however dear the price. We must love it both when it shines and when it burns. Every particle of truth is precious, like gold filings; we must either live by it or die for it. As Ruth said to Naomi, "Wherever you go I will go, and wherever you lodge I will lodge, and nothing but death will part you and me" (Ruth 1:16–17), so gracious souls must say: wherever truth goes I will go, and wherever truth lodges I will lodge, and nothing but death will part me from the truth. A man may lawfully sell his house, land, and jewels, but truth is a jewel beyond all price, and must never be sold. It is our inheritance: "Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever" (Psalm 119:111). It is a legacy our forefathers bought with their blood, which should make us willing to lay down anything, and spend anything, that we, like the wise merchant in the Gospel (Matthew 13:45), might purchase this precious pearl — worth more than heaven and earth, and able to make a man live happily, die peacefully, and reign forever.

And now, if you please, read the work, and receive this counsel from me.

First, you must understand that not every man who is useful can also be excellent. An iron key may unlock the door to a golden treasure — indeed, iron can do some things gold cannot.

Second, remember that it is not hasty reading but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's mere touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her lingering on the flower that draws out the sweetness. It is not the man who reads the most, but the man who meditates the most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian.

Third, know that it is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man, but the doing man, who will in the end be found the happiest man. "If you know these things, blessed and happy are you if you do them" (John 13:17). "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Judas called Christ Lord, Lord, and yet betrayed him, and has gone to his own place. Ah, how many Judases we have in these days — who kiss Christ and yet betray him; who profess him in their words but deny him in their works; who bow the knee to him and yet despise him in their hearts; who call him Jesus and yet will not obey him as their Lord.

Reader, if it is not pressed upon your heart to practice what you read, to what end do you read? Only to increase your own condemnation? If your light and knowledge are not turned into practice, then the more you know, the more miserable you will be on the day of reckoning; your light and knowledge will torment you more than all the devils in hell. Your knowledge will become the rod that lashes you forever, the scorpion that stings you forever, the worm that gnaws you forever. So read, and labor to know, that you may do — or else you are undone forever. When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of oratory, what the second, what the third, he answered: delivery. I might say the same. If anyone asked me what is the first, second, and third part of being a Christian, I would answer: action. For the man who reads that he may know, and labors to know that he may do, will have two heavens — a heaven of joy, peace, and comfort on earth, and a heaven of glory and happiness after death.

Fourth and last, if as you read you cast a careful eye on the margin notes, you will find many sweet and precious remarks that will often shed light on what you are reading, and repay your effort with much comfort and profit. So, desiring that you may find as much sweetness and benefit in reading this treatise as I, by heaven's overshadowing grace, have found in studying and writing it, I commend you "to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). And I remain, reader,

Your soul's servant in every office of the gospel,

Thomas Brooks.