The Works of Thomas Goodwin, vol. 4

by Thomas Goodwin

Publisher:

James Nichol

, 1862

Overview

Volume Four contains Thomas Goodwin’s general theological works, including treatises on Christ, on the relationship between Christianity and sin, and the glory of God represented in the Gospels. The second half of the volume is also devoted to a lengthy synopsis of the means by which we come to know God, the relationship between the Son and the Father, and the various divine attributes.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Love descends better than ascends, and so doth the love of Christ, who indeed is love itself, and therefore comes down to us himself; ‘I will come again and receive you unto myself’ (says Christ), ‘that so where I am, you may be also.’ That last part of his speech gives the reason of it, and withal bewrays his entire affection. It is as if he had said, The truth is, I cannot live without you, I shall never be quiet till I have you where I am, that so we may never part again; that is the reason of it. Heaven shall not hold me, nor my Father’s company, if I have not you with me, my heart is so set upon you; and if I have any glory, you shall have part of it.” (Page 100)

“Secondly, There is comfort concerning such infirmities, in that your very sins move him to pity more than to anger.” (Page 149)

“But certainly, no loving husband ever endeavoured more to satisfy the heart of his spouse during his absence, than Christ doth his disciples’ hearts, and in them all believers.” (Pages 98–99)

“I have chosen this text, as that which above any other speaks his heart most, and sets out the frame and workings of it towards sinners; and that so sensibly that it doth, as it were, take our hands, and lay them upon Christ’s breast, and let us feel how his heart beats and his bowels yearn towards us, even now he is in glory—the very scope of these words being manifestly to encourage believers against all that may discourage them, from the consideration of Christ’s heart towards them now in heaven.” (Page 111)

“This the apostle carefully pre-occupates; and it is the very objection which he takes away. ‘We have not a high priest who cannot,’ &c. Duplex negatio aquipollet affirmationi; nay, two negatives do not only make an affirmative, but affirm more strongly: they make an affirmation contradictory to a contrary and opposite thought.” (Page 112)

Praise for the Print Edition

He speaks the intimacies of things from an inward sense and feeling of them in his own heart, to the particular cases and experiences of others.

—James Barron

Product Details

• Title: The Works of Thomas Goodwin, vol. 4
• Author: Thomas Goodwin
• Publisher: James Nichol
• Publication Date: 1862
• Pages: 569

About Thomas Goodwin

Thomas Goodwin (October 5, 1600–February 23, 1680) was an English Puritan theologian and preacher. He was born in Norfolk in England as the oldest son of Richard and Catherine Goodwin. At the age of six, Goodwin, in his own words, “began to have some slighter workings of the Holy Spirit.” He attended Christ’s College in Cambridge, and was ordained as a preacher in 1625 and as a lecturer at Trinity Church in 1633.

In 1634, he resigned and in 1639 was forced to flee to the Netherlands to escape persecution.

After Goodwin returned to England, he became a member of the Westminster Assembly, and frequently preached in Parliament. In 1656, he also became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Along with John Owen, Thomas Goodwin was instrumental in writing the Westminster Confession of 1658.

In 1660, Goodwin returned to London and served as pastor of Fetter Lane Independent Church, where he remained until his death.