The Works of Thomas Goodwin, vol. 2
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Volume Two of The Works of Thomas Goodwin concludes his verse-by-verse exposition of the book of Ephesians. The second half of the volume contains an exposition of James 1:1–5, entitled “Patience and Its Perfect Work: Under Sudden and Sore Trials.” The volume also includes Thomas Goodwin’s lengthy memoirs, which recount his childhood, education, ministry, and the experiences that informed his writings and commentaries.
Top Highlights
“That to have our graces, especially to have our faith and patience tried and drawn forth and exercised in us, to the glory of God, is the greatest blessedness of a Christian in this life.” (Page 431)
“My brethren, when God first began to love you, he gave you all that he ever meant to give you in the lump, and eternity of time is that in which he is retailing of it out.” (Page 167)
“to have grace that accompanies salvation is the greatest mercy can befall any one in the world;” (Page 431)
“but all the holiness and works we have do not serve for the right,” (Page 336)
“the same will openly appear to all the world at latter day” (Page 432)
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
- Title: The Works of Thomas Goodwin, vol. 2
- Author: Thomas Goodwin
- Publisher: James Nichol
- Publication Date: 1861
- Pages: 467
Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680) 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.