The Works Of Thomas Goodwin Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861 edition. Excerpt: ... things; and as things are framed and fashioned, so they must frame their counsels; but with God it is otherwise, he frameth things according to the counsel of his own will, he adviseth with none: ' Who hath been his counsellor?' Rom. rL 34. In the third place, it is called the counsel of his own will, to shew that in casting whatsoever he meaneth to do, his will hath the supreme stroke. Still you shall find it in the Scripture, that all is attributed to his will; and observe the phrase here, it is not called the will of his counsel, but it is called rather the counsel of his will, --it is the observation of Catherinus and Musculus upon the place, --to shew the difference between man's will and God's. The law of man's will is still to be determined by the understanding, so that the will of a man is the will of his counsel. My brethren, when God considered whether he would make a world or no, the consultation was not whether it was best to make it or not to make it. Why 1 Because there was no best to God to do the one or the other; there is the greatest reason for it that can be, for it was all one to him whether he did it or no. What caused him then to do it? What did cast it? It was his will. His will setteth his counsel so to work, as it were, to do it the best way; but it is not his will being determined by his counsel as judging it best, for it was neither better one way nor other for God, for he standeth in need of no creature. So that in Scripture you have election attributed to his will, ' He hath mercy on whom he will;' you have creation attributed to his will, 'By thy will all things were created, ' Rev. iv. 11. But now, though his will had the casting of it clearly, and therein lieth the sovereignty and liberty of the will of God

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In his book The Heart of Christ, Thomas Goodwin explores the intimate relationship between Christians and the glorified Jesus Christ in heaven. He poses an important question: now that Christ sits exalted in glory, does he still have mercy and compassion for struggling sinners down on earth? In the Gospels, we meet a gentle and welcoming Jesus who offers forgiveness to all. But what about the Christ enthroned in majesty - can we run to him in our weaknesses? Goodwin provides reassuring answers. He explains that despite his exalted position, Jesus deeply cares for his people. His glorified heart overflows with love and mercy even for poor, sinful souls. For centuries, Goodwin's moving descriptions of Christ's affection for believers have brought comfort and delight to Christian hearts. This book offers a life-giving glimpse into the never-ending compassion at the heart of our reigning Lord.

Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take readers into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

Do you have a hard time focusing your mind on Christ and spiritual things? Do you struggle with sinful or wandering thoughts? Thomas Goodwin shows us the tendency of our minds to vain thoughts and encourages us with several remedies that will help to keep our minds stayed on the Lord.