Thomas Goodwin: The English Reformation and the Puritans with Michael Reeves

Summary

The transcript introduces Thomas Goodwin, a once-prominent theologian and pastor, highlighting his intellectual prowess and compassionate heart. Born in 1600, Goodwin's early life was steeped in Puritanism, leading to a spiritual transformation that shifted his ministry from a focus on self-examination to Christ-centered preaching. His influential work, 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth,' emphasizes Christ's enduring love and compassion for believers, even in his exalted state. Goodwin's theology and pastoral approach continue to offer profound insights into the nature of Christ's love and its relevance for contemporary faith.

Takeaways

• 📜 Thomas Goodwin was a highly influential theologian and pastor, once ranked alongside Augustine and Athanasius, yet largely forgotten today.
• 🎓 Born in 1600 in Rollesby, Norfolk, Goodwin grew up in a Puritan stronghold and initially pursued a path of academic and preaching fame.
• 🌟 A transformative experience in 1620 led Goodwin to a period of introspection, resulting in a shift from self-examination to focusing on Christ's grace.
• 🌐 After a change in ministry, Goodwin became a Christ-centered preacher of grace, similar to Richard Sibbes, and succeeded him at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge.
• 🤝 Known for his charitable nature, Goodwin commanded respect across theological spectrums and was highly regarded by his peers, including John Owen.
• 📚 Goodwin's most popular work, 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth,' aimed to present Christ's love and compassion to encourage believers.
• 💖 Central to Goodwin's theology was the belief that Christ's heart in heaven is filled with compassion for believers, stirred by their afflictions and sins.
• 🕊️ Goodwin emphasized that Christ's love does not add to the Father's love but is a reflection of it, with the Spirit filling Christ with the Father's love to show us.
• 🏛️ Involved in the Westminster Assembly, Goodwin was part of the Puritan theologians' meeting to discuss the reformation of the English church.
• 📖 Goodwin's writings, though challenging, offer profound theological insights and a pastor's tender heart, making them rewarding for those who engage with them.
• 🔥 The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed much of Goodwin's library, but his legacy and message of Christ's love and compassion persist.

Q & A

Who is Thomas Goodwin and why is he considered a forgotten great one?

Thomas Goodwin was a theologian and pastor born in 1600 in Rollesby, Norfolk. He is considered a forgotten great one because, despite once being ranked alongside Augustine and Athanasius and being called the greatest pulpit exegete of Paul, his name and writings are not well-remembered today, likely due to the difficulty of his writings.

What significant change occurred in Goodwin's life after hearing a funeral sermon in 1620?

After hearing a funeral sermon in 1620, Goodwin entered a seven-year period of introspection, deeply concerned for his spiritual state. This introspection led to a significant change in his ministry, shifting from a focus on battering consciences to becoming a Christ-centered preacher of grace.

How did Goodwin's approach to preaching change after his spiritual transformation?

Goodwin's approach to preaching changed from being domineering and hectoring to becoming more Christ-centered and focused on grace, similar to Richard Sibbes. He used his intellectual abilities not to patronize but to help people, offering a compassionate and understanding approach in his sermons.

Why did Goodwin leave Cambridge and become a separatist preacher?

Goodwin left Cambridge and became a separatist preacher due to his disagreement with Archbishop Laud's high church policies. By 1634, he had had enough and resigned his post, eventually ending up in exile in Holland.

What was the purpose of the Westminster Assembly and what role did Goodwin play in it?

The Westminster Assembly was a meeting of Puritan theologians aimed at discussing the full reformation of the church in England. Goodwin played a significant role as part of a small group of Congregationalists who believed in the independence of local churches.

How did Goodwin maintain respect across the theological spectrum despite his definite views on the church?

Goodwin maintained respect across the theological spectrum due to his extraordinary charity, especially towards those he disagreed with. He was known for his kindness and compassion, which allowed him to command widespread respect even in an age of bitter theological disputes.

What was the relationship between Goodwin and John Owen?

Goodwin and John Owen were contemporaries who overlapped significantly during the Puritan heyday of the 1650s. Both held high academic positions, with Owen as Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and Goodwin as President of Magdalen College. They shared a Sunday afternoon pulpit and both served as chaplains to Oliver Cromwell.

How did Goodwin's personal experiences influence his theological focus and pastoral approach?

Goodwin's personal experiences, including his own struggles with guilt and introspection, deeply influenced his theological focus and pastoral approach. He emphasized the importance of looking to Christ rather than being consumed by one's own guilt or sins, and his writings and sermons reflect a deep compassion and understanding of the human condition.

What is the main theme of Goodwin's work 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth'?

The main theme of 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth' is to present the love, compassion, and concern of Christ for sinners. Goodwin aimed to show that Christ's glorified heart in heaven beats with even greater affection and compassion for His people than when He was on earth.

How does Goodwin address the信徒's fear of approaching Christ due to their sins?

Goodwin addresses the fear by emphasizing that Christ's first reaction to sin is pity, not anger. He argues that Christ's compassion for believers increases even when they sin, and that Christ's love is a reflection of the Father's love, encouraging believers to draw near to Him with confidence.

What impact does Goodwin's message have on the understanding of Christ's role as a High Priest?

Goodwin's message highlights Christ's role as a High Priest who sympathizes with the believers' weaknesses, having experienced temptation without sin. This understanding encourages believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Christ's heart in heaven is tender and compassionate towards them.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introducing Thomas Goodwin: The Forgotten Theologian

This paragraph introduces Thomas Goodwin, a once highly regarded theologian who has faded into obscurity. Despite his significant contributions and being compared to Augustine and Athanasius, Goodwin is not well remembered, likely due to the complexity of his writings. Born in 1600 in Rollesby, Norfolk, Goodwin grew up in a Puritan environment and initially pursued a path of personal fame and recognition. However, after a period of introspection and spiritual struggle, he experienced a transformative moment that shifted his focus to a ministry centered on Christ and His grace. His preaching style evolved to become more compassionate and less domineering, and he eventually took over Richard Sibbes' position at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge.

05:01

🌍 Goodwin's Journey: From Cambridge to Exile and Back

The second paragraph details Goodwin's professional and spiritual journey. After becoming disillusioned with the high church policies of Archbishop Laud, Goodwin resigned from his post in Cambridge in 1634 and became a separatist preacher. He later went into exile in Holland, but returned to England after being recalled by Parliament in 1641. Upon his return, he joined the Westminster Assembly, a gathering of Puritan theologians aiming to reform the English church. Goodwin, along with a small group, advocated for Congregationalism, emphasizing the independence of local churches. Despite his strong theological convictions, Goodwin was known for his charity and respect across different theological views. His relationship with John Owen, a prominent figure of the time, is highlighted, as well as his eccentricities, such as his fondness for nightcaps. Goodwin's pastoral heart is emphasized, as he was deeply concerned with the spiritual well-being of his students and congregation.

10:02

💖 The Heart of Christ: Goodwin's Theological Focus

This paragraph discusses Goodwin's theological emphasis on the heart of Christ towards sinners. Goodwin wrote 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth' to address the common feeling of believers that Christ, now in his glorified state, is distant and unreachable. Goodwin aimed to show through Scripture that Christ's love and compassion for His people have only increased in His glorified state. He argues that Christ's actions on earth, particularly His washing of the disciples' feet, demonstrate His enduring love and service to His followers, even in the face of betrayal. Goodwin's work seeks to encourage believers to approach Christ with confidence, reassured by His constant and compassionate love.

15:04

🙏 Christ's Compassion: Goodwin's Pastoral Insights

The fourth paragraph delves into Goodwin's portrayal of Christ's compassion as detailed in his work. Goodwin emphasizes that Christ's love is not diminished by the sins of His followers but rather, His compassion is stirred by their afflictions and sins. He points to Christ's interactions with His disciples, even after betrayal, as evidence of His unwavering love and forgiveness. Goodwin uses these examples to illustrate that Christ's reactions are characterized by pity rather than anger, especially towards unbelief. He also references Hebrews 4:15 to encourage believers, highlighting Christ's empathy for human weaknesses and His role as a High Priest who understands and aids in times of need.

20:05

🕊️ Embracing the Love of Christ: Goodwin's Message for Today

The final paragraph concludes with the relevance of Goodwin's message in contemporary times. It underscores the importance of understanding Christ's compassionate nature and how this knowledge can transform believers' perceptions of God and their approach to sin. Goodwin's Christology presents a Savior who is not distant but intimately concerned with the well-being of His people. The paragraph calls for a renewed appreciation of Goodwin's teachings, suggesting that embracing his insights can lead to a deeper love for Christ and a more vibrant faith life.

Keywords

💡Theologian

A theologian is a person who studies or writes about religious beliefs, especially concerning the nature of God and religious doctrines. In the context of the video, Thomas Goodwin is described as a highly influential theologian once ranked alongside Augustine and Athanasius, indicating his significant contributions to Christian theology.

💡Puritanism

Puritanism is a religious reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the late 16th century, characterized by a desire for the simplification of worship and the elimination of anything not rooted in Scripture. In the video, it is mentioned that Goodwin grew up in an area well-soaked in Puritanism, indicating the strong religious and moral influence in his early life.

💡Exegesis

Exegesis is the process of critically analyzing and interpreting texts, particularly religious texts like the Bible. The term 'pulpit exegete' refers to someone who interprets and explains biblical texts in a sermon context. The video highlights that Goodwin was once called the greatest pulpit exegete of Paul, emphasizing his expertise in interpreting and teaching the Apostle Paul's writings.

💡Christ-centered preaching

Christ-centered preaching is a form of sermon delivery that focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ, rather than on moral lessons or other topics. The video describes Goodwin's transition from a preacher with a domineering style to one who became a Christ-centered preacher of grace, indicating a shift in his approach to sermonizing that emphasized the centrality of Christ in the Christian faith.

💡Separatist preacher

A Separatist preacher is one who has chosen to leave the established church and form a separate, independent congregation. In the context of the video, Goodwin became a separatist preacher after resigning from his post at Cambridge due to his disagreement with Archbishop Laud's high church policies, showing his commitment to religious freedom and autonomy of worship.

💡Westminster Assembly

The Westminster Assembly was a gathering of Puritan and Reformed theologians who met in the 1640s to discuss the reformation of the Church of England. The video mentions Goodwin's involvement in the Westminster Assembly, highlighting his role in shaping the theological landscape of the time and his advocacy for a more decentralized, independent church structure.

💡Congregationalism

Congregationalism is a form of church governance in which each congregation is self-governing and independent, with no hierarchical authority over other congregations. The video describes Goodwin as a leader among a small group of Congregationalists within the Westminster Assembly, emphasizing his belief in the autonomy of local churches.

💡Pastor

A pastor is a religious leader who is primarily responsible for the spiritual guidance and care of a congregation. The video portrays Goodwin as a pastor at heart, showing his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of his congregation and his role as a nurturing figure, especially evident in his interactions with students at Magdalen College, Oxford.

💡The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth

This is the title of one of Goodwin's most popular works, which the video discusses as an exemplar of his Christ-centered theology and pastoral care. The book aims to present the love and compassion of Christ towards sinners, encouraging believers to approach Christ with confidence despite their sins. It reflects Goodwin's mission to help Christians understand and experience the fullness of Christ's love and compassion.

💡Righteousness

Righteousness, in a theological context, refers to being morally right or just before God. The video mentions Goodwin's emphasis on the righteousness of God, which is received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than relying on one's own efforts or adherence to the law. This concept is central to Goodwin's theology, highlighting the grace of God and the believer's dependence on Christ for salvation.

💡Communion

Communion, in a Christian context, refers to the practice of sharing in the body and blood of Christ through the sacrament, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper. The video captures Goodwin's dying words, where he speaks of having communion with the three Persons of the Trinity, illustrating his deep spiritual connection and his belief in the transformative power of this sacrament.

Highlights

Thomas Goodwin was once ranked alongside theologians like Augustine and Athanasius.

Goodwin was considered the greatest pulpit exegete of Paul that ever lived.

Despite his theological prowess, Goodwin's writings are not widely remembered, possibly due to their difficulty.

Goodwin was born in 1600 in Rollesby, Norfolk, a region steeped in Puritanism.

After a period of introspection and struggle, Goodwin was advised to look to Christ rather than internal feelings.

Goodwin's ministry shifted from a focus on condemning consciences to preaching Christ-centered grace.

Goodwin became an affable preacher, using his intellect to help rather than patronize people.

Archbishop Laud's high church policies led Goodwin to resign and become a separatist preacher.

Goodwin was part of the Westminster Assembly, contributing to the reformation of the English church.

Goodwin was known for his extraordinary charity, even towards those he disagreed with theologically.

Goodwin and John Owen shared a Sunday afternoon pulpit and both served as chaplains to Oliver Cromwell.

Goodwin's most popular work, 'The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth,' focused on Christ's love and compassion.

Goodwin aimed to present the heart of the bridegroom (Christ) to his bride (the church) to encourage believers.

Goodwin believed Christ's compassion in heaven is even stronger than when he was on earth.

In 'The Heart of Christ,' Goodwin explores how Christ's love and compassion extend to believers' sins and afflictions.

Goodwin's theology emphasizes that Christ's love is a reflection of the Father's love, with the Spirit mediating this love.

Goodwin's message is relevant today for drawing people away from a jaded view of God and towards a love for Christ.

Goodwin's approach to preaching and pastoring was to walk with people as a brother, understanding their problems.

Goodwin's life and ministry were marked by a transformation from a focus on self to a focus on Christ.

Goodwin's writings are known for their theological depth and pastoral tenderness, reflecting his dual role as a theologian and pastor.

Transcripts

REEVES: Welcome back.

And from the big picture, we're going to have the camera zoom in again on

one person this time, Thomas Goodwin.

I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas Goodwin is a name that

means nothing to you.

If that's the case, don't be embarrassed at all because Thomas

Goodwin really is a very forgotten great one.

It's remarkable though that he is so forgotten.

He was once ranked as the theologian to stand alongside Augustine and Athanasius.

He was

once called the greatest pulpit exegete of Paul that has ever lived.

He should be a household

name, but his writings aren't easy and that's probably why he's not well remembered and

yet they always pay back the reader.

For in Goodwin, a simply awesome theological intellect

is wielded by the very tender heart of a pastor.

But Goodwin needs a little reintroduction.

He was born in 1600 right at the end of Elizabeth's reign in the small village of Rollesby, in

Norfolk and his parents were God-fearing.

At this time, this is an area called the Norfolk

broad.

It's quite a flat, shallow land, full of estuaries.

Very pretty.

And it were well-soaked

in Puritanism at the time.

This whole area unto the east of England was Puritan stronghold

territory.

And so unsurprisingly, he grew up rather religious.

That wore off though

when he became a student, as it often does, and when he went up to Cambridge he divided

his time between making merry and setting out to become a celebrity preacher for, he

said, he wanted to be known as one of the great wits of the pulpit.

That doesn't mean

he wanted to be known as a comedian in the pulpit.

It means he wanted to be known as

one of great minds in the pulpit for he said 'My master-lust was the love of applause.'

Then in 1620, he's 20 years old, he's appointed to a fellow of Katharine Hall which is where

Sibbes would be master soon.

And he heard there a funeral sermon that deeply affected

him and that started seven gloomy years of morbid introspection as he was deeply concerned

for his spiritual state and he had these years grubbing around inside himself to see if there

were any signs of grace in there.

And after seven years of staring at himself, an old

pastor from Norfolk met up with him and told him "Don't trust to feelings inside.

Don't

trust to internal performance.

Look out and rest on Christ."

And with that, he said "I

was free."

"I've trusted," he said "too much to these signs.

I've come to this past now

-- these signs of grace in me are no sure good.

No, I tell you.

Christ is worth all."

Now, up to this point, he had actually been a preacher and he devoted himself, he said,

to a ministry of battering consciences, but at this moment, his ministry change.

And he

took over from Richard Sibbes his preaching at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge and that

was an appropriate transition because while in his navel gazing days, his preaching had

been this quite domineering, heckling, hectoring sort.

He now became a Christ-centered preacher

of grace like Sibbes.

And from there, it was to Thomas Goodwin that Richard Sibbes said

"Young man, if ever you would do good, you must preach the gospel and the free grace

of God in Christ Jesus," and that's what Goodwin now did.

Unlike Sibbes, he became an affable

preacher.

Now, he wouldn't use his considerable intellectual abilities to patronize people.

He'd use his abilities to help people, and you can still feel that in his sermons if

you read them.

Reading his sermons is a bit like he takes you by the shoulder and walks

with you as a brother.

He understands your problems and he's walking with you.

All this time, Archbishop Laud was pressing his high church policies.

And by 1634, Goodwin

had had enough.

He resigned his post, he left Cambridge to become a separatist preacher

and by the end of the 1630's, he was in Holland in exile.

Then in 1641, Parliament recalled

all such Englishman to return and soon Goodwin was joining the Westminster Assembly.

The

Westminster Assembly was a meeting of Puritan theologians to discuss how the church in England

could be fully reformed.

Now, the opportunity was ripe.

Most of them were a Presbyterian

but there were a small group that Goodwin really led who were Congregationalist.

They

believe that individual churches should be local churches, should be independent.

Now,

to call them 'Dissenting' or 'Separatist' could make Goodwin sound rather quarrelsome,

prickly.

Actually, while Goodwin was very definite in his views on the church, he was

an extraordinarily charitable man, especially to those he disagreed with and he managed

to command a widespread respect across the theological spectrum of the church.

And in

an age of often very bitter theological dispute, nobody seems to have spoken ill of Goodwin

-- a remarkable feat.

If there was a contemporary Goodwin overlapped with more than any, it was John Owen.

And

in the Puritan heyday of the 1650's were here, John Owen would be Vice Chancellor of Oxford

University and at that same time, Goodwin was President of Magdalen College, one of

the colleges that make up Oxford University.

And for years, Goodwin and Owen shared a Sunday

afternoon pulpit, (not at the same time, they will take it in turns) both were chaplains

to Oliver Cromwell and they both have their own sartorial whimsies: to Owen, he rather

liked his dandy day-wear, his snake-bands and his Spanish leather boots; and Goodwin,

it was giggled, had such a fondness for nightcaps.

If you ever see a picture of him, it's usually

of him wearing a nightcap.

Such a fondness that apparently who would wear whole collections

on his head at once.

Now, it's good to see their humans, isn't it, with their own little

eccentricities?

First and foremost, Goodwin was a pastor at heart.

And so students at Magdalen College,

Oxford would find that, if they they bumped into Goodwin or his nightcaps, they would

find themselves asked by him "When were you converted?

"How's your walk with the Lord?"

It became a real spiritual nursery.

And when Charles II returned in 1660, Goodwin was immediately

deprived of his post.

What did he choose to do?

He chose to go and pastor a church in

London.

And the last twenty years of his life he spent pastoring, writing treatises and studying

in London.

And there was one little moment that makes me, as a fellow theologian, makes

my heart go out to him -- in 1666, the Great Fire of London swept through and burned more

than half of his voluminous library.

My heart goes out to him in that.

But at eighty years

old, he was gripped by a fatal fever and here are his dying words.

They captured what had

always been his chief concerns.

On his deathbed he said,

"I am now going to the three Persons, with whom I've had communion.

My bow abides in

strength.

Is Christ divided?

No, I have the whole of his righteousness; I am found in

him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law.

I have the righteousness which

is of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Christ

cannot love me better than he does.

I think I can't love Christ better than I do; I am

swallowed up in God, and now I shall ever more be with the Lord."

Now, Goodwin, he wrote a number of short pieces that are quite he used to pick up and I want

to introduce just one of those to you to give you a sample, a flavor of Goodwin's theology

in his pastoring.

The work I want to introduce you to, the full title is "The Heart of Christ

in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth."

The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth

-- almost immediately, it was Goodwin's most popular work.

And it's exemplary of his overall

Christ-centeredness and he wrote it for he said that many will -- like how he had been

in those struggling years -- he said "many are too carried away with the rudiments, the

effects of Christ in their hearts.

They're not carried away after Christ himself."

Indeed,

he wrote, "The minds of many are so wholly taken up with their own hearts, that Christ

"is scarce in all their thoughts."'

Goodwin wanted us, he said, "first to look out from

our selves, look to Christ," and he believed the reason we don't is haven't grasp well

the glory, the love, the concern of Christ, and not knowing how kind, compassionate he

is, we don't dare to look to him.

Instead we imprison ourselves in our guilt and don't

dare go to a Savior.

And so Goodwin made it his life's mission to set forth Christ that

hearts might be one to him.

Now, through The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth, he wanted to present

the heart of the bridegroom to his bride, the church.

And through presenting the heart

of the bridegroom, he wanted to woo the church, the people of God to the great bridegroom.

And his concern particularly was this.

It's a really unique piece.

Not many people have

written on this theme.

His concern was this: he knew that now that Jesus has ascended to

heaven, gone up in glory, we can feel that he's simply too exalted, too aloof for us

now, that once we feel Christ was the friend of tax collectors and sinner, once we could

have related to him.

But now he's in glory, he simply too exalted, we feel can have nothing

to do with him.

And his aim was to show through Scripture Christ is not now aloof from his

people even though he's now in glory.

He has, if anything, even stronger affections and

compassion for his people.

And knowing this, he said,

"This may hearten and encourage believers to come more boldly unto the throne of grace,

unto such a Saviour, such a High Priest, when they know how sweetly, how tenderly his heart,

though he is now in his glory, is inclined towards them."

So what Goodwin does is he starts by looking at Christ on earth and his assurances.

He

starts in John 13 where Jesus washes his disciples' feet.

And what Goodwin notices is this that

Jesus does this, particularly we're told, knowing he was about to return to God.

That's

the context.

And so he's showing as he washes his disciples' feet "This is how I am towards

you, this is how I will be even when I return to be with my Father.

I live to so stoop and

wash you."

Goodwin keeps noticing how extraordinary this is.

Jesus does all this for those he

knows are going to betray him.

At the end of John 13:38, Jesus doesn't say "If you don't

betray me, if you're loyal to me, then I'll pray for you."

No!

Knowing they're going to

betray him, still he reassures them, he comforts them, he prays for them.

And Goodwin says

"Just so does he pray for us now, even though we are daily unkind to him, he remains ever

kind towards us."

Over the next chapters, he, Jesus, tells his disciples of how like a loving bridegroom,

he is going to prepare a place for his bride.

And Goodwin says, 'It as if Jesus had said

"The truth is, my beloved, I cannot live without you.

I shall never be quiet till I have you

where I am so we may never part again."'

That's the reason of it.

"Heaven shall not hold me,

nor even 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.

Oh Poor sinners, who are full of the

thoughts of their own sins, they know not how they shall be able to look to Christ in

the face when they first meet with him at the latter day.

(Isn't that true?)

But they

may relieve their spirits against their care and fear, by Christ's behavior now towards

his disciples, who had so sinned against him.

Be not afraid, (says Goodwin), your sins will

he remember no more.

And does he talk thus lovingly of us?

Whose heart would not this

overcome?

What's on Goodwin's mind here is he looks at how having reassured his disciple, having

prayed for them, they then betray him.

And when they've betrayed him, what's his first

reaction?

What are the first words he uses to his disciples, to those traitors?

First

thing he says is, he calls them, "My brothers."

He says to them "Peace be with you."

And the

very last thing they see of him, the last sight they have of Jesus as he's ascending

before the cloud takes him from their sight (what's the last thing they see?) -- he's

blessing them.

The last sight of him, he's blessing them.

He's moving stuff and strong stuff, Goodwin gives us, and I find reading Goodwin, I'm

often thinking 'Is Christ really this good, so glorious in his kindness and compassion?"

And one thing Goodwin does is he looks through all the resurrection appearances of Jesus

and notices something extraordinary because every single appearance and notices this,

he says, "No sin of theirs troubled him but their unbelief."

For having dealt with all

their sins, he doesn't chide them for anything but their unbelief.

They just can't believe

it.

Well then Goodwin takes us to the heart of his argument: Hebrews 4:15.

"For we do not

have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, we have one who in every

respect has been tempted just as we are, yet without sin.

And so let us with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace, let us receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time

of need."

And these words, said Goodwin, "They do, as it were, take our hands, and they lay them

upon Christ's breast, and they let us feel how his heart beats, how his bowels yearn

towards us, even now he is in glory -- and the scope of these words is manifestly to

encourage believers against all that may discourage them, by considering how Christ's heart now

is in heaven is towards them."

Goodwin shows that in all his glorious holiness in heaven, Christ is not sour towards his

people, distant, unconcerned; if anything, Christ's glorified capacious heart beats more

strongly with tender compassion towards his people.

And if anything in particular, two

things, says Goodwin, stir Christ's compassion: First, our afflictions stir his compassion;

second, -- almost unbelievably -- our sin stirs his compassion.

Having experienced on earth the utmost load of pain, rejection and sorrow, "In all points

tempted like as we are," Christ in heaven empathizes with our suffering.

There is a

man who has suffered on the throne of heaven.

He understands.

But more, he looks at Hebrews

5:2 where we read that is part of the qualification of the high priest to have mercy on those

who are "out of the way" (that is, sinning).

And says Goodwin,

"Your very sins move him to pity more than to anger.

Yea, his pity is increased the more

towards you, even as the heart of a father is to a child that hath some loathsome disease.

His fatherly hatred shall all fall, but only upon the sin, to free you from the sin by

its ruin and destruction; but his bowels shall be more drawn out to you; and this as much

when you lie under sin as under any other affliction.

Therefore fear not, 'What shall

separate us from the love of Christ?'"

His point is those who are in Christ have a new identity.

They are no longer defined

by their sin.

They're defined by Christ and the sin that remains in them is a sickness.

And fathers, they love their children, they don't hate their children when they get sick.

The sickness in their children arouses their compassion for their children -- hatred for

the sickness, compassion for the child.

In glory, says Goodwin, Jesus' first reaction

when you sin is pity.

Where you would run from him in guilt, he would run to you in

grace.

It makes all the difference when your heart feels cold and cloddish.

Right then

in your very coldness, you can know it is your joylessness that stirs his compassion.

And what Goodwin realized was that, as a pastor, this loving compassion will draw us back to

Christ from our sin.

Maybe you sense it that in our guilt, we never want to face up to

some cold, pitiless God but the tender kindness of Christ woos us.

The beauty of Christ's

heart in heaven woos ours.

Now, our focus is upon Christ, but Goodwin's adamant -- he's ardently Trinitarian -- he's

adamant that we should not think that here is a beautifully compassionate Christ appeasing

a heartless Father.

No, no, says Goodwin, "Christ adds not one drop of love to the Father's

heart.

All the love of Christ is the streaming of the Father's love."

The Spirit fills him

with the very love of the Father which he's showing us.

And so the heart of Christ in

heaven is the express image of the heart of the Father.

We need Goodwin and his message today!

If we are to be drawn from jaded, anxious thoughts

of God and a love of sin, we need such a knowledge of Christ.

And if more could soak up Good's

message to change like Goodwin, if preachers could preach like Goodwin, I think many more

might say, like him, "Christ cannot love me better than he does.

I think I cannot love

Christ better than I do."

Thank you.