John Goodwin (1594–1665) was an English preacher, theologian and prolific author of significant books.

Early life

Goodwin was born in

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the No ...

and educated at

Queens' College, Cambridge Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Queens' is one of the oldest colleges of the university, founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou. The college spans the River Cam, colloquially referred to as the "light s ...

, where he graduated M.A. and obtained a fellowship on 10 November 1617. He left the university and married, took orders and was a popular preacher in his home county and later in London. In 1622 he was the incumbent at

East Raynham East Raynham is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Raynham, Norfolk, Raynham, in the North Norfolk district, in the county of Norfolk, England. It is located on the A1065 road, A1065 some south-west of Fakenham. The River ...

where he benefited from a bequest by

Anne Townshend Anne Townshend or Anne Bacon; Anne, Lady Townshend (August 1573 – November 1622) was a British Puritan gentlewoman and benefactor of Puritan causes. Life Townshend was born in Waxham in 1573 and was baptised on 7 August. Her parents were Anne ( ...

. For a time he seems to have officiated at St. Mary's,

Dover Dover () is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone ...

. In 1632 he came to London, and on 18 December 1633 was instituted to the vicarage of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street, vacated by the nonconformist secession of John Davenport. He himself sided with the puritans, and at that period inclined to independency under the influence of John Cotton. In 1635 he was convened for breach of canons, but on his promise of amendment Bishop

William Juxon William Juxon (1582 – 4 June 1663) was an English churchman, Bishop of London from 1633 to 1646 and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1660 until his death. Life Education Juxon was the son of Richard Juxon and was born probably in Chichester, a ...

took no further proceedings. In 1638 Goodwin broached from the pulpit of St. Stephen's his opinions on

justification by faith ''Justificatio sola fide'' (or simply ''sola fide''), meaning justification by faith alone, is a soteriological doctrine in Christian theology commonly held to distinguish the Lutheran and Reformed traditions of Protestantism, among others, f ...

, taking a view which was already regarded as practically

Arminian Arminianism is a branch of Protestantism based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) and his historic supporters known as Remonstrants. Dutch Arminianism was originally articulated in the ''Re ...

; he always cited Calvin as bearing him out on some points. A pulpit controversy with other city ministers on this topic was calmed by Juxon, all parties agreeing to desist. Next year (1639) Goodwin angered his opponents anew by insisting on the need of a learned ministry. Juxon reported to

William Laud William Laud (; 7 October 1573 – 10 January 1645) was a bishop in the Church of England. Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles I in 1633, Laud was a key advocate of Charles I's religious reforms, he was arrested by Parliament in 1640 ...

that he did not despair of a good issue. Goodwin had a hand in drafting the London clerical petition against the new canons of 30 June 1640. Alderman

Isaac Pennington :''See Isaac Penington (disambiguation) for other people with a similar name.'' Sir Isaac Pennington (1745–1817) was an English physician, of whom there are two portraits in the National Portrait Gallery. Isaac Pennington was educated at Sed ...

was one of his parishioners, and joined his congregational society. In 1639 Goodwin wrote a preface to the posthumous sermons of Henry Ramsden. During the next two years he published several sermons, and a tract (1641) criticising the positions of

George Walker George Walker may refer to: Arts and letters *George Walker (chess player) (1803–1879), English chess player and writer *George Walker (composer) (1922–2018), American composer * George Walker (illustrator) (1781–1856), author of ''The Cos ...

, of

St. John's, Watling Street St John the Evangelist Friday Street was a church in Bread Street Ward of the City of London. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish being united with that of All Hallows Bread Street. History The ch ...

. Walker retorted upon Goodwin and others with a charge of

Socinianism Socinianism () is a nontrinitarian belief system deemed heretical by the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions. Named after the Italian theologians Lelio Sozzini (Latin: Laelius Socinus) and Fausto Sozzini (Latin: Faustus Socinus), uncle ...

in the article of justification.

Civil War period

Goodwin was one of the earliest clerical supporters of the democratic puritans, and then of the army against the Parliament. His ''Anti-Cavalierisme'' (1642) proclaims the need of war to suppress the party 'now hammering England to make an Ireland of it.' The doctrine of the

divine right of kings In European Christianity, the divine right of kings, divine right, or God's mandation is a political and religious doctrine of political legitimacy of a monarchy. It stems from a specific metaphysical framework in which a monarch is, before b ...

he assailed in his ''Os Ossorianum, or a Bone for a Bishop'', against Griffith Williams, bishop of Ossory. He also attacked the presbyterians as a persecuting party in his ''Θεομαχία, or the grand imprudence of ... fighting against God'' (1644). In May 1645 he was ejected from his living for refusing to administer indiscriminately in his parish the baptism and the Lord's Supper, setting up a covenanted community within his parish. Goodwin immediately set up an independent church in Coleman Street, which had a large following. William Taylor, his appointed successor at St. Stephen's, was in his turn ejected in 1649, to be restored in 1657. Goodwin obtained the use of the church, but with a diminished revenue. Among his hearers at this period was

Thomas Firmin Thomas Firmin (June 1632 – 1697) was an English businessman and philanthropist, publisher and unitarian member of the Church of England.Joseph Cornish ''The life of Mr. Thomas Firmin, citizen of London'' Devon 1780 Early life Firmin was born to ...

, who took down his sermons in shorthand. The ''

Gangraena ''Gangraena'' is a book by English puritan clergyman Thomas Edwards, published in 1646. A notorious work of heresiography, it appeared the year after Ephraim Pagitt's ''Heresiography''. These two books attempted to catalogue the fissiparous Prot ...

'' (1646) of Thomas Edwards included Goodwin among the subjects of attack; in the second and third parts, published in the same year, Edwards was provoked into savage onslaughts by Goodwin's anonymous reply ''Cretensis''. Goodwin is 'a monstrous sectary, a compound of

Arminianism Arminianism is a branch of Protestantism based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) and his historic supporters known as Remonstrants. Dutch Arminianism was originally articulated in the ''Re ...

antinomianism Antinomianism (Ancient Greek: ἀντί 'anti''"against" and νόμος 'nomos''"law") is any view which rejects laws or legalism and argues against moral, religious or social norms (Latin: mores), or is at least considered to do so. The term ha ...

, independency,

popery The words Popery (adjective Popish) and Papism (adjective Papist, also used to refer to an individual) are mainly historical pejorative words in the English language for Roman Catholicism, once frequently used by Protestants and Eastern Orthodox ...

, yea and of

scepticism Skepticism, also spelled scepticism, is a questioning attitude or doubt toward knowledge claims that are seen as mere belief or dogma. For example, if a person is skeptical about claims made by their government about an ongoing war then the pe ...

.' He and several of his church 'go to bowls and other sports on days of public thanksgiving.' ''Cretensis'' also defended

Jeremiah Burroughs Jeremiah Burroughs (sometimes Burroughes; 1599 – London, 13 November, 1646) was an English Congregationalist and a well-known Puritan preacher. Biography Burroughs studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and was graduated M.A. in 1624, bu ...

and

William Greenhill William Greenhill (1591–1671) was an English nonconformist clergyman, independent minister, and member of the Westminster Assembly. Life He was born probably in Oxfordshire. At the age of thirteen he matriculated at the University of Oxford on ...

whom Goodwin knew, and also Robert Cosens and John Ellis where the connection was prompted by Edwards (who hit back at them all bracketed together). Goodwin, by his ''Hagiomastix, or the Scourge of the Saints'' (1647) came into collision with

William Jenkyn William Jenkyn (1613–1685) was an English clergyman, imprisoned during the Interregnum for his part in the 'Presbyterian plot' of Christopher Love, ejected minister in 1662, and imprisoned at the end of his life for nonconformity. Life Jenkyn w ...

, vicar of

Christ Church, Newgate Christ Church Greyfriars, also known as Christ Church Newgate Street, was a church in Newgate Street, opposite St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Established as a monastic church in the thirteenth century, it became a parish church afte ...

, whose ''Testimony'' was endorsed (14 December 1647) by fifty-eight presbyterian divines at

Sion College Sion College, in London, is an institution founded by Royal Charter in 1630 as a college, guild of parochial clergy and almshouse, under the 1623 will of Thomas White, vicar of St Dunstan's in the West. The clergy who benefit by the foundation ...

. Sixteen members of Goodwin's church issued an ''Apologetical Account'' (1647) of their reasons for standing by him. John Goodwin

Jenkyn was aided by

John Vicars John Vicars (1582, London – 12 April 1652, Christ's Hospital, Greyfriars, London) was an English contemporary biographer, poet and polemicist of the English Civil War. His best-known work is ''English Worthies'' or ''England's Worthies'', whose ...

, usher in Christ Church Hospital, who published (1648) an amusing description of 'Coleman-street-conclave' and its minister, 'this most huge Garagantua,' the 'schismatics cheater in chief.' This contains a likeness of Goodwin (engraved by William Richardson) surmounted by a windmill and weathercock, 'pride' and 'error' supplying the breeze. Goodwin translated and printed a part of the ''Stratagemata Satanae'' (March 1648) of

Acontius Acontius (Ancient Greek: Ἀκόντιος), was in Greek mythology a beautiful youth of the island of Ceos, the hero of a love-story told by Callimachus in a poem of which only fragments remain, and which forms the subject of two of Ovid's ''He ...

under the title ''Satan's Stratagems; or the Devil's Cabinet-Councel discovered'', with recommendatory epistles by himself and

John Durie John Durie (1537–1600) was one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Edinburgh after the Reformation in Scotland. He was born at Mauchline in Ayrshire in 1537, and educated at Ayr. He became one of the Benedictine monks of Dunfermline, but ...

. Acontius, an advocate of

religious tolerance Religious toleration may signify "no more than forbearance and the permission given by the adherents of a dominant religion for other religions to exist, even though the latter are looked on with disapproval as inferior, mistaken, or harmful". ...

, was now stigmatised by Francis Cheynell as a 'sneaking Socinian'. Cheynell sought in vain in the

Westminster Assembly The Westminster Assembly of Divines was a council of Divinity (academic discipline), divines (theologians) and members of the English Parliament appointed from 1643 to 1653 to restructure the Church of England. Several Scots also attended, and ...

to obtain a condemnation of Goodwin's book, but printed (1650) his thoughts about it by request. The translation was reissued with a new title, ''Darkness Discovered; or the Devil's secret Stratagems laid open'' (1651). Goodwin defended the most extreme measures of the army leaders. In his ''Might and Right Well Met'' (1648), which was answered by John Geree, he applauded

Pride's Purge Pride's Purge is the name commonly given to an event that took place on 6 December 1648, when soldiers prevented members of Parliament considered hostile to the New Model Army from entering the House of Commons of England. Despite defeat in the ...

. He was one of the puritan divines who, in the interval between the sentence and execution of the king, offered him their spiritual services. Goodwin mentions in his ''Ὑβριστοδίκαι. The Obstrvctovrs of Justice'' (30 May 1649), that he had an hour's conversation or more with Charles, but was not impressed by his visit. He firmly contended in the same tract for the sovereign rights of the people, quoted approvingly

John Milton John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet and intellectual. His 1667 epic poem '' Paradise Lost'', written in blank verse and including over ten chapters, was written in a time of immense religious flux and political ...

's '' Tenure of Kings and Magistrates'' (13 February 1649), and maintained that the proceedings against Charles followed the spirit of the law if not the letter. ''Two Hymns or Spiritual Songs'' (1651) were sung in his congregation on 24 October 1651, the thanksgiving day for the victory at the

Battle of Worcester The Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 in and around the city of Worcester, England and was the last major battle of the 1639 to 1653 Wars of the Three Kingdoms. A Parliamentarian army of around 28,000 under Oliver Cromwell def ...

. Meanwhile, he pursued theological controversies. His defense of general redemption, ''Ἀπολύτρωσις ἀπολύτρωσεως, or Redemption Redeemed'', appeared in 1651 (reprinted 1840); his ''Water-Dipping no Firm Footing'' (1653) and ''Cata-Baptism'' (1655) were polemics against

baptists Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compe ...

. The circumstance that

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...

's 'Triers' were mostly independents did not reconcile him to the new ecclesiastical despotism; he arraigned it in his ''Bασανισταί. Or the Triers r TormentersTried'' (1657). Goodwin speaks of himself as having to contend in a manner with the whole earth' (dedication to ''Cata-Baptism''). His ideas were often anticipations. His rational temper made him the opponent of Seekers and Quakers, and gave him some affinity with the Cambridge Platonists. He rejected the distinction allowed by Acontius, between tolerance of error in fundamentals and in other points. He would have men 'call more for light and less for fire from heaven' (epistle in ''Satan's Stratagems'', 1648). In his ''Divine Authority of the Scriptures Asserted'' (1648), which won the commendation of

Richard Baxter Richard Baxter (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691) was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymnodist, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he ...

, he maintains, anticipating

George Fox George Fox (July 1624 – 13 January 1691) was an English Dissenter, who was a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends. The son of a Leicestershire weaver, he lived in times of social upheaval and ...

and

Robert Barclay Robert Barclay (23 December 16483 October 1690) was a Scottish Quaker, one of the most eminent writers belonging to the Religious Society of Friends and a member of the Clan Barclay. He was a son of Col. David Barclay, Laird of Urie, and his ...

, that the word of God 'was extant in the world, nay in the hearts and consciences of men, before there was any copy of the word extant in writing.' In his ''Pagans Debt and Dowry'' (1651; 1671, a reply to Thomas Barlow), which led to a controversy with Obadiah Howe, he argues that without the letter of the gospel heathens may be saved. Goodwin was also a believer in the future calling of the Jews and was a

millenarian Millenarianism or millenarism (from Latin , "containing a thousand") is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming fundamental transformation of society, after which "all things will be changed". Millenariani ...

. His views are expressed in ''A Post-Script or Appendix to'' . .''Hagiomastix'' (1647). A member of Goodwin's gathered congregation, Daniel Taylor, later petitioned Oliver Cromwell for the readmission of the Jews to England in a treatise entitled ''Certain Queries'' (1651).

After the Restoration

At the

Restoration Restoration is the act of restoring something to its original state and may refer to: * Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage ** Audio restoration ** Film restoration ** Image restoration ** Textile restoration * Restoration ecology ...

Goodwin, with

, was ordered into custody on 16 June 1660. He kept out of the way, and at length was placed in the indemnity, among eighteen persons perpetually incapacitated for any public trust. His ''Ὑβριστοδίκαι'' was burned (27 August) by the hangman at the

Old Bailey The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly referred to as the Old Bailey after the street on which it stands, is a criminal court building in central London, one of several that house the Crown Court of England and Wales. The s ...

. According to

Gilbert Burnet Gilbert Burnet (18 September 1643 – 17 March 1715) was a Scottish philosopher and historian, and Bishop of Salisbury. He was fluent in Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Burnet was highly respected as a cleric, a preacher, an academic, ...

, his comparative immunity was due to his Arminian reputation. He soon returned to his Coleman Street congregation, though not to the emoluments of St. Stephen's, of which he was deprived and Theophilus Alford admitted as his successor, on 29 May 1661. He had written strenuously against the

Fifth-monarchy men The Fifth Monarchists, or Fifth Monarchy Men, were a Protestant sect which advocated Millennialist views, active during the 1649 to 1660 Commonwealth. Named after a prophecy in the Book of Daniel that Four Monarchies would precede the Fifth or ...

in 1654 and 1655; but

Thomas Venner Thomas Venner (died 19 January 1661According to the then prevailing Old Style calendar, the turn of the year occurred on Lady Day, 25 March. As such, Venner died in 1660 according to contemporary accounts, but in 1661 as described by modern histo ...

's meeting house, from which Venner's Rising proceeded, was in Swan Alley, Coleman Street, and here also, in 1653, was Goodwin's study. This may explain why Burnet wrote that Goodwin was one of these enthusiasts. Immediately on Venner's rising, Goodwin's church issued a ''Declaration'' (January 1661) disclaiming all sympathy with this or any attempt 'to propagate religion by the sword.' Goodwin was named as one of the men who was excluded from holding any state office in the

Indemnity and Oblivion Act 1660 The Indemnity and Oblivion Act 1660 was an Act of the Parliament of England (12 Cha. II c. 11), the long title of which is "An Act of Free and General Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion". This act was a general pardon for everyone who had committe ...

. He died in the plague year, 1665. By his early marriage he had seven children, two of whom died in 1645.

Works

Goodwin published (besides works already mentioned): *''The Saints' Interest in God'', 1640. *''God a Good Master'', 1641 (dedicated to Elizabeth Hampden, mother of

John Hampden John Hampden (24 June 1643) was an English landowner and politician whose opposition to arbitrary taxes imposed by Charles I made him a national figure. An ally of Parliamentarian leader John Pym, and cousin to Oliver Cromwell, he was one of th ...

). *''The Return of Mercies'', 1641. *''The Christian's Engagement'', 1641. *''Impedit ira animum, or Animadversions vpon . . . George Walker'', 1641, (Walker's ''Defence'', to which this is a reply, was published by Goodwin). *''Impvtatio Fidei, or a Treatise on Justification'', 1642. Later edited by

John Wesley John Wesley (; 2 March 1791) was an English people, English cleric, Christian theology, theologian, and Evangelism, evangelist who was a leader of a Christian revival, revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The soci ...

to combat Calvinist

. *''The Butcher's Blessing, or the Bloody Intentions of Romish Cavaliers'', 1642 (Jackson). *''Innocencies Triumph, or an Answer to ...

William Prynne William Prynne (1600 – 24 October 1669), an English lawyer, voluble author, polemicist and political figure, was a prominent Puritan opponent of church policy under William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury (1633–1645). His views were presbyter ...

'', &c., 1644, (two editions same year, defends his 'Θεομαχία'). ''Innocency and Truth Triumphing'', 1645, (continuation). ''Calumny Arraign'd'', 1645, (answer to Prynne's reply). * ''A Vindication of Free Grace'', 1645, (ed. by Samuel Lane, contains sermon 28 April 1644 by Goodwin, taken in shorthand by Thomas Rudyard). *''Twelve . . . Serious Cautions'', 1646. *''Some Modest and Humble Queries'', 1646 (Jackson). * ''Anapologesia Tes Antapologias, or The Inexcusablenesse of ... Antapologia'', 1646 (first and only part; against Thomas Edwards). *''A Candle to see the Sunne'', 1647, (appendix to ''Hagiomastix''). ''A Postscript ... to ... Hagiomastix'', 1647. *''Sion College Visited, or Animadversions on a Pamphlet of W. Jenkyns'', 1647 (i.e. January 1648). *''Nεοφυτοπρεβύτερος, or The Youngling Elder ... for the instruction of W. Jenkyn'', 1648. *''The Unrighteous Judge'', 1648 (i.e. 18 January 1649), reply to Sir

Francis Nethersole Sir Francis Nethersole (1587–1659) was an English diplomat, secretary to the Electress Elizabeth, Member of Parliament for Corfe Castle, Dorset, and a Civil War political pamphleteer. Early life Francis Nethersole was second son of John Neth ...

. *''Truth's Conflict with Error'', 1650, from shorthand report by John Weeks of disputations on

universal redemption Unlimited atonement (sometimes called general atonement or universal atonement) is a doctrine in Protestant Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the ...

by Goodwin against

Vavasor Powell Vavasor (or Vavasour) Powell (161727 October 1670) was a Welsh Nonconformist Puritan preacher, evangelist, church leader and writer, who was imprisoned for his role in a plot to depose King Charles II. Early life Powell was born in Knuck ...

, and John Simpson. *''The Remedy of Unreasonableness'', 1650 (Jackson). * *''Moses made Angry; a Letter ... to Dr. Hill'', 1651 (Jackson). *''Confidence Dismounted, or a Letter to Mr. Richard Resbury'', 1651 (Jackson). *''Εἰρηνομαχία, The Agreement and Distance of Brethren'', 1652; 1671. * ''A Paraphrase'', 1652; second edition with title ''An Exposition of the Ninth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans'', 1653 (dedicated to the Lord Mayor,

John Fowke John Fowke (c. 1596 – 22 April 1662) was an English merchant and politician. He served as a Sheriff of London for 1644 and Lord Mayor of London for 1652. He was the Member of Parliament for City of London in 1661–1662. Early life He was t ...

). *''Philadelphia, or XL Queries'', 1653, (on baptism). *''Thirty Queries'', 1653 (Jackson; on the magistrate's authority in religion). ''The Apologist Condemned'', 1653 (Jackson, a vindication of this work). *''Dissatisfaction Satisfied in Seventeen . . . Queries'', 1654 (Jackson). ''Peace Protected'', 1654, (amplification; contains a warning against the "fift monarchic" men). *''A Fresh Discovery of the High Presbyterian Spirit'', 1654, (controversy with six London booksellers, Thomas Underhill, Samuel Gellibrand, John Rothwell, Luke Fawne, Joshua Kirton, and Nathaniel Webb, who petitioned for the restraint of the press). ''The Six Booksellers Proctor Non-suited'', 1655. *''Mercy in her Exaltation'', 1655, (funeral sermon, 20 April, for Daniel Taylor). *''The Foot out of the Snare'', 1656 (by John Toldervy, who had been a quaker; part by Goodwin). *''Triumviri, or the Genius ... of ... Richard Resbury, John Pawson, and George Kendall'', 1658. *''Πλήρωμα τὰ Πνευματικόν, or a Being Filled with the Spirit'', posthumous 1670, with recommendatory epistle by

Ralph Venning Ralph Venning (c. 1621 – 10 March 1673 or 1674) was an English nonconformist Christian. Life The son of Francis and Joan Venning, he was born in Devon, perhaps at Kingsteignton, about 1621. He was the first convert of George Hughes, the purit ...

; it is included in James Nichol's series of standard divines. Goodwin edited William Fenner's ''Divine Message'', 1645.

Notes and references

Citations

Sources

* * * * * * *

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodwin, John 1594 births 1665 deaths 17th-century deaths from plague (disease) 17th-century English clergy 17th-century English male writers 17th-century English theologians Alumni of Queens' College, Cambridge Arminian ministers Arminian theologians Arminian writers Clergy from Norfolk