Thomas Goodwin facts for kids
Thomas Goodwin (born in Rollesby, Norfolk, on October 5, 1600, and died on February 23, 1680) was an important English religious leader. He was known as "the Elder" to tell him apart from others with the same name. Thomas Goodwin was a Puritan theologian, which means he studied religion deeply and preached about it. He was also a key leader of a group called the Independents, who believed churches should be separate from government control. He worked as a chaplain for Oliver Cromwell, a very powerful leader in England at the time. In 1650, the English Parliament chose Goodwin to be the President of Magdalen College, Oxford, a famous university.
Early Life and Studies
Thomas Goodwin started studying at Cambridge University in August 1613 when he was just 12 years old. He first attended Christ's College, Cambridge, and earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1616.
In 1619, he moved to another part of Cambridge University called Catharine Hall. The next year, in 1620, he was chosen as a "fellow," which meant he was a senior member of the college, often a teacher or researcher. During this time, he was greatly inspired by a Puritan preacher named John Rogers. Goodwin would ride about 35 miles from Cambridge to Dedham just to listen to Rogers preach.
By 1625, he was allowed to preach at the university. Three years later, he became a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. In 1632, the king himself appointed Goodwin to be the vicar (a type of priest) of that church.
Becoming an Independent Leader
Goodwin faced problems with his bishop, a church leader who strongly supported William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Because of these difficulties, Goodwin decided to give up his church positions and leave Cambridge University in 1634. He then became a Congregationalist, which was another name for an Independent. This meant he believed each church should govern itself, without a central authority like a bishop.
He lived in London for a while, and in 1638, he married the daughter of an important city official. In 1639, to avoid being persecuted for his religious beliefs, he moved to Holland. There, he became the pastor of a small church for English merchants and people who had also fled England.
He returned to England soon after the Long Parliament began, which was a time of big changes in the government. He became a minister for an Independent church in London and quickly became a very well-known preacher.
A Key Puritan Figure
In 1643, Thomas Goodwin was chosen to be a member of the Westminster Assembly. This was a group of important religious leaders who met to discuss and reform the Church of England. Goodwin quickly joined the "Independent" group within the Assembly. They were sometimes called the "dissenting brethren" because they disagreed with some of the main ideas. He was also one of the writers of an important document called An Apologeticall Narration.
Goodwin often preached to the House of Commons (part of the English Parliament). In January 1650, Parliament recognized his talents and learning by making him the President of Magdalen College, Oxford. He held this important position until 1660, when the monarchy was restored in England.
In December 1655, Goodwin attended the Whitehall Conference. Here, he and another Independent leader, Philip Nye, argued that Jewish people should be allowed to return to England. They believed God was punishing England for not letting them back in, and that their return was needed for their conversion. From 1656, Goodwin served as a chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, who was then the most powerful person in England. Goodwin became one of Cromwell's close advisors and was even with him when he died.
Goodwin also helped with other important tasks. He was a commissioner for the Westminster Assembly's inventory in 1650 and for approving preachers in 1653. He also led a committee with John Owen that created the Savoy Declaration in 1658. This was a revised version of an earlier religious statement called the Westminster Confession.
From 1660 until his death, he lived in London and focused on studying theology and leading the Independent church at Fetter Lane. By the early 1670s, his health was not good. He passed away on February 23, 1680, and was buried in Bunhill Fields burial ground.
His Writings
Most of the works Thomas Goodwin published during his lifetime were sermons that the House of Commons ordered to be printed. He also helped write the Apologeticall Narration in 1643.
In 1645, Goodwin published his book The Heart of Christ in Heaven towards Sinners on Earth. This book became very popular quickly and was even translated into German. Some people believe this work might have inspired the Roman Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart.
After his death, five volumes of his sermons and other writings were published between 1682 and 1704. These works have been reprinted many times. His complete writings, which include his thoughts on the Epistle to the Ephesians and the Apocalypse (parts of the Bible), were published in five large volumes between 1681 and 1704.
Edmund Calamy the Elder, another important religious figure, described Goodwin as "a considerable scholar and an eminent divine." He also said Goodwin was very good at explaining the Bible in surprising ways that helped people understand it better.
A memoir about Thomas Goodwin, written by his son Thomas Goodwin the Younger, was included in the fifth volume of his collected works. His life was also mentioned by Anthony Wood in his book Athenae Oxonienses.
