Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - I - Book I (Of the Creatures)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Book I 'Of The creatures, and the condition of their state by creation'.

My summary
Today we begin to reading Volume VII of the Works of Thomas Goodwin.  The volume begins with a book entitled 'Of the creatures, and the condition of their state by creation'.  The book is divided into two 'books' and we read the whole of the first book today which contains three chapters.

In Chapter 1 Goodwin teaches us that creatures are not God and so should not be worshipped as such.

Then in Chapter 2 Goodwin explains that creatures were not from eternity existing in God.

Lastly, in Chapter 3 we see the infinite distance between God and creatures as he is:
(i) the maker and preserver of creatures;
(ii) the one inhabiting eternity;
(iii) the high and lofty one;
(iv) the one whose name is Holy.

What grabbed me
There is a powerful reason for a creature to claim to be God: 'Again, To argue this from invincible reason. If all things were God, all difference of good and evil would be taken away, and God should sin in all that is acted in and by the creature, which is that these men do aim at, to have their consciences discharged of all obligations. If they can once persuade their souls that they are God, then as God sins not, so nor do they.'

If you believe God is not God, then sin is completely redefined and your responsibility removed.  A powerful motive for unbelief in the true God!

Next week's reading
Commence Book II 'Of The creatures, and the condition of their state by creation' by reading Chapters 1, 2 & 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.