Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - VIII - Book I commenced (Of gospel holiness)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'Of gospel holiness in the heart and life' by beginning Book I and reading Chapters 1 and 2.

My summary
Today we begin a new book, Of gospel holiness in the heart and life.  It is based on Paul's prayer in Philippians: 'And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.' (Philippians 1:9-11).

In Chapter 1 Goodwin explains what graces and dispositions are the inward springs of holiness:
(i) Love;
(ii) Knowledge;
(iii) Sense.

Then in Chapter 2 we learn the immediate consequences of these graces.  The next streams from these graces in the inward man are that in their judgements they might:
(i) approve of things most excellent;
(ii) discern things different;
(iii) be sincere.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the encouragement to have my love and knowledge increase 'Ordinarily men had need pray that their love might grow up to their knowledge ; but Paul here prays that their knowledge might grow up with, and to, their love. Usually men's knowledge is larger than their affections. It was, it seems, otherwise with these Philippians. There are usually extant these two sorts of Christians : affectionate, fond souls of Christ, but less knowing ; others more knowing, yet less passionate, though true Christians both. The primitive times give instances of both. The Corinthians were knowing Christians: 1 Cor. i. 4, 5, ' I thank God that in every thing ye are enriched in all knowledge and utterance ; ' but they were short in love. 1 Cor. viii. 2, 3, ' If any man thinks that he knoweth anything,' — he speaks home to them — ' he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.' And chap. xii. 31, they were for gifts : ' But yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.' And what was that ? Love. So in chap. xiii. 1, ' Though I speak with tongues of men and angels, and have not love,' &c., throughout. But to return to that chap. viii. 3, ' If any man love God, the same is known of him.' The speech carries the highest reproof with it ; it is as if he had said, You take care to get more knowledge, but God knows enough for you, if he knows you to be his. Take care to get more love, for ' if any man love God, the same is known of him.' And conform yourselves to God herein. God's loving of you is termed his knowing of you ; they are adequate, let them be so in you to him. '

May our love abound more and more.

Next week's reading
Continue Book I (Of gospel holiness) by reading Chapters 3 & 4.

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