Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - XI - Book II commenced (Of gospel holiness)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Book II (Of gospel holiness) by reading Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4.

My summary
Now we begin a second book in the work, 'Of Gospel holiness in the heart and life'.

Book Two expounds the verses: 'Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:21-23)'.

So in Chapter One we are given a quick overview of where Goodwin is headed with the discourse:
(i) what is justification by faith;
(ii) what it means to be a friend of God.

Thus in Chapter Two Goodwin demonstrates that 'Paul's judging according to works, and James his justification by works, are all one, and are alike consistent with Paul's justification by faith only.'

Then in Chapter Three Goodwin shows that as Abraham was called a friend of God upon the act of of offering up his son, we too are God's friends if we have a 'working' faith.

Then Chapter Four finishes today's reading with some exhortations to be friends with God.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the reading today, particularly the last chapter on how wonderful it is to have God as a friend: 'In all afflictions he will stand thy friend. When thou art in greatest trials and distresses, then he will shew himself most to be a friend, which indeed is the time for the trial of a friend ...Yea, further it is said, Ps. xli. 3, that ' he makes our bed in our sickness.' It is put to express the highest tenderness in distress, a condescending to do the meanest office, a readiness to supply all wants and deficiencies ; and in that he says, he will make all thy bed, it imports utmost and universal diligence and care in that which is committed to servants of the lowest rank. He will as a friend sit by thy bedside, lay thy pillow for thee, make thy bed easy ; that is, make a distressed condition comfortable, fetch thee anything, take care of everything, apply himself so to thee that thou shalt then say, thou art in ease in the midst of trouble.'

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Next week's reading 
Continue Book II (Of gospel holiness) by reading Chapters 5 and 6.

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