Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - XVI - Book III continued (Of gospel holiness)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Book III (Of gospel holiness) by reading Chapter 6.

My summary
Goodwin continues to teach us motives for obedience.  This week it is by demonstrating that 'there is a common engagement of all believers against Satan in fighting against sin, and that they are to point and direct their opposition against him. My purpose is not to enlarge upon the warfare of a Christian, the subject of so many tongues and pens, but my scope is to whet and edge your spirits against sin, whenever you find your spirits tempted and lusts high, and to animate you unto an opposition to the devil.'

Thus Goodwin firstly shows us the history of the war against Satan.

Secondly Goodwin gives us considerations to strengthen our spirits against sin and Satan.  We are to consider:
(i) how ancient a war this is;
(ii) all that is holy in heaven or earth are combined with you in this quarrel;
(iii) Christ came down into the field and was tempted as you are and died to overcome on your behalf;
(iv) how it was told you that your Saviour perfectly triumphed for you over this devil.

Thirdly Goodwin concludes with a few words of further direction and encouragement drawn from what Peter says in 1 Peter 5:9 'Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.'

What grabbed me
I loved the encouragement at the end that we're not alone in our fight against Satan: 'A second ground of encouragement is from this, that all the brotherhood's being involved thus in temptations is part of the communion of saints. Consider how not all singly, but all jointly as one man, are engaged with you in the same strivings ; and so helping one another, ye strive together as one man....one is fighting in one place, another in another ; one against one lust, another against another ; and this should hearten all and every one. This mightily encourageth soldiers that they fight together. Now thou hast the hearts of all the saints with thee ; yea, every one helps each other by their prayers, by their victories ; yea, by virtue of this communion of saints, all the prayers thou puttest up for thyself are for the whole, and what thou losest is lost to the whole party. How doth this move the Jesuits in their undertakings everywhere in the world ! What thou winnest is won to the whole party ; every prayer thou puttest up for thyself is put up for the whole, as Christ in that his form of prayer hath instructed us. And at the latter day you will all rejoice together, and stories will be told who did most valiantly at such and such a time ; how thou wert stormed, and the devil's mine sprung, which he had been a long while a-contriving, and how thou stoodest it out against all.'

Don't let the team down and give in to Satan.  Stand firm and fight!

Next week's reading
Conclude Book III (Of gospel holiness) by reading Chapters 7 and 8.

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