Meet The Puritans

How to Read Thomas Goodwin by Dr. Joel Beeke

Posted on 03. Sep, 2009 by Danny Hyde in Thomas Goodwin

Everyone who reads the Puritans knows Dr. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. I mean, come on, the guy is like the quintessential Dutch Puritan and the living embodiment of Wilhelmus a Brakel. Alright, enough of me buttering up thesis advisor. A while back he gave his thoughts on “How to Read Thomas Goodwin,” which I have received permission to reproduce here. Reformation Heritage Books has the twelve-volume set of Goodwin’s Works for $240. Tolle Lege.

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If I could have $5 for every time someone has asked me the question, “Who is your favourite Puritan to read?,” I suppose I’d be a wealthy man by now. Though I would probably answer that question today by saying, “Anthony Burgess—and he’s also one of the most neglected!,” for nearly two decades I would have said, “Thomas Goodwin.” I may be an oddball, but—dare I say it—I’ve usually gotten more out of reading Goodwin than reading John Owen.

The first collection of Goodwin’s works was published in five folio volumes in London from 1681 to 1704, under the editorship of Thankful Owen, Thomas Baron, and Thomas Goodwin Jr. An abridged version of those works was later printed in four volumes (London, 1847–50). This reprinted twelve-volume edition was printed by James Nichol (Edinburgh, 1861–66) in the Nichol’s Series of Standard Divines. It is far superior to the original five folio volumes.

Tags: Beeke, Goodwin