The Vanity of Thoughts (Goodwin) - Puritan Treasures for Today

Author:

Goodwin, Thomas

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SKU:

9798886861426

Publisher:

Reformation Heritage Books

Format:

Paperback

Pages:

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eBook

Description

How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
—Jeremiah 4:14

The heart is like a boardinghouse where we welcome and entertain many ideas like guests. In The Vanity of Thoughts, Thomas Goodwin helps us consider our native tendency to harbor frivolous and sinful mental companions. And having identified the severity of our condition, Goodwin encourages us to humbly and mindfully perform some much-needed housekeeping. He also provides remedies against these unprofitable inhabitants. We live in an age of information and a culture of entertainment. Here is a timely reminder about the vital importance of our thought life with a call to bring every thought captive to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Contents
Preface

Introduction

The Nature of Thoughts
The Meaning of Vanity
Reluctance toward Good Thoughts
Evil Thoughts
Sinful Imaginations
Practical Uses
Remedies against Vain Thoughts

Appendix: How Thoughts Reveal Our Hearts

Endorsement
“Thomas Goodwin thinks that you should think about your thinking. In a world that not merely allows but actively promotes and fuels vain thinking, Goodwin’s sweet and punchy little treatment of our mental-moral processes is a gem. He helps us not only identify foolish and frothy notions and imaginations but shows us how to stave them off while also filling our minds with the best things. Plainly and practically, Goodwin reminds us that Christianity is a genuinely thoughtful and truly holy religion.”
— Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, England

About the Author
Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680) received his theological training at Cambridge University and held the presidency of Magdalen College at Oxford University. He acted as a commissioner to the Westminster Assembly and was also a prominent member of the Savoy Assembly of Congregational Elders and Messengers. He faithfully served as pastor to the Fetter Lane Independent Church in London until his death.

5
Thank you for making this available!

Posted by Mike Spalione on 8th Dec 2024

A very insightful treatment of the thoughts of the heart of man(me). Thankful for the gentle, and yet cutting truths handled by one who knew the Master's dealing with his own soul by His Word and Spirit.
5
Clarity, Brevity, Pertinence, Application, Usefulness

Posted by Gerald Lautner on 20th Nov 2024

This is a most faithful and useful update of Goodwin’s excellent insights into our corrupted thoughts by nature.

Pastor Hedges takes Goodwin’s God-given wisdom from scripture about the nature of our thoughts as they are disordered and corrupted by the fall, and updates the language, clarifies and simplifies Goodwin’s writing (his thoughts) on this most important and essential topic.

Goodwin, with Hedges help, shows us why and how our thoughts are vain, disordered, foolish and sinful by nature but he does not stop there. For while it is necessary to first understand the extent of the problem before we are inclined to correct it; it also essential to know how to go about the business of “bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ”.

Yes, this is actually possible, to a great extent, even in this life, otherwise we would not be instructed to do so by scripture. And in this age of near infinite external distractions to meaningful, profitable thinking, such as has never before have existed, how timely and useful is this little book by Goodwin, who was not as distracted by the world, flesh, and devil, as some great Puritan thinkers, even in the Puritan days, when such distractions were more recognized and set aside, than in previous, and succeeding, times.

Please do go and think about this little book and reap the rewards it will inevitably provide for all whom The Spirit of Christ illuminates through its prayerful meditation.