This week in Christian history: Thomas Goodwin dies, Gregorian calendar adopted, John Chrysostom becomes bishop
Thomas Goodwin dies – Feb. 23, 1680
This week marks the anniversary of when Thomas Goodwin, a noted English Congregationalist preacher, theologian and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, died at 79.
Born in Rollesby, Norfolk, Goodwin graduated from Christ’s College of Cambridge in 1616 and then served as vicar of Trinity Church at the institution from 1632 to 1634.
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Goodwin briefly fled England due to the persecution of Puritans, but later returned in 1640 to found a Congregationalist church and then served as chaplain to Cromwell when he took over the government as Lord Protector.
“Goodwin helped draft the Savoy Declaration of 1658, a confession of faith for Congregationalism. From 1649, the first year of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth, until the end of the Protectorate nine years later, Goodwin headed Magdalen College, Oxford,” according to Britannica.
“As chaplain to Cromwell, Goodwin reportedly told him at his deathbed that he was assured of salvation. Goodwin devoted his last years to study and writing; he was the author of five volumes of Works, collected and published posthumously (1681–1704).”
