Goodwin's notoriety as a republican Independent was rivalled only by his reputation as a pugnacious proponent of Arminian theology. This chapter will tell the story of how and why he finally broke with Calvinism, going on to become (in the words of Milton's biographer, John Toland) ‘the great Spreader of Arminianism’.

Conversion to Arminianism

On 1 April 1645, George Thomason collected yet another pamphlet assailing the controversial vicar of St Stephen's, Coleman Street. It was entitled A Vindication of Free-Grace in Opposition to this Arminian Position – Naturall Men may do such things as whereunto God hath by way of Promise annexed Grace and Acceptation – preached by John Goodwin. The author, Samuel Lane, had been a devoted admirer of Goodwin and he compared the gathered church to ‘a Garden of many excellent Flowers, whereof tis hard to pick the fairest’. He had, however, been greatly disturbed by some statements his pastor had made from the pulpit in April 1644. Goodwin had been preaching a series of sermons against the Arminians, but as one might expect from a protégé of Davenant and Preston, he had tried to make Arminianism redundant by modifying Calvinism to make it more acceptable. According to Lane, Goodwin's efforts had been ‘greatly approved by many’, who declared that he had ‘cut the hair between other Divines and the Arminians’ and urged him to publish the sermons.

Lane disagreed. Far from finding a mediating position, Goodwin had fallen into Arminianism. Lane’s fears were confirmed by a conversation with two members of a sizeable sect, presumably the General Baptists, who taught that ‘God hath promised grace upon man’s doing’. These men told Lane that ‘in holding this Tenent, they held but that which Master John Goodwin maintaines, in whom they greatly glory’.