GOODWIN, THOMAS (160o-168o) , English Nonconform ist divine, was born at Rollesby, Norfolk, on Oct. 5, 160o, and was educated at Christ's college, Cambridge, and became a fellow of Catharine Hall. In 1625 he was licensed a preacher of the uni versity; he became lecturer and then vicar (163 2) of Trinity church, Cambridge. Worried by his bishop, who was a zealous adherent of Laud, he resigned all his preferments and left the university in 1634. He lived for some time in London; but in 1639 he withdrew to Holland. Returning to London soon after Laud's impeachment by the Long Parliament, he became minister of an independent congregation in Lime St., East London. In 1643 he was chosen a member of the Westminster Assembly, and at once identified himself with the Congregational party. In 1650 he became president of Magdalen college, Oxford, a post which he held until the Restoration. He was one of Cromwell's intimate advisers, attending him on his death-bed. He was also a commis sioner for the inventory of the Westminster Assembly, 165o, and for the approbation of preachers, 1653, and together with John Owen (q.v.) drew up an amended Westminster Confession in 1658. From 166o until his death on Feb. 23, 168o he lived in Lon don as pastor of the Fetter Lane Independent church.
See his Works (5 vols., 1681-1704; reprinted 12 vo1s., Edin., 1861-66) ; a memm. prefixed to vol. v. of his Works; and a sketch by Addison in No. 494 of the Spectator.