Thomas Vincent was more than a popular Puritan preacher.  He also devoted himself extensively to educating young people. That experience is evident from his warm, practical approach in this book. Here, Vincent explains and applies the doctrines of the new birth and the perseverance of the saints. He includes his exchange of letters with a man who backslid from the religion of his youth, as well as a compendium of motives and directives for youth to keep from backsliding. This book closes with two extra sermons Vincent wrote for young people: "Christ the Best Husband: An Invitation to Young Women unto Christ"; and "The Best Gift: God's Call upon Young Men for Their Hearts."  

Paperback, 158 pages, Soli Deo Gloria

Contents

The Good Work Begun

Introduction

Section 1
The first doctrine: the good work of grace in the soul is begun by the Lord

Section 2
The subject of this good work of grace: the soul

Section 3
Concerning God, the Author of this good work

Section 4
Why does the Lord begin this good work in any of the children of men?

Section 5
The first use

Section 6
The second use

Section 7
The second doctrine: the good work which God begins in the day of grace He will perform until the day of Christ

Section 8
The fourth particular

Section 9
The second argument proving that gracious persons shall never fall from the good work begun in them

Section 10
Objections and answers against the perseverance of the saints

Section 11
The application

Appendix 1
A cautionary letter sent b y a n unknown author to some youths belonging to the congregation of Mr. Thomas Vincent

Appendix 2
A return of thanks to the author of the previous leter

Appendix 3
Cautionary motives and directions unto youths professing religion, to keep them from apostasy and backsliding

Christ the Best Husband
Inviting young women to Christ

The Best Gift
God's call upon young men for their hearts

Endorsements

“The Good Work Begun is a brief but theologically rich discussion of a Christian’s persevering grace. Vincent demonstrates that the grace begun in the soul will be brought to full completion, from its beginning in regeneration to its growth in sanctification and its fulfillment in glory. He tackles doubts and fears, and he encourages a penetrating self-examination while also directing struggling saints to an assurance based more on God’s faithfulness than on the ebbing and flowing of subjective experiences. This is vintage Vincent. That he addresses covenant youth in the church only adds to its value.”
—Randall J. Pederson, editor of Day by Day with the English Puritans

About the Author

Thomas Vincent (1634–1678) graduated from Christ’s College, Oxford, and became rector of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street, London. After being ejected in 1662 under the Act of Uniformity, Vincent assisted Thomas Doolittle at the nonconformist academy in Islington.