“He undertakes to do all for us, in us, and by us” by John Newton
“I do not wonder, my dear Sir, that, though you are persuaded God will not fail on His part and forsake you first, yet you have sensible fears and apprehensions lest you should forsake Him.
The knowledge you have of your own weakness, must make your system very uncomfortable, while it leaves your final salvation to depend (as you express it) entirely upon yourself.
It must, it will be so. The admission of a mixed gospel, which indeed is no gospel at all, will bring disquiet into the conscience.
If you think you are in the same circumstances, as to choice and power, as Adam was, I cannot blame you for fearing lest you should acquit yourself no better than he did.
Ah! my dear Sir, Jesus came not only that we might have the life which sin had forfeited, restored unto us, but that we might have it more abundantly; the privileges greater, and the tenure more secure: for now our life is not in our own keeping, but is hid with Christ in God.
He undertakes to do all for us, in us, and by us, and He claims the praise and honour of the whole, and is determined to save us in such a way as shall stain the pride of all human glory, that he who glorieth may glory in the Lord.
I long to see you disentangled from the scheme you seem to have adopted, because I long to see you happy and comfortable.
It is good to have our hope fixed upon a rock, for we know not what storms and floods may come to shake it.
I have no doubt but your soul rests upon the right foundation, but you have incautiously admitted wood, hay, and stubble into your edifice, which will not stand the fiery trial of temptation.
I would no more venture my soul upon the scheme which you commend, than I would venture my body for a voyage to the East Indies in a London wherry.
I know you too well to suppose you will be offended with my freedom.
However, in a point of such importance, I dare not in conscience disguise or suppress my sentiments.
May the Lord, by his Holy Spirit, guide us both into the paths of peace and truth.
I am, dear Sir,
Your affectionate and obliged servant,
John Newton
December 5, 1778”
–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Vol. 6, Ed. Richard Cecil (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 6: 241-243.
