John Newton, the author of Amazing
Grace, wrote to pastor David Williamson concerning a book that Williamson
had published on civil and religious liberty. The context was the bloody French
Revolution – I mention this because the French Revolution was certainly a
threat to England, both socially and militarily.
Newton writes in part, “My dear
sir, my prayer to God for you is, that he may induce you to employ the talents
he has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every
existing evil, and to engage those who love and fear him, instead of losing
time in political speculation.” (John Newton, Wise Counsel, John Newton’s
Letters to John Ryland, Jr., Grant Gordon editor, Banner of Truth, 2009).
In Newton’s letter to pastor John
Ryland, Jr. of November 6, 1793, in which he touches on David Williamson’s book
and his letter to Williamson, Newton writes:
“The times are awfully dark, but
the Lord reigns…However, it shall be well with the righteous. I am, or would
be, of no sect or party, civil or religious;[i] but a lover of mankind. It
is my part to mourn over sin, and the misery which sin causes, to be humbled
for my own sins especially, to pray for peace, and to preach the gospel. Other
things I leave to those who have more leisure and ability, and I leave the whole
to Him who does all things well.” (Ibid).
What can we learn from John
Newton? If we believe the words he penned in Amazing Grace, what should
that look like in our lives? In my life? In your life? In the lives of our churches?
[i]
While Newton was an Anglican priest, he had fellowship and participated in
ministry with non-Anglicans who loved Christ and the Gospel. John Ryland, Jr.
was a Baptist. Newton was focused on what C.S. Lewis later regarded as “Mere
Christianity” – the core of the Gospel.
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