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John Newton Quotes

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A Selection of John Newton Quotes and Hymns

Reflecting on his early life: “[I was] a ringleader in blasphemy and wickedness. Not content with running the broad way myself, I was tireless in enticing others; and, had my influence been equal to my wishes, I would have carried all along with me. I had the ambition of a Caesar or an Alexander, and wanted to rank in wickedness among the foremost of the human race”

Christ is All!

“When indeed we are willing to be nothing, that he may be all in all, in us and for us, then I think we reach the very acme (the pinnacle) of our profession. Then, while we feel that we have no sufficiency of ourselves, we shall be enabled to do all things that occur in the line of duty, through him strengthening us”

“When we understand what the Scripture teaches of the person and love of Christ, the necessity of his humiliation unto death, and feel our own need of such a Saviour, we then know him to be the light, the sun of the world and of the soul, the source of all spiritual light, life, comfort and influence; having access to God by him, and receiving out of his fullness grace for grace. And thus, we derive all our sufficiency of every kind from Jesus, the fountain of grace. And such dependence on Christ empowers us: “Oh, it is a great thing to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus!” (quoting 2 Tim. 2:1).

Looking to Christ:

“The duty, the privilege, the safety, the unspeakable happiness, of a believer, are all comprised in one sentence: Looking unto Jesus.”

“Every step along the path of life is a battle for the Christian to keep two eyes on Christ”.

“One believing sight of him [Jesus] will do more to restore peace to the conscience, and life to our graces, than all our own lamentations and resolutions.”

“Compare your sins with his blood, your wants with his fullness, your unbelief with his faithfulness, your weakness with his strength, your inconstancy with his everlasting love. If the Lord opens the eyes of your understanding, you would be astonished at the comparison”.

“Hungering and thirsting for Christ is the central daily Christian discipline— to see him clearly and to depend on him for hourly supplies of wisdom, strength, and comfort. Indeed, the more you know him, the better you will trust him; the more you trust him, the better you will love him; the more you love him, the better you will serve him.”

“I am prone to puzzle myself about twenty things, which are equally out of my power, and equally unnecessary, if the Lord be my Shepherd.”

“May we be enabled from henceforth to serve Jesus Christ with a single eye and a simple heart, to be faithful to every intimation of his will, and to make him our All in all”.

Newton’s prayer for his friends: “I pray that you may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus. To know Jesus is the shortest description of grace; to know him better, is the surest mark of growth in grace; and to know him perfectly is eternal life”

Newton's prayer for himself: “I trust the great desire of my soul is that Christ may be all in all to me, that my whole dependence, love, and aim, may centre in him alone.”

John Newton’s last recorded words: “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Saviour.” cf. “Our sins are many, but his mercies are more: our sins are great, but his righteousness is greater.”

Hymns:

My Grace is Sufficient for Thee

Oppressed with unbelief and sin,
Fightings without, and fears within;
While earth and hell, with force combined,
Assault and terrify my mind:

What strength have I against such foes,
Such hosts and legions to oppose?
Alas! I tremble, faint, and fall;
Lord, save me, or I give up all.

Thus sorely pressed, I sought the Lord,
To give me some sweet cheering word;
Again I sought, and yet again;
I waited long, but not in vain.

Oh! ’twas a cheering word indeed!
Exactly suited to my need;
“Sufficient for you is my grace,
Your weakness my great power displays.”

Now I despair and mourn no more,
I welcome all I feared before;
Though weak, I’m strong; though troubled, blessed;
For Christ’s own power shall on me rest.

My grace would soon exhausted be,
But his is boundless as the sea;
Then let me boast, with holy Paul,
That I am nothing, Christ is all.

I Asked the Lord

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue Thine own to death?
“‘Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.

1 Comment

Many thanks Ben, very impacting words. A most valuable resource. It has encouraged me to look at other hymns that Newton wrote. Some time ago I downloaded "the Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts" from the internet and intend studying these when I get the time.

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