John Newton is best known for writing “Amazing Grace”, but he wrote much more than that. The following is taken from the “Letters of John Newton”:
My dear Madam,
There is something fascinating in GRIEF. As painful as it is, we are prone to indulge it, and to brood over the thoughts and circumstances which are suited (like fuel to fire) to heighten and prolong it!
When the Lord afflicts–it is His design that we should grieve; but in this, as in all other things–there is a certain moderation which befits a Christian, and which only grace can teach. And grace teaches us, not by books or by hearsay–but by experimental lessons. All beyond this, should be avoided and guarded against as sinful and hurtful.
GRIEF, when indulged and excessive . . .
preys upon the spirits,
injures health,
indisposes us for duty, and
causes us to shed tears which deserve more tears.
This is a weeping world. Sin has filled it with thorns and briars, with crosses and calamities. This poor world is a great hospital, resounding with groans in every quarter. It is as a field of battle, where many are falling around us continually! It is more astonishing that we escape so well–than that we are sometimes wounded. We must have some share of grief; it is the unavoidable lot of our nature and state; it is likewise needful in point of discipline. The Lord will certainly chasten those whom He loves, though others may seem to pass for a time with impunity. That is a sweet, instructive, and important passage,
“ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth , and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth . If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence : shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live ? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit , that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby . ” Hebrews 12:5-11.
It is so plain–that it needs no comment. It is so full–that a comment would but weaken it. May the Lord inscribe it upon your heart, my dear Madam, and upon mine.
