John Newton's Letters
Simplicity and godly sincerity
"For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world."
2 Corinthians 1:12
Dear Sir,
It would be a happy time if all professors of the Gospel
could, with the Apostle, rejoice in the testimony of their consciences, that
they lived in simplicity and godly sincerity. How many evils and scandals
would be then prevented! But, alas! too many who name the name of Christ,
seem to have hardly any idea of this essential part of the Christian
character. A few thoughts upon a subject so little attended to, may not be
unseasonable. The most advanced in the Christian life have something of this
lesson yet to learn; and the greater proficiency we make in it, the greater
will be our inward peace, and the more will our light shine before men, to
the glory of our Heavenly Father.
Simplicity and sincerity, though inseparable, may be
distinguished. The former is the principle from which the latter is derived.
Simplicity primarily respects the frame of our spirit in the sight of God;
sincerity more directly regards our conduct as it falls under the
observation of men. It is true, the terms are frequently used
interchangeably for each other, and may be so without occasioning any
considerable mistake; but as they are not precisely the same, it may be
proper, if we would speak accurately, to keep this distinction in view.
Some people, who have been more enamored with the name of
simplicity than acquainted with its nature, have substituted in its
stead a childishness of language and manners; as if they understood the word
simple only in the mere vulgar sense, as equivalent to foolish. But
this infantile softness gives just disgust to those who have a true taste
and judgment of Divine things. An artificial or pretended simplicity is a
contradiction in terms, and differs as much from the simplicity of the
Gospel as paint does from beauty.
The true simplicity, which is the honor and strength of a
believer, is the effect of a spiritual perception of the truths of the
Gospel. It arises from, and bears a proportion to, the sense we have of our
own unworthiness, the power and grace of Christ, and the greatness of our
obligations to him. So far as our knowledge of these things is vital and
experimental, it will make us simple-hearted. This simplicity may be
considered in two respects, —a simplicity of intention, and a simplicity of
dependence. The former stands in opposition to the corrupt workings of self,
the latter to the false reasoning of unbelief.
Simplicity of intention, implies that we have but one
leading aim, to which it is our deliberate and unreserved desire that
everything else in which we are concerned may be subordinate and
subservient—in a word, that we are devoted to the Lord, and have by grace
been enabled to choose him, and to yield ourselves to him, so as to place
our happiness in his favor, and to make his glory and will, the ultimate
scope of all our actions. He well deserves this from us. He is the
all-sufficient good. He alone is able to satisfy the vast capacity he has
given us; for he formed us for himself: and those who have tasted he is
gracious, know that "his loving-kindness is better than life;" and that his
presence and fullness can supply the lack, or make up the loss, of all
creature-comforts.
So likewise he has a just claim to us that we should be
wholly his: for, besides that, as his creatures, we are in his hand as clay
in the hands of the potter, he has a redemption-title to us: He loved us,
and bought us with his own blood. He did not hesitate or halt between two
opinions, when he engaged to redeem our souls from the curse of the law and
the power of Satan. He could, in the hour of his distress, have summoned
legions of angels (had that been needful) to his assistance, or have
destroyed his enemies with a word or a look; he could easily have saved
himself; but how then could his people have been saved, or the promises of
the Scripture have been fulfilled? Therefore he willingly endured the cross,
he gave his back to the smiters, He poured out his blood, he laid down his
life. Here was an adorable simplicity of intention in him!
"And shall we not, O Lover of souls! be simply, heartily,
and wholly yours? Shall we refuse the cup of affliction from your hand, or
for your sake? Or shall we desire to drink of the cup of sinful pleasure,
when we remember what our sins have cost you? Shall we wish to be loved by
the world which hated you, or to be admired by the world which despised you?
Shall we be ashamed of professing our attachment to such a Savior? No, Lord,
forbid it. Let your love constrain us; let your name be glorified, and your
will be done, by us and in us. Let us count all things dross and dirt for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us not desire
anything which you see fit to withhold, nor repine to part with what you
call for; nor even take pleasure in what you bestow, unless we can improve
it for you; and ever prefer your love above our chief temporal joy!"
Such is the language of the heart that is blessed with
Gospel simplicity. It was once the strong-hold of sin, the throne of self;
but now self is cast down, and Jesus rules by the golden scepter of love.
This principle preserves the soul from low, sordid, and idolatrous pursuits;
will admit of no rival near the Beloved, nor will it yield either to the
bribes or threats of the world.
There is likewise a simplicity of dependence.
Unbelief is continually raising objections, magnifying and multiplying
difficulties. But faith in the power and promises of God inspires a noble
simplicity, and casts every care upon him, who is able and has engaged to
support and provide.
Thus, when Abraham, at the Lord's call, forsook
his country and his father's house, the Apostle observes, "he went out, not
knowing where he went." It was enough that he knew whom he followed: the
all-sufficient God was his guide, his shield, and his exceeding great
reward. So, when exercised with long waiting for the accomplishment of a
promise, he staggered not—he did not dispute or question—but simply depended
upon God, who had spoken, and was able also to perform. So likewise, when he
received that hard command to offer up his son, of whom it was said, "in
Isaac shall your seed be called," he simply obeyed, and depended upon the
Lord to make good his own word: Heb. 11:18-19.
In this spirit David went forth to meet Goliath, and
overcame him. And thus the three worthies were unawed by the threats of
Nebuchadnezzar, and rather chose to be cast into a burning furnace than to
sin against the Lord. And thus Elijah, in a time of famine, was preserved
from concern and need, and supported by extraordinary methods; 1Ki. 31 1:14
In these times we do not expect miracles, in the strict sense of the word;
but those who simply depend upon the Lord, will meet with such tokens of his
interposition in a time of need, as will, to themselves at least, be a
satisfying proof that he cares for them. How comfortable is it to us, as
well as ornamental to our profession, to be able to trust the Lord in the
path of duty! to believe that he will supply our needs, direct our steps,
plead our cause, and control our enemies! Thus he has promised, and it
belongs to Gospel simplicity to take his word against all discouragements.
This will animate us in the use of all lawful means, because the Lord has
commanded us to wait upon him in them: but it will likewise inspire
confidence and hope when all means seem to fail, Hab. 3:17, Hab. 3:18.
For lack of this dependence many dishonor their
profession, and even make shipwreck of the faith. Their hearts are not
simple; they do not trust in the Lord, but lean unto their own
understandings, and their hopes or fears are influenced by worms like
themselves. This causes a duplicity of conduct. They fear the Lord—and serve
other gods. By their language, at some times, one would suppose they desire
to serve the Lord only; but, as if they feared that he was not able to
protect or provide for them, they make a league with the world, and seek
either security or advantage from sinful compliances. These cannot rejoice
in the testimony of a good conscience. They must live miserably. They are
attempting to reconcile, what our Lord has declared to be utterly
incompatible, the service of God and Mammon. They have so much sense of
religion as embitters their worldly pursuits; and so much regard to the
world as prevents their receiving any real comfort from religion. These are
the lukewarm professors, neither hot nor cold; neither approved of men, nor
accepted of God. They can attend upon ordinances, and speak like Christians;
but their tempers are unsanctified, and their conduct irregular and
blamable. They are not simple; and therefore they cannot be sincere.
I need not take time to prove, that the effect of
simplicity will be sincerity. For those who love the Lord above all, who
prefer the light of his countenance to thousands of gold and silver, who are
enabled to trust him with all their concerns, and would rather be at his
disposal than at their own, will have but little temptation to insincerity.
The principles and motives upon which their conduct is formed, are the same
in public as in private. Their behavior will be all of one piece, because
they have but one design. They will speak the truth in love, observe a
strict punctuality in their dealings, and do unto others as they would
others should do unto them; because these things are essential to their
great aim of glorifying and enjoying their Lord. A fear of dishonoring his
name, and of grieving his Spirit, will teach them not only to avoid gross
and known sins, but to abstain from all appearance of evil. Their conduct
will therefore be consistent; and they will be enabled to appeal to all who
know them, "that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom,
but by the grace of God, they have conducted themselves in the world."
To a sincere Christian, that deceit and cunning which
passes for wisdom in the world, appears to be not only unlawful but
unnecessary. He has no need of the little reserves, evasions, and disguises,
by which designing men endeavor (though often in vain) to conceal their
proper characters, and to escape deserved contempt. He is what he seems
to be, and therefore is not afraid of being found out. He walks by the
light of the wisdom that is from above, and leans upon the arm of Almighty
Power; therefore he walks at liberty—trusting in the Lord, whom he serves
with his spirit in the Gospel of his Son.