John Newton's Letters
On the gradual increase of gospel illumination
Dear Sir,
The day is now breaking: how beautiful its appearance! how welcome the
expectation of the approaching sun! It is this thought makes the dawn
agreeable, that it is the presage of a brighter light; otherwise, if we
expect no more day than it is this minute, we should rather complain of
darkness, than rejoice in the early beauties of the morning. Thus the life
of grace is the dawn of immortality: beautiful beyond expression, if
compared with the night and thick darkness which formerly covered us; yet
faint, indistinct, and unsatisfying, in comparison of the glory which shall
be revealed.
It is, however, a sure pledge: so surely as we now see
the light of the Sun of Righteousness, so surely shall we see the Sun
himself, Jesus the Lord, in all his glory and luster. In the mean time, we
have reason to be thankful for a measure of light to walk and work by, and
sufficient to show us the pits and snares by which we might be endangered:
and we have a promise, that our present light shall grow stronger and
stronger, if we are diligent in the use of the appointed means, until the
messenger of Jesus shall lead us within the veil, and then farewell shades
and obscurity for ever.
I can now almost see to write, and shall soon put the
extinguisher over my candle: I do this without the least reluctance, when I
enjoy a better light; but I should have been unwilling half an hour ago.
Just thus, methinks, when the light of the glorious Gospel shines into the
heart, all our former feeble lights, our apprehensions, and our
contrivances, become at once unnecessary and unnoticed. How cheerfully did
the Apostle put out the candle of his own righteousness, attainments, and
diligence, when the true Sun arose upon him! Phi. 3:7-8. Your last letter is
as a comment upon his determination. Adored be the grace that has given us
to be like-minded, even to "account all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord."
While I am writing, a new luster, which gilds the house
on the hill opposite to my study window, informs me that the sun is now
rising; he is rising to others, but not yet to me; my situation is lower, so
that they enjoy a few gleams of sunshine before me: yet this momentary
difference is inconsiderable, when compared to the duration of a whole day.
Thus some are called by grace earlier in life, and some later; but the
seeming difference will be lost and vanish when the great day of eternity
comes on. There is a time, the Lord's best appointed time, when he will
arise and shine upon many a soul that now sits "in darkness, and in the
region of the shadow of death."
I have been thinking on the Lord's conference with
Nicodemus; it is a copious subject, and affords room, in one part or other,
for the whole round of doctrinal and experimental topics. Nicodemus is an
encouraging example to those who are seeking the Lord's salvation: he had
received some favorable impressions of Jesus; but he was very ignorant, and
much under the fear of man. He dared only come by night; and at first,
though he heard, he understood not: but He, who opens the eyes of the blind,
brought him surely, though gently, forward. The next time we hear of him, he
dared put in a word in behalf of Christ, even in the midst of his enemies,
John 7:50-53; and at last, he had the courage openly and publicly to assist
in preparing the body of his Master for its funeral, at a time when our
Lord's more avowed followers had all forsook him, and fled. So true is that,
"Then you shall know, if you follow on to know the Lord;" and again, "He
gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he increases
strength."
Hope then, my soul, against hope; though your graces are
faint and languid, he who planted them will water his own work, and not
allow them wholly to die. He can make a little one as a thousand; at his
presence mountains sink into plains, streams gush out of the flinty rock,
and the wilderness blossoms as the rose. He can pull down what sin builds
up, and build up what sin pulls down; that which was impossible to us, is
easy to him; and he has bid us expect seasons of refreshment from His
presence. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.