# “Lord, help me to say, ‘What Thou will, when Thou will, and how Thou will'” by John Newton

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2020/05/18/lord-help-me-to-say-what-thou-will-when-thou-will-and-how-thou-will-by-john-newton/
- Published: 2020-05-18T12:00:58-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“It becomes us to say, ‘It is not necessary for me to be rich, or what the world
accounts wise; to be healthy, or admired by my fellow-worms; to pass through life
in a state of prosperity and outward comfort.’ These things _may_ be, or they _may
be otherwise_, as the Lord in His wisdom shall appoint.

But it _is_ necessary for me to be humble and spiritual, to seek communion with 
God, to adorn my profession of the Gospel, and to yield submissively to His disposal,
in whatever way, whether of service or suffering, He shall be pleased to call me
to glorify Him in the world.

It is not necessary for me to live long, but highly expedient that whilst I do live
I should live to Him. Here then I would bound my desires; and here, having His word
both for my rule and my warrant, I am secured from asking amiss.

Let me have His presence and His Spirit, wisdom to know my calling, and opportunities
and faithfulness to improve them. And as to the rest, Lord, help me to say, ‘_What
Thou will, when Thou will, and how Thou will_.'”

–John Newton, [_The Works of John Newton_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848715110?tag=toletaupanre-20),
[_Volume 2_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848715110?tag=toletaupanre-20) (Carlisle,
PA: Banner of Truth, 2015), 2: 228-229.

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