“I hope, in the midst of all your engagements, you find a little time to read His good Word, and to wait at His mercy-seat. It is good for us to draw nigh to Him.
It is an honour that He permits us to pray; and we shall surely find He is a God hearing prayer. Endeavour to be diligent in the means; yet watch and strive against a legal spirit, which is always aiming to represent him as a hard master, watching, as it were, to take advantage of us.
But it is far otherwise. His name is Love: He looks upon us with compassion; He knows our frame, and remembers that we are but dust.
And when our infirmities prevail, He does not bid us despond, but reminds us that we have an Advocate with the Father, who is able to pity, to pardon, and to save to the uttermost.
Think of the names and relations he bears. Does He not call Himself a Saviour, a Shepherd, a Friend, and a Husband?
Has he not made known unto us His love, His blood, His righteousness, His promises, His power, and His grace, and all for our encouragement?
Away then with all doubting, unbelieving thoughts; they will not only distress your heart, but weaken your hands.
Take it for granted upon the warrant of His word, that you are His, and He is yours; that He has loved you with an everlasting love, and therefore in loving-kindness has drawn you to Himself; that He will surely accomplish that which He has begun, and that nothing which can be named or thought of shall ever be able to separate you from Him.
This persuasion will give you strength for the battle; this is the shield which will quench the fiery darts of Satan; this is the helmet which the enemy cannot pierce.
Whereas if we go forth doubting and fearing, and are afraid to trust any farther than we can feel, we are weak as water, and easily overcome.
Be strong, therefore, not in yourself, but in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Pray for me.”
–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 143-144.
