# “An earnest of heaven” by John Newton

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2021/09/15/an-earnest-of-heaven/
- Published: 2021-09-15T12:00:13-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“Tomorrow is the Sabbath. I am usually glad when it returns, though it seldom finds
me in that frame of mine which I would desire.

But it is my happiness to live amongst many who count the hours from one ordinance
to another.

I know they pray that I may be a messenger of peace, and an instrument of good to
their souls; and I have cause to hope their prayers are in a measure answered.

For their sakes, as much as my own, I am glad to go up to the house of the Lord.
O that in watering others I may be also watered myself!

I have been praying that tomorrow may be a day of power with you and with us, and
with all that love Jesus in sincerity; that we may see His glory, and taste His 
love in the sanctuary!

When it is thus, the Sabbath is a blessed day indeed, an earnest of heaven.

There they keep an everlasting sabbath, and cease not night or day admiring the 
riches of redeeming love, and adoring Him who washed His people from their sins 
in His own blood.

To have such imperfect communion with them as is in this state attainable in this
pleasing exercise, is what alone can make life worth the name.

For this I sigh and long, and cry to the Lord to rend the vail of unbelief, scatter
the clouds of ignorance, and break down the walls which sin is daily building up
to hide Him from my eyes.

I hope I can say, ‘My soul is athirst for God,’ and nothing less than the light 
of His countenance can satisfy me. Blessed be His Name for the desire: it is His
own gift, and He never gives it in vain.

He will afford us a taste of the water of life by the way; and ere long we shall
drink abundantly at the fountainhead, and have done with complaint for ever.

May we be thankful for what we receive, and still earnestly desirous of more.”

–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, 1988), 2: 201-202.

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