“It is better of the two to suffer from Satan’s fiery darts than to be lulled asleep, and drawn into a careless security by his more subtle, though less perceptible devices; so as to grow indifferent to the means of grace, and sink into a worldly spirit.
Or, like the church of Laodicea, to imagine ourselves ‘rich, and increased in goods, and that we have need of nothing.’ (Rev. 3:14-22)
But I am persuaded this is not your case; the deadness you complain of, and which is a burden you groan under, is a very different thing.
And I advise you to be cautious how you indulge a desire to be exercised with Satan’s temptations, as supposing they would be conducive to make you more spiritual, or would of course open you a way to greater consolations.
If you have such a desire, I may say to you, in our Lord’s words, ‘You know not what you ask.’ (Matt. 20:22) He, who knows our weakness, and the power of our adversary, has graciously directed us to pray, that we enter not into temptation. (Matt. 26:41)
Have you considered what the enemy can do, if he is permitted to come in like a flood? In one hour he could raise such a storm as would put you to your wits end.
He could bring such a dark cloud over your mind, as would blot out all remembrance of your past comforts, or at least prevent you from deriving the least support from them.
He could not only fight against your peace, but shake the very foundations of your hope and bring you to question, not only your interest in the promises, but even to doubt of the most important and fundamental truths upon which your hopes have been built.
Be thankful, therefore, if the Lord restrains his malice.
A young sailor is often impatient of a short calm, but the experienced mariner, who has been often tossed with tempests, and upon the point of perishing, will seldom wish for a storm.
In a word, let us patiently wait upon the Lord, and be content to follow as He leads, and He will surely do us good.”
–John Newton, Wise Counsel: John Newton’s Letters to John Ryland Jr., 2nd Edition, Ed. Grant Gordon (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2009/2026), 28-29.
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