“The best of men have a spice of self about them, and self will always be a stickler for his own party. I am comforted with the thought that the hour is coming, when we shall all be of one mind. May we now be of one heart!
There are neither Churchmen nor Dissenters, neither Independents, Baptists, nor Methodists in heaven. They are all worshippers and followers of the lamb that was slain.
Should I be charged with being a party man myself; probably I ought to plead guilty, for who can understand his own errors? I hope I may honestly say, that I watch, pray and endeavour, to be less and less influenced by a party spirit.
And to love those all alike, who give evidence that they are new creatures, and baptized with the Holy Ghost; whether their baptism by men, has been in a tub, or a pond, or a river, or by only pouring a little water upon their faces.
After Ridley and Hooper had differed and almost quarrelled about copes surplices, and other trifles, they were both shut up by Queen Mary as sheep for the slaughter.
Then Bishop Ridley wrote to Hooper, to this purpose, ‘Brother, though you and I could not agree about black and white, I rejoice to find that we can agree in red.’
Perhaps the present state of things may produce something of this effect. A storm that drives the sheep of Christ (who scatter and divide themselves) closer together, may be preferable to a calm, which by seducing them into a wrong spirit makes them ready to bite and devour each other.
Baptist as you are, my heart prays sincerely for your comfort and success, that the Lord may fill your heart with His wisdom, grace and peace; that He may bless you in your family, in your ministry, in your academy, make you a happy instrument of watering many by His gospel, and that you may be abundantly watered in your own soul from Himself.
I am your affectionate friend and brother,
John Newton”
–John Newton, Wise Counsel: John Newton’s Letters to John Ryland Jr., 2nd Edition, Ed. Grant Gordon (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2009/2026), 333-334.
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