“My friend, you will not be steadily comfortable, till you learn to derive your comforts from a simple apprehension of the person, work, and offices of Christ. He is made unto us of God, not only righteousness, but sanctification also.
One direct appropriating act of faith in him, will strengthen you more than all the earnest endeavours you speak of. Evidences, as you call them, are of use in their place.
But the best evidence of faith is the shutting our eyes equally upon our defects and our graces, and looking directly to Jesus as clothed with authority and power to save to the very utmost.
So you preach to others,—so you deal with exercised consciences; why not preach so to yourself? Will you point out a ground for their hopes, upon which you are afraid to venture your own?
Has He not kept you sound in the faith in wavering times? Does He not preserve you unspotted from the world? Does He not enable and own you in your ministry? Has He not often refreshed you with His consolations?
Do you not tell others, that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin? Why then do you give way to doubts and fears? I would have you humbled before the Lord for your unworthiness.
In this I wish I was more like you; but rejoice in Christ Jesus, and resist every temptation to doubt your interest in His love, as you would resist a temptation to adultery or murder.
Plead the apostle’s argument, Romans 8:31–38, before the Lord and against Satan, and do not dishonour Christ so as to imagine He will disappoint the desire which no power but his could implant in your heart.”
–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 6 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1820/1988), 6: 177-178.
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