# “Astonishing goodness has followed me ” by John Newton

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- Published: 2026-07-29T06:00:00-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“I find _vanity_ engraven in capital letters, on myself and every thing around me;
and, while encompassed with mercies, and so thoroughly satisfied with my outward
condition, that I could hardly wish a single circumstance altered, I feel emptiness,
and groan being burdened.

If you think, by my writing in this strain, that I am very spiritual, you will be
greatly mistaken. But I can say, I wish to be so.

My preaching seems, in some respects, contrary to my experience. The two points 
on which I most largely insist, are, the glories of the Redeemer, and the happiness
of a life of communion with God.

I can often find something to say on these subjects in the pulpit; but, at some 
other times, my thoughts of Jesus are so low, disjointed, and interrupted, that 
it seems as if I knew nothing of Him but by the hearing of the ear.

And answerable to this, is the sensible communion I have with Him. Alas! how faint,
how infrequent! I approach the throne of grace, encumbered with a thousand distractions
of thought, each of which seems to engage more of my attention than the business
I have in hand.

To complete the riddle, I would add, that, notwithstanding all these complaints,
which seem great enough to forbid my hope, to plunge me in despair, I have peace
at bottom.

I see, I know, I cannot deny, that he is all-sufficient; can, and does pity and 
help me, unworthy as I am; and though I seldom enjoy a glimpse of sunshine, yet 
I am not wholly in the dark.

My heart is vile, and even my prayers are sin; I wish I could mourn more, but the
Lord forbid I should sorrow as those that have no hope. He is able to save to the
uttermost.

His blood speaks louder than all my evils. My soul is very sick, but my Physician
is infallible. He never turns out any as incurable, of whom he has once taken the
charge.

That would be equally to the dishonour of His skill and His compassion. Had he been
willing I should perish, He would not have wrought a miracle (for I account it no
less) to save me from sinking into the great deep, when He first put it in my heart
to cry to Him for mercy.

And, oh, what astonishing goodness has followed me from that day to this! Help me
to praise Him; and may He help you to proclaim the glory of His salvation, and to
rejoice in it yourself.”

–John Newton, **[_The Works of John Newton_](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-works-of-john-newton-4-vols.html),
[_Volume 6_](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-works-of-john-newton-4-vols.html)**(
Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1820/1988), 6: 179-180.

[⌊The Works of John Newton⌉⌊The Works of John Newton⌉[

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