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MATTHEW Chapter 26:73 Peter sinning and repenting When Peter boasted, soon he fell, Yet was by grace restored; His case should be regarded well By all who fear the Lord. A voice it has, and helping hand, Backsliders to recall; And cautions those who think they stand, Lest suddenly they fall. He said, “Whatever others do, With Jesus I’ll abide;” Yet soon amidst a murderous crew His suffering Lord denied. He who had been so bold before, Now trembled like a leaf; Not only lied, but cursed and swore, To gain the more belief. While he blasphemed, he heard the cock, And Jesus looked in love; At once, as if by lightning struck, His tongue forbore to move. Delivered thus from Satan’s snare, He starts, as from a sleep; His Saviour’s look he could not bear, But hasted forth to weep. But sure the faithful cock had crowed A hundred times in vain, Had not the Lord that look bestowed, The meaning to explain. As I, like Peter, vows have made, Yet acted Peter’s part; So conscience, like the cock, upbraids My base, ungrateful heart. Lord Jesus, hear a sinner’s cry, My broken peace renew; And grant one pitying look, that I May weep with Peter too.

from John Newton's Diary, relevant to this hymn: Saturday 15 October 1774 This evening a wagon laden with flour was attacked and in great danger of being plundered by a mob assembled for that purpose at about the Bull [Inn] – but it was happily prevented. I had the mortification to hear that there were some professors among them, and profession itself reviled upon their account. Sunday 16 October 1774 In the afternoon I took occasion to speak of the late riotous proceedings, but though I bore (I hope) a plain and faithful testimony against them, I was something embarrassed and confused by the subject. If the Lord is pleased to make what I said a means of preventing the like mischievous and reproachful attempts for the future I shall be thankful. [sermon text:] 1 Thessalonians 4:11 [And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you] Tuesday 18 October 1774 Most of the forenoon yesterday and today, employed in making a copy of verses for Miss Mary Barham's birthday. My little poetical talent is but very slow. In the evening at the Great House finished Colossians 1 [vv 28-29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.] Wednesday 19 October 1774 Dined with Mrs Green – and in the evening supplied Mr Jones's place at his meeting. There were about 40 people. I spoke from the four lepers, 2 Kings 7. Sunday 30 October 1774 A young woman MS who has been mercifully recovered from the awful delusions which have prevailed among many of Mr Rand’s hearers, was here today, and a little talk with her, suggested the subject of my forenoon’s discourse. Psalm 124:7 [Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.] A hymn in the evening [No. 181] led me to speak of Peter’s fall. Psalm 124:7 Isaiah 53:1 Hymn No. 181 [also written as 3 Vol 2] [On this date Newton preached from the above texts at his church, St Peter & St Paul, Olney, during the morning and afternoon services, and from this hymn at the informal evening service]

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Hymn: MS Eng 1317, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Diary: John Newton Collection, CO199, Princeton University