The John Newton Project : 1776 July 20

1776 July 20

This is the first letter which Newton wrote to Sarah Gardiner and can be read from the original manuscript held by the Museum of the Bible at this link.
Courtesy Museum of the Bible, The Signatry Collection. All rights reserved. © Museum of the Bible, 2026.

Madam,

It would be both unkind and ungrateful in me, to avail myself of any plea of business, for delaying the acknowledgement I owe you for your acceptable favour from Yardley, which, though dated the 6^th instant, I did not receive till the 10^th. [1]

Could I have known in time that you were at Mr Gardiner’s, who thought and felt as your letter expresses, I should have endeavoured to call on you, while there. And very glad should I have been to have seen you at Olney. But they who fear the Lord may be sure, that whatever is not practicable, is not necessary. He could have overruled every difficulty in your way, had he seen it expedient. But he is pleased to show you that you depend not upon men, but upon himself, and that notwithstanding your connections may exclude you from some advantages in point of outward means, he who has begun a good work in you, is able to carry it on, [2] in defiance of all seeming hindrances, and make all things, even those which have the most unfavourable appearances, work together for your good. [3]

A sure effect of his grace, is a desire and longing for Gospel ordinances, and when they are afforded they cannot be neglected without loss. But the Lord sees many souls who are dear to him, and whom he is training up in a growing meetness for his kingdom, who are by his providence so situated that it is not in their power to attend upon Gospel preaching, and perhaps they have seldom either Christian Minister or Christian friend to assist or comfort them. Such a situation is a state of trial, but Jesus is All-sufficient and he is always near. They cannot be debarred from his word of Grace which is everywhere at hand, nor from his throne of Grace, for they who feel they need of him, and whose hearts are drawn towards him, are always at the foot of it. [4] Every room in the house, yea every spot they stand on – fields, lanes and hedgerows – all is Holy ground to them, for the Lord is there. The chief difference between us and the disciples when our Saviour was upon earth is in this, they then walked by Light, and we are called to walk by Faith. They could see him with their bodily eyes, we cannot; but he said before he left them, It is expedient for you that I go away. [5] How could this be, unless that spiritual communion which he promised to maintain with his people after his ascension, were preferable to that intercourse he allowed them while he was visibly with them? But we are sure it is preferable, and they who had tried both, were well satisfied he had made good his promise, so that though they had once known him after the flesh, they were content not to know him so any more. Yes Madam, though we cannot see him, he sees us, he is nearer to us than we are to ourselves. In a natural state we have very dark and indeed dishonourable thoughts of God. We conceive of him as at a distance. But when the heart is awakened, we begin to make Jacob’s reflection, Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not. [6] And when we receive faith, we begin to know that this ever-present God is in Christ, that the government of heaven and earth, the dispensation of the kingdoms of nature, providence and grace, is in the hands of Jesus. That it is he with whom we have to do, who once suffered agony and death for our redemption, and whose compassion and tenderness are the same now he reigns over all Blessed for ever, as when he conversed amongst men in the days of his humiliation. Thus God is made known to us by the Gospel in the endearing views of a Saviour, a Shepherd, a Husband and a Friend, and a way of access is open for us through the veil that is the human nature of our Redeemer, to enter with humble confidence into the Holiest of All, and to repose all our care and concerns upon the strength of that everlasting arm which upholds heaven and earth, and upon that infinite love which submitted to the shame, pain and death of the cross, to redeem sinners from wrath and misery.

That there is a height, a breadth, a length and a depth in this mystery of Redeeming Love, exceeding the comprehension of all finite minds, yet the great and leading principles which are necessary for the support and comfort of our soul may be summed up in a very few words. Such a summary we are favoured with in Titus Letter 3:10-14, [7] where the whole of salvation, all that is needful to be known, experienced, practised or hoped for is comprised within the compass of four verses. If many books, much study, and great discernment were necessary in order to be happy, what must the poor and simple people to[do], yet for them especially is the Gospel designed, and few but such as these attain the knowledge and comfort of it. The Bible is a sealed book till the heart be awakened, and then he that runs may read. [8] The propositions are few – I am a sinner, therefore I need a Saviour, One who is Able and Willing to save to the uttermost. [9] Such a one is Jesus – he is and he has all that I want: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. But will he receive me? Can I answer a previous question, Am I willing to receive him? If so, and if his word may be taken, if he meant what he said, and promised no more than he can perform, I may be sure of a welcome. He knew long before the doubts, fears and suspicions which would arise in my mind, when I should come to know what I am, what I have done and what I have deserved, and therefore he declared before he left the earth, Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. [10] I have no money or price in my hand, no worthiness to recommend me, and I need none, for he saveth Freely and for his own name’s sake. I have only to be thankful for what he has already shown me, and to wait upon him for more. It is my part to commit myself to him as the Physician of sin-sick souls, [11] not to prescribe to him how he shall treat me; to begin, carry on and [perfect] the cure is his part.

The doubts and fears you speak of, are [ ] or less degree, the common experience of the Lord’s people, at least for a time. While [ ] [un]belief remains in the heart, and Satan is permitted to tempt, we shall feel these things. In themselves they are groundless and evil, yet the Lord permits and overrules them for good. They tend to make us know more of the plague of our own hearts, and feel more sensibly the need of a Saviour, and make his rest (when we attain it) doubly sweet and sure. And they likewise qualify us for pitying and comforting others. Fear not, only believe, wait and pray. Expect not all at once. A Christian is not a hasty growth like a mushroom, but rather like the oak the progress of which is hardly perceptible but in time becomes a great deep-rooted tree.

If my writings have been useful to you, may the Lord have the praise. To administer any comfort to his children, is the greatest honour and pleasure I can receive in this life. As I know not if there be more Mrs Gardiners than one in your neighbourhood, I direct according to your subscription. If it be necessary you will please to give me your address when you next favour me with a letter. I cannot promise to be a very punctual correspondent having many engagements, but I hope to do all in my power to show myself,

Madam, Your affectionate and obliged servant
John Newton

Olney ye 20 June 76

[First letter]
Mrs S Gardiner
Leasingham
near Sleaford
Lincolnshire

Endnotes:

[1]	Sarah Gardiner's brother-in-law James Gardiner (1738-1799), was the Rector of Yardley Hastings, 4 miles NNW of Olney.
[2]	Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
[3]	Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
[4]	See Newton’s hymn on Jacob’s ladder in Olney Hymns, 1779, Book 1, Hymn 9.[Princeton]
[5]	John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
[6]	Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
[7]	Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
[8]	Habakkuk 2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
[9]	Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
[10]	John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
[11]	See Newton’s hymn, Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 83, *Physician of my sin-sick soul*.

14/05/2026