1784 May 15 My dear Madam,   I sent you an Apologia by Mr Brodbelt, which I suppose you have received, and I flatter myself you will accept it favourably. The subject in one view appears to me of no very great importance, but the stress Dissenters often lay upon little things, frequently proves very troublesome to serious people; and therefore it may be of some importance to show that they are but little things at the best, and far from being supported by that scriptural authority, upon the plea of which the Dissenters so strenuously enforce them.   I hope you will not be discouraged in your endeavours to do good, by the disappointments you sometimes meet with. When you recommended Molly to Mrs Newton you returned kindness for ill-treatment, this was certainly right; and you hoped well of her, and therefore you have no reason to blame yourself. You judged by probable appearances, but you did not profess to know hearts or future events. I clearly understood your letter, and did not suppose that you sent Mrs Hamstrong [1]  to me for money. But she had an air of impunity and a plea of distress which prevailed with me especially as she brought me a letter from you. I only paid her for that service, and I would be willing to pay as much now and then, for the pleasure of hearing from you, if they were no cheaper mode of conveyance. A benevolent and compassionate person will sometimes take pains to serve those, who afterwards abuse their kindness; a candid and unsuspicious temper may be imposed upon. But an over-cautiousness, to favour none but those who are really deserving, would be a worse extreme, would preclude us from many opportunities of usefulness, and perhaps in time might blunt our sensibility and waken the habitual desire of doing good, which is or should be one characteristic of a Christian. I suppose Farmers or Gardiners do not expect that every seed they sow or plant will spring up and be fruitful, it is sufficient if they get a tolerable crop upon the whole from a part of the seed sown, though a part should miscarry. Thus we may meet with ill returns for some acts of kindness, but others will succeed and give us pleasure. And indeed true Christians can in no case be disappointed, because what they do, they do for the Lord, and a cup of cold water given for his sake will not be forgotten by him. We are the servants of him who is kind to the unthankful and to the evil, and though our scanty ability requires us to use some prudence and discrimination, yet a disposition to follow his pattern, and to consider distress, more than desert, is what we shall not finally repent of. It is a temper well becoming a sinner who has had much forgiven, and who must live upon much forgiveness all his days. Many persons who have not grace, are kind and generous to those who make them proper returns. But the lively, humble Christian has a rule, a warrant and a principle, which makes him hope the best, and upon occasion willing to hazard something upon even a probability of doing good.   It is plain from the account you give of Mr Bury that you have already tried to win him to serious thoughts of his state and of religion, and that you are only now restrained by repeated proofs that he will not bear advice upon those heads, and an apprehension that speaking to him will only make him worse. Now if this be the case, I really think you are not bound to speak to him at all till he gives an opening himself. Your example speaks to him, your looks speak to him, you pray for him – and if it be the Lord’s pleasure to make you an instrument of good to him, he who has power over all hearts will touch his, and you will find an opportunity to your wish, you will likewise find the Lord affording you liberty, and as it were putting words into your mouth. Till then perhaps there may be something more expressive in your silence, than in anything you can say. We are instructed, Matthew 7:6, [2] that it is not our duty to speak always and in all circumstances. Watch for the moment Madam with desire, if the Lord may please to make him willing to hear, but do not let the enemy burden your conscience and condemn you, when the word of God does not condemn you.   What concern can you possibly have with the characters of the fearful and unbelieving, Revelation 21:8, [3] any more than with the other characters which follow in the same verse? The unbelieving there are doubtless those who reject the Gospel, and the fearful those who renounce it, in order to escape or avoid the Cross which attends profession? All the characters there mentioned are of one group and of one family. Permit me gently to blame you for listening to those suggestions which lead your thoughts to passages of Scripture which have no more reference to you than to the saints in glory. Fight the good [fight] of faith Madam, [4] resist the devil and he shall flee from you. [5] If the fearful and unbelieving in the sense you must put upon the words in order to make them applicable to yourself, shall have their part in the lake, then not one of the race of fallen Adam will be saved. For where was there ever a servant of God without some groundless fears, or whose faith was not mixed with the workings of unbelief? If a word or sentence discourages you consult the whole passage; and farther compare Scripture with Scripture, what is written in one place, with what is written again as Matthew 4:7. [6] It is written, Happy is the man that feareth always, [7] and our Lord said once to his disciples, How is it that you have no faith? [8] Were they then in danger of the burning lake? They had faith, but it was weak. It is the same with us. I will not say you ought not to have a doubt, but certainly after what the Lord has shown you and done for you, you ought not to give way to doubts. Indeed you have been highly favoured, and therefore the enemy who grudges your privileges, fights so continually against your peace. But he shall not prevail.   I have nothing to add to the account of our family in my last, only that through the Lord’s goodness, I am in perfect health. We repeat our sincere expressions of respect and love to you and Mr Gardiner. I remain Dear Madam, Your affectionate and obliged servant John Newton   Hoxton 15 May 84 [to] Mrs Gardiner near Sleaford Lincolnshire   Endnotes:    [1] This was either intended to be ‘Armstrong’ – Molly’s mother – or ‘Harmston’, the wife of William Harmston, a member of the Independent chapel in Hen Lane. It is more probably the former. [2] Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [3] Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [4] 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. [5] James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [6] Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [7] Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. [8] Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Acknowledgements: Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.23

26/05/2026