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Interview on Newton
at Real Lives
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BBC Radio 4 Extra Daily Service
Broadcast on Monday 04.11.2024
Pam Rhodes reflects on the life and work of Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith
Link to replay |
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SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING |
27 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 2PM, ST ANDREW THE GREAT, CAMBRIDGE |
WATCH ON LIVESTREAM...
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Timothy Dudley Smith 1926-2024
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Faithful vigil ended,
watching, waiting cease;
Master, grant your servant
his discharge in peace.
All the Spirit promised,
all the Father willed,
now these eyes behold it
perfectly fulfilled. |
This your great deliverance
sets your people free;
Christ their light uplifted
all the nations see.
Christ, your people's glory!
Watching, doubting cease:
grant to us your servants
our discharge in peace.
© Copyright Timothy Dudley Smith
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From Luke 2:25-35
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him…
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
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Soul Music
Amazing Grace
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Mike Swales (1944-2024)
We are sad to lose our faithful chairman Mike Swales who has gone Home to be with the Lord
after a lengthy period of illness.
His gain is our loss,
as so movingly expressed in Newton’s hymn:
While they have gained we losers are,
We miss them day by day,
But thou canst every breach remove
And wipe our tears away.
Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 72
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Mike became a trustee 13 years ago after hearing another trustee speak of Newton’s ministry. He has served the JNP as our chairman for the past 10 years, gently contributing prayerful and practical support.
A retired pastor, he and his wife Maureen travelled to many of our JNP meetings offering backup, and provided hospitality to us in their home |
Newton writing in his old age to Thomas and Sophia Ring:
May he be my gain, living or dying, and may he at last receive me himself, an unprofitable servant, who neither has, nor expects, nor desires to have, any other plea, than that of the thief upon the cross. |
Tonight I attended an Eclipse of the Moon
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On the eclipse of the moon
July 30 1776 |
I thought my Lord of thine Eclipse -
the horrible darkness which overwhelmed thy mind, when Thou saidst -
Why hast Thou forsaken me?
see the full hymn in Newton's handwriting |
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John Newton to John Thornton, a Governor of the Bank of England
I observed the Eclipse of the Moon on Tuesday night, till it was wholly covered by the shade, and endeavoured to draw some meditations from it, which gave rise to a hymn that was the subject of my discourse last night at the Great House - our Saviour’s passion, the motions of the heavenly bodies being a pledge of His faithfulness to His promises (Jeremiah 33:20,21,25) and the dark seasons to which believers in the present life are liable, were the principal points. I take the liberty to send you a copy of the hymn on the other side, for no other reasons than that the subject is not common, and that you have been pleased often favourably to accept what I have sent of this sort.
4 August 1776
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The moon in silver glory shone,
And not a cloud in sight;
When suddenly a shade begun
To intercept her light.
How fast across her orb it spread,
How fast her light withdrew!
A circle, ting'd with languid red,
Was all appear'd in view.
While many with unmeaning eye
Gaze on thy works in vain;
Assist me, LORD, that I may try
Instruction to obtain.
Fain would my thankful heart and lips
Unite in praise to thee;
And meditate on thy eclipse,
In sad Gethsemane. |
Thy people's guilt, a heavy load!
(When standing in their room)
Depriv'd thee of the light of GOD,
And fill'd thy soul with gloom.
How punctually eclipses move,
Obedient to thy will!
Thus shall thy faithfulness and love,
Thy promises fulfill.
Dark, like the moon without the sun,
I mourn thine absence, LORD!
For light or comfort have I none,
But what thy beams afford.
But lo! the hour draws near apace,
When changes shall be o'er;
Then shall I see thee face to face,
And be eclips'd no more. |
"Yes there is a better world, where our sun shall no more go down, neither the moon withdraw its shining – or rather, both moon and sun shall be needless, for the Lord Himself shall be the Everlasting Unclouded Light of His people. Oh how different is the land we are going to, from this wilderness through which we are now passing."
I remain
Dearest Sir
Your most obedt and obliged
Servant
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Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 85 |
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Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God!
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Newton's hymn written for
Easter Day 1775
based on:
Isaiah 33:20,21;
Psalm 87:3; Psalm 132:14;
Matthew 16:16; Isaiah 26:1;
Psalm 46:4; Isaiah 4:5,6;
Revelation 1:6
Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 60
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The City of God
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion , city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
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See! the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a covering,
Showing that the Lord is near:
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night, and shade by day;
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which he gives them when they pray. |
To view the whole hymn
in Newton's hand
see here (and next page)
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Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer's blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God:
'Tis his love his people raises
Over self to reign as kings,
And as priests, his solemn praises
Each for a thank-offering brings.
Saviour, if of Zion's city
I through grace a member am;
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name:
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure,
None but Zion's children know. |
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click here to view diary entries for when this hymn was written |
Tony Baker
(1938-2023) |
We are very sad to announce the death of one of our founder trustees, Tony Baker. Tony's encouragement to publish and circulate previously unpublished material by John Newton led to the formation of the JNP. His advice and prayerful encouragement has been invaluable to us and to me personally over many years.
Well done thou good and faithful servant...
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Matthew 25:21
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For Tony himself, to be Home with Christ is 'far better'
(Philippians 1:23) |
But the happiest year they know
Is their last, which leads them home.
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JNP Trustees'
Meeting
January 2023
L to R:
Back row
Ben Virgo, Ed Veale, Martin Hines, Marylynn Rouse
Front row
Mike Swales, Tony Baker
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But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13,14
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Tony's favourite Newton hymn, based on Proverbs 18:24
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother |
One there is, above all others,
Well deserves the name of friend;
His is love beyond a brother's,
Costly, free, and knows no end:
They who once his kindness prove,
Find it everlasting love!
Which of all our friends to save us,
Could or would have shed their blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled, in him to God:
This was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a friend in need. |
Men, when raised to lofty stations,
Often know their friends no more;
Slight and scorn their poor relations
Though they valued them before.
But our Saviour always owns
Those whom he redeemed with groans.
When he lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was his name;
Now, above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same:
Still he calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends. |
Could we bear from one another,
What he daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother,
Loves us though we treat him thus:
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
We, alas! forget too often,
What a Friend we have above:
But when home our souls are brought,
We will love thee as we ought.
Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 53
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former JNP Chairman,
John Langlois OBE,
interviews trustee
Tony Baker
about
Ministry on my mind
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Tony's last sermon, preached at Holy Trinity Eastbourne on the 60th anniversary of his ordination, was from Matthew 24:3-14
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. |
Listen here
text here |
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keep enduring |
keep anticipating |
keep rejoicing |
video here |
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Matthew 24:3-14 (ESV)
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
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A new publication from The John Newton Project !
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A new publication from The John Newton Project !
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Rhys Bezzant
Here we meet no detached preacher elevated above his congregation … His glorious ministry of mentoring is in evidence here once again. |
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Brian Edwards
More than any biography of Newton, these diaries reveal the inner struggles of the great pastor and preacher of the gospel. |
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2023
4th edition !
365 days
with Newton
available from
Day One
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...consistently biblical (to share the Word of God), spiritual (to promote walking with God),
simple (to make biblical truth and principles plain), and practical (to inculcate personal
holiness and sound relationships in church and society).
Alec Motyer
...no reader who will approach the book with a receptive heart
will not be drawn closer to God by the warmth of John Newton’s practical
Christian counsel and pastoral exposition
Timothy Dudley-Smith
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'The Most Reverend the Primate and Patriarch of the Southern Hemisphere' |
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1 January 2023
250 years since Amazing Grace sermon & hymn on 1 January 1773
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reproduced with the kind permission of The Times pdf or The Times
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New Year's Morning 1773
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I preached this forenoon from 1 Chronicles 17:16,17 |
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God, for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come,
and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
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The hymn Amazing Grace
is an exposition and application
of 1 Chronicles 17.
a few examples...
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1 Chronicles 17 |
Amazing Grace hymn |
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v8 |
'I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you' |
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come. |
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v10 |
'And I will subdue all your enemies.' |
He will my shield and portion be |
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v26 |
...you have promised this good thing to your servant |
The Lord has promised good to me |
More examples to download here. Related links here and here and here. |
(compiled for 240th anniversary) |
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Click on the video for a summary of how the hymn matches the Bible passage. |
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. |
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures. |
Amazing Grace
as written by
John Newton
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'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed! |
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace. |
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Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home. |
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine. |
Faith's review
and expectation
1 Chronicles 17:16,17
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(hymn & explanation) |
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Christmas morning 1767
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And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father),
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
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Have you seen this glory?
Nothing else is worth a thought!
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see Newton's Christmas Day sermon on this text |
Christmas evening 1767
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And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people;
to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:10
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The rest which he affords his people
is a glorious rest.
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see Newton's Christmas Day sermon on this text |
Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Matthew 25:21
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On the death of a believer
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In vain my fancy strives to paint
The moment after death;
The glories that surround the saint,
When yielding up its breath. |
On harps of gold they praise his name,
His face they always view;
Then let us followers be of them,
That we may praise him too. |
One gentle sigh their fetters breaks,
We scarce can say, ‘They’re gone!’
Before the willing spirit takes
Her mansion near the throne. |
Their faith and patience, love and zeal,
Should make their memory dear;
And, Lord, do thou the prayers fulfil,
They offered for us here! |
Faith strives, but all its efforts fail,
To trace her in her flight;
No eye can pierce within the veil
Which hides that world of light. |
While they have gained, we losers are,
We miss them day by day;
But thou canst every breach repair,
And wipe our tears away. |
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Thus much (and this is all) we know,
They are completely blest;
Have done with sin, and care, and woe,
And with their Saviour rest. |
We pray, as in Elisha’s case,
When great Elijah went,
May double portions of thy grace,
To us who stay, be sent. |
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John Newton
Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 72 |
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from John Newton's sermon on Amazing Grace |
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'O that crown, that kingdom, that eternal weight of glory!
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We are travelling home to God.
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We shall soon see Jesus...'
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Amazing Grace: A5 flyer with background info
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Download a pdf of the flyer from here |
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Download more detailed background to the source of the words here |
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The Service of Thanksgiving
to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen
concludes with John Newton’s hymn
Glorious things of thee are spoken
Zion, city of our God
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Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes. |
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See! the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the Giver,
Never fails from age to age. |
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see the full hymn here |
Jesus my all
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Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the tempter's power?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my tower.
Though hot the fight; why quit the field?
Why must I either flee or yield,
Since Jesus is my mighty shield?
When creature comforts fade and die,
Worldlings may weep; but why should I?
Jesus still lives, and still is nigh.
Though all the flocks and herds were dead,
My soul a famine need not dread,
For Jesus is my living bread. |
I know not what may soon betide,
Or how my wants shall be supplied;
But Jesus knows, and will provide.
Though sin would fill me with distress,
The throne of grace I dare address;
For Jesus is my righteousness.
Though faint my prayers, and cold my love,
My steadfast hope shall not remove,
While Jesus intercedes above.
Against me earth and hell combine;
But on my side is power divine;
Jesus is all, and He is mine. |
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John Newton
Olney Hymns, Book 3, Hymn 46
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The words for Amazing Grace come from 1 Chronicles 17
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1 Chronicles 17 |
Amazing Grace hymn |
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v7 |
Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep... |
Amazing grace…
that saved a wretch like me. |
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v8 |
and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you |
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come. |
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v9 |
And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more... |
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace. |
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v10 |
And I will subdue all your enemies |
He will my shield and portion be |
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v16 |
Who am I, O Lord God...? |
That saved a wretch like me! |
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v16 |
...that you have brought me thus far? |
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far |
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v17 |
You have also spoken ... for a great while to come |
As long as life endures |
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v23 |
And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant ... be established forever, and do as you have spoken |
His word my hope secures |
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v26 |
...you have promised this good thing to your servant |
The Lord has promised good to me |
verses
12, 14, 22, 23, 24, 27 |
(the words occurs eight times!)
... for ever
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Will be forever mine |
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'the
prime
pastoral
call'
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'There is richness in reading his daily personal analysis, and a challenge to apply the medicine of God's word to our own life and walk.
And, for me, reading his diary provides a day by day reminder of the prime pastoral call.' |
'the heart
of
pastoral
ministry'
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'Above all, one discovers the heart of pastoral ministry –
continual self-examination of having a soft, responsive heart to indwelling personal sin; continual prayers for the people of his congregation; and an ecumenical spirit of encouragement toward pastors of surrounding churches.' |
Newton's prayer
for New Year's Eve 1766:
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‘I want more liberty at a throne of grace, more knowledge of the Scripture,
more zeal for God, more love to souls.
I want larger measures of humility, thankfulness, spirituality and faith.
I want wisdom, courage, patience, tenderness in my work,
and I want to see my poor labours
attended with a more abundant and extensive blessing.
I want a single eye and a simple heart,
to follow, trust and obey the Lord, like a little child.’ |
‘In the evening preached the Anniversary sermon to the young people from Numbers 10:29'
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law,
We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you:
come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. |
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Numbers 10:29
For New Year’s Evening
1766
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'Come thou with us'
and read Newton's sermon here. |
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How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
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View a background to the hymn on Hymn of the Day July 2021 at the Hymn Society of Great Britain & Ireland here. |
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View the full sermon John Newton preached on Sunday morning 3 March 1765, which this hymn expounds, here. |
Hot off the Press !
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Johnny Juckes
Oak Hill January 2021 |
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Simon Manchester
Formerly Minister St Thomas North Sydney |
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'It is a privilege of the highest order to read Newton’s account of 1765, with such superb footnotes. There is so much spiritual treasure here, so much to learn from a senior saint sharing his heart, his awareness of his sin, recording his pattern of life and ministry, his preaching and writing, his children’s ministry, his travelling, his horizons, his extensive correspondence and his friendships with fellow ministers, as well as his sorrows and suffering as small pox and early death took many of his friends and his flock, and through it all his daily delight in the grace of God.' |
'Here is John Newton, in his fortieth year of life and his second year in ministry, setting out the struggles in his heart and the mercies of God - with rare ability. Who else thinks to liken himself to Gideon's dry fleece, admits that little things often send his imagination wild or recognises that preaching cures him of many of his own complaints? He groans "under the weight of indwelling sin" and "rejoices to know that Jesus is my righteousness". He recognises his "faint...affections" and yet is "favoured with liberty" in his ministry. How much we can identify with this and be thankful it's put so well. Can I suggest that an hour with this 1765 diary will vastly outweigh any hour with your television ? Can I thank Marylynn Rouse profoundly for setting out the text, the pictures and the wonderful footnotes? And can we thank the Lord enough for His grace to us and through us - as Newton puts it so freshly and honestly?' |
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You can also purchase Newton's diary for 1764 from our shop here. |
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coming on
1 January 2021
on its 248th anniversary
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Resources for Amazing Grace are also available here. |
John Newton's Christmas Day sermons 1765
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Christmas Morning |
Christmas Evening |
Isaiah 45:8
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. |
1 John 4:9,10
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. |
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the sum of his message is:
Say unto Zion: Thy God cometh |
astonishing—
God spared not his own Son but sent him into the world—
in the form of a servant |
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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
'We live in the midst of wonders. Everything which our eyes can view in earth or sea or sky – from the grass in the field to the glorious sun in the firmament – proclaim to an attentive observer a wonder-working God.
'But there is a wonder beyond all that appears in the visible creation or in common providence – to this my text at present directs our meditations – the wonderful Love of God – God so loved so beyond expression, so beyond description, that he gave his Son... etc.
'May this amazing instance of the love of God, be so impressed upon our hearts by his Holy Spirit,
as to enkindle in us a flame of love to him who has thus loved us.'
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New Sermon Series
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a series of 13 sermons
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We join with many in paying tribute to and giving thanks for the enormously influential life of Dr JI Packer who went home to be with the Lord on 17 July 2020, aged 93.
You can read many tributes at acl.asn.au. |
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Dr JI Packer |
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Packer's commendation as a Member of the Board of Reference of the JNP:
'Whitefield was flamboyant, Wesley was masterful, Newton was unobtrusive. Yet Newton was indubitably one of the three greatest eighteenth-century evangelical leaders. As a warm-hearted pastoral counsellor, in groups and by letter, he had no peer; as a producer of plain hymns for plain people he was one of the greatest; and the wisdom of his preaching, for all its old-fashioned fulsomeness, is stellar and searching. The commitment of The John Newton Project to giving us his Complete Works is cause for joy.' |
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I knew nothing about the fear of God... till I began to know a little of Christ |
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John Newton took his first steps ashore as a believer on 8 April 1748.
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sermon on on the Song of Solomon 1:3 on website here |
or in extract from 365 days with Newton here: |
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John Newton's
Diary:
1764
First publication
for over 250 years !!
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Sunday 26 February 1764
This afternoon I received a letter from Mr Haweis, informing me that in consequence of my last
he had prevailed on
Lord Dartmouth to give me the presentation of
Olney in Buckinghamshire.
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Christmas Day at Olney 2019
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'O lead me and guide me for thy Name sake.
Hitherto thou hast helped, accept my praise for the past, prepare me for the future,
and be my Lord,
my Shepherd,
my Counsellor,
my Comforter.'
1 January 1780
John Newton's Diary
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John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father),
full of grace and truth. |
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Have you seen this glory?
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Nothing else is worth a thought!
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New Hymns:
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"The Hymns are distributed into three Books...
The third Book is miscellaneous, comprising a variety of subjects relative to a life of faith in the Son of God, which have no express reference either to a single text of Scripture, or to any determinate season or incident. These are farther subdivided into distinct heads." |
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Met the children. The 32nd chapter of Genesis came in course [v24: And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day], and I expounded more largely than usual for the sake of my guests.
We had I think a pleasant time at the Great House. |
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I spoke a Hymn No. 5 Vol. 2, On Faith's arguments against fear and complaint. |
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,,, the Lord, the great, the effectual, the only effectual teacher, made [Bunyan],
in an eminent degree, an able and successful minister of the New Testament.
It is probable that only the people to whom he personally preached
would have been benefited by his zeal and experience,
had not the Lord permitted the rage of his enemies to prevail against him
for a season.
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Diary: Tuesday 1 December 1772
At the Great house began the Pilgrims Progress again, which I formerly went through in about two and a half years… |
Diary: Saturday 29 July 1775
At Mr Thornton’s request drew up a short preface for his New Edition of the first part of the Pilgrim’s Progress with notes chiefly by Mr King. |
Monday 21 January 2019 from 04:40 to 05:43 GMT
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Last chance to see a total lunar eclipse until 2029 !!
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'Tonight I attended an eclipse of the moon.'
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'I thought, my Lord, of Thine eclipse.
The horrible darkness which overwhelmed Thy mind
when Thou saidst, ’Why hast Thou forsaken Me?’
Ah, sin was the cause – my sin.' |
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I endeavoured to draw some meditations from it, which gave rise to a hymn: |
The moon in silver glory shone,
And not a cloud in sight;
When suddenly a shade begun
To intercept her light. |
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How fast across her orb it spread,
How fast her light withdrew!
A circle, tinged with languid red,
Was all appeared in view. |
While many with unmeaning eye
Gaze on thy works in vain;
Assist me, Lord, that I may try
Instruction to obtain.
Fain would my thankful heart and lips
Unite in praise to thee;
And meditate on thy eclipse,
In sad Gethsemane. |
Thy people's guilt, a heavy load!
(When standing in their room)
Deprived thee of the light of God,
And filled thy soul with gloom.
How punctually eclipses move,
Obedient to thy will!
Thus shall thy faithfulness and love,
Thy promises fulfill |
Dark, like the moon without the sun,
I mourn thine absence, Lord!
For light or comfort have I none,
But what thy beams afford.
But lo! the hour draws near apace,
When changes shall be o'er;
Then shall I see thee face to face,
And be eclipsed no more. |
'Yes, there is a better world, where our sun shall no more go down,
neither the moon withdraw its shining – Or rather both moon and sun shall be needless,
for the Lord himself shall be the Everlasting Unclouded light of his people.'
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'He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36).
To put our whole trust in him, to seek all our help from him,
to aim entirely at his glory,
and to yield him unfeigned and universal obedience –
This is indeed to believe in him.'
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John Newton's Lectures
on the Apostle's Creed
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'The substance of this Creed is the peculiar property of a Christian – it expresses not the things in which they differ, but in which they all agree.'
'It is not the repeating this Creed by rote like a parrot that will prove any to be a Christian unless there is likewise the true knowledge and experience in the heart.'
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'If you believe in him, you trust not in yourselves, you love not your sins, you are breathing after holiness,
you walk in some measure as he walked.
The Lord make us all partakers of this precious faith.' |
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click here to view these Lectures |
the great design of his coming into the world...
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Christmas Evening 1769
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For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
We have here an occasion which has been often made successful – curiosity.
Zacchaeus did not press through the multitude to Jesus; he only wanted to see him from the top of a tree as he passed by.
But behold Jesus, whom he thought a stranger, looked up and called him by his name –
divine power accompanied the word,
grace reached his heart,
and that day salvation came to his house.
O that it may be so with some present.
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Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God!
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Newton's hymn written for
Easter Day 1775
based on:
Isaiah 33:20,21;
Psalm 87:3; Psalm 132:14;
Matthew 16:16; Isaiah 26:1;
Psalm 46:4; Isaiah 4:5,6;
Revelation 1:6
Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 60
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The City of God
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion , city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
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See! the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a covering,
Showing that the Lord is near:
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night, and shade by day;
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which he gives them when they pray. |
To view the whole hymn
in Newton's hand
see here (and next page)
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Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer's blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God:
'Tis his love his people raises
Over self to reign as kings,
And as priests, his solemn praises
Each for a thank-offering brings.
Saviour, if of Zion's city
I through grace a member am;
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name:
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure,
None but Zion's children know. |
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click here to view diary entries for when this hymn was written |
Jonathan Aitken, on our Board of Reference, was recently ordained to be a prison chaplain.
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In the video below Jonathan discusses John Newton's own thoughts
on contemplating ordination. |
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John Newton's 'Miscellaneous thoughts' on ordination, Ministry on my mind, can be purchased from our shop here
or read online here. |
Amazing Grace sung in its original context !
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John Newton took inspiration for the words for his hymn Amazing Grace directly from 1 Chronicles 17 |
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A crowd like this had just processed through the gates of Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant
King David wanted to build a Temple to house it
The Lord told him He would build David a house instead -
pointing to the Messiah:
Jesus Christ, the son of David
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On 1 January 1773 Newton urged his congregation to imitate David's thankfulness as they reviewed their past year and considered their future expectations: |
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1 Chronicles 17 |
Amazing Grace |
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v7 |
‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep...' |
Amazing grace…
that saved a wretch like me. |
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v8 |
'and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you' |
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come |
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v9 |
'And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more...' |
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace. |
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v10 |
'And I will subdue all your enemies.' |
He will my shield and portion be |
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v16 |
'Who am I, O Lord God...?' |
That saved a wretch like me! |
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v16 |
'...that you have brought me thus far?' |
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far |
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v17 |
'You have also spoken ... for a great while to come' |
As long as life endures |
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v23 |
And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant ... be established forever, and do as you have spoken |
His word my hope secures |
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v26 |
...you have promised this good thing to your servant |
The Lord has promised good to me |
v12
v14
v22
v23
v24
v27 |
(the word occurs eight times!)
"... for ever"
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Will be forever mine.
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Faith's review and expectation: |
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
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The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
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John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779, Book 1, Hymn 41 |
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(sermon, hymn, origin, PowerPoint slides, video)
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Pleasing Spring!
Pleasing spring again is here!
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Where, in winter, all was snow |
Now the flowers in clusters grow |
Lord, afford a spring to me!
Let me feel like what I see; |
What a change has taken place!
Emblem of the spring of grace;
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link to more hymns in Olney Hymns Book 2 |
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Lord assist and work in me by thy Grace
Yesterday heard Mr Romaine |
William Romaine |
Thursday lecturer at St Dunstan's |
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'If ever a sense of the worth of souls is impressed upon my heart
(and I hope it sometimes is),
if ever I find myself willing to spend and be spent for you,
if I can ever adopt with sincerity the Apostle’s words, and say,
Being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you,
not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us [1 Thessalonians 2:7],
it is peculiarly so at the return of this opportunity.' |
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They shall ask the way to Zion
with their faces thitherward, saying,
Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant
that shall not be forgotten. |
They who are sincere will set their faces Zionward.
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read Newton's sermon on Jeremiah 50:5 for New Year's Evening 1774 here |
Happy Christmas !
quotes from Newton's Messiah sermons:
No. 7 Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. |
the Sun arose, the shadows vanished
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read the sermon |
No. 8 Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. |
To those who received him, he was the light, the true light, the Sun.
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he is the Sun that enlightens our darkness
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read the sermon |
No. 12 Isaiah 35:5,6
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing. |
the Sun of Righteousness himself has shined into their heart
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read the sermon |
New Addition !
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John Newton's unpublished diary for February 1755
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direct link here |
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Saturday 1 February |
'I am desirous to accept the Lord Jesus upon his own terms.
I hope I hate sin, as sin, and am desirous to be delivered from it at any rate…' |
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Sunday 2 February |
Catlett Family Bible
22 January 1728/9 Old Style is equivalent to 2 February 1729 New Style
'This being the anniversary of _[my dear Polly’s] birth, I desire to render my hearty thanks to our Gracious Lord for continuing all his mercies to us both thus far, for delivering us in all our fears, separations and sicknesses, and giving us the prospect of another year. O that this goodness may more powerfully constrain us to his service.
Lord accept and inspire for thy mercy’s sake. Draw us and we will run after thee.' |
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Wednesday 5 February |
Samuel Brewer
(1724-1796)
Pastor of Stepney Independent Meeting |
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'Went to see Mr Brewer... stayed two hours with him,
and loathe to part at last.
methinks I am always remarkably lively,
and clear in his company' |
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Thursday 6 February |
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One thing I know, that happen what will, it shall be well with them that fear the Lord. His glorious name is a strong tower in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that put their trust in him. Lord have mercy upon me and _[my dear Polly]; give us a timely knowledge of our saving interest in the Redeemer’s covenant that he may be unto us as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Isaiah 32:2
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Wednesday 12 February |
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I was one that owed not a few pence but 10,000 talents, the chief of sinners, and I had if possible less than others to pay, not seemingly so much as an hour’s time to offer at a composition... and yet it has pleased God to speak peace unto me. Lord not unto me but unto thy name be the Glory and the praise.
Twenty years later Newton wrote a hymn on this same text (Luke 7:42)
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see full Hymn No. 244 |
Ten thousand talents once I owed,
And nothing had to pay;
But Jesus freed me from the load,
And washed my debt away.
Olney Hymns, Book 3, Hymn 67
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The hymn Amazing Grace has inspired and uplifted people all over the world. We hear about its influence on the civil rights movement in America, how it changed the fate of a British soldier in the Arabian desert, and its unexpected appearance in the film Star Trek: the Wrath of Khan.
We also hear the story of John Newton, the man who wrote it. Taken from his first love, he was press ganged into service at sea, shackled to a ship’s deck for 40 hours and contemplated murdering his captain. But he wrote the hymn after his ship was caught in a terrible storm and he, miraculously, survived.
(Photo: Ship sailing in a storm. Credit: Thinkstock)
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previously unpublished
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Question: What is the nature and extent of Christian perfection?
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William Jarvis Abdy (1755-1823)
John Bacon, RA (1740-1799)
Ely Bates (1743-1812)
Richard Cecil (1748-1810)
John Clayton (1754-1843)
Henry Foster (1745-1844)
James Edward Gambier (1759-1839) |
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William Goode (1762-1816)
Mr Lawson (?)
John Newton (1725-1807)
George Pattrick (1746-1800)
John Pearson, FRS (1758-1826)
Thomas Scott (1747-1821)
Basil Woodd (1760-1831) |
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Country Member: Thomas Robinson (1749-1813) |
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Re-united in the rectory of St Andrew by the Wardrobe, Thursday 30 March 2017
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Laus Deo per Jesus Christum
Church Missionary Society
Instituted April 12, 1799
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In this room the committee meetings of the society were held from June 17, 1799
to January 3, 1812: and here on January 3 1804, its first missionaries were appointed
to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. |
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the silver teapot
engraved:
"Bequeathed to the Eclectic Society by John Bacon Esqre, late one of its Members, as a token of his affectionate regard"
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Newton's portrait
by John Russell
(with reflections!)
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Two of the display posters from this event:
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Video interview from |
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New Year's Morning 1778
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Psalm 71:9
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. |
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This is not a helpless cry –
but the prayer of faith
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read the sermon outline |
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Christ is all in all!
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Isaiah 32:2
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest;
as rivers of water in a dry place,
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
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as an hiding place
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'the difficulties are not all over!'
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as rivers of water
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as the shadow of a great rock
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The Origin of the Tune
Most Commonly Used Today
Carl P Daw, Jr
Adjunct Professor of Hymnology
Curator of the Hymnological Collections
Boston University
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Our dear friend
and hugely supportive member of our
Board of Reference
Alec Motyer
went home to be with the Lord
on Friday 26 August 2016
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Alec speaking on Messiah |
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We wholeheartedly agree with Newton in this hymn:
While they have gained, we losers are,
We miss them day by day;
But thou canst every breach repair,
And wipe our tears away.
Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 72
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One of Alec's favourite hymns was How sweet the name of Jesus sounds |
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How sweet the name of JESUS sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul
And to the weary rest.
Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never-failing treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace. |
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain
Altho' with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain
And I am owned a child.
JESUS! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest and King;
My LORD, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art
I'll praise Thee as I ought. |
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'Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;
And may the music of Thy name
Refresh my soul in death.
Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 57
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Read the sermon on the text for this hymns, Song of Solomon 1:3
Thy name is as ointment poured forth. |
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extracts from Revelation 19:11-16 series |
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No. 2 |
No. 9 |
No. 10 |
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And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True
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Here the pride of all human glory is stained and the stain of sin is removed – mercy and truth, righteousness and peace meet together. |
This separates indeed between the joints and marrow, the soul and spirit. |
John Newton's previously unpublished diary for 1755
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transcripts beginning now... |
January 1755
Memorandum: 20th January 1755
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I came to a determination, to begin keeping a regular Diary (as God shall enable me) of the state and daily frame of my soul, and the gracious dealings of God unto me. The advice and experience of others who have left upon record, the benefit they have found by this practice, has long made me desirous to imitate them; but something from within or without has still hindered. Lord accept me, and prevent my resting upon any forms, or finding any satisfaction in them, farther than as they lead to thee. Amen.
As merchants begin their books with an inventory of stock, so would I in a brief manner set down my present state for my future government. [1] I trust that the Lord has caused more of his goodness to pass before me this year than I ever before experienced. I hope particularly he has taken me more off my own bottom, and given me to see more of the necessity and the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ in his office of Saviour of his people – and has made me more willing to depend upon his righteousness only. I trust he has enabled me, to see more clearly the truth and comfort of those peculiar doctrines of the glorious Gospel, which in these days are by many either denied, or explained away. I have been led too of late into better opportunities than I formerly had, particularly in my acquaintance, which I have contracted with several experienced Christians, [2] whose belief and hopes are a confirmation of my own, convincing me that though there is a diversity of operations, it is the same Spirit that worketh in all.
On the other side I labour under weakness, I am wearied with a body of sin and death, often when I would do good evil is present with me; my affections are cold and wavering, my faith weak and interrupted. Thus I find my life to be a continual warfare. [3] But blessed be God for the hopes of final victory over sin and corruption, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom I hope I can in a low degree say, the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. [4]
In temporals I have to praise God for health, sufficiency, peace, content; from his goodness all I have proceeds, and his grace has taught me to say: It is enough – I mean for the present, and I desire to trust him for the future, for he has said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. [5]
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Previous homepage info:
Easter Day, 11 April 1773
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John Newton's Diary
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John Newton's sermon notes |
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Who by [Christ] do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory;
that your faith and hope might be in God.
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1 Peter 1:21 |
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Newton's Easter sermon on 1 Peter 1:21
The apostles when speaking of Christ take it for granted that his name, his love, his work, were familiar to believers.
How should our hearts burn at verse 18.
Redeemed intimates at once former misery, present happiness and security, and the amazing love manifest in our redemption. Then he leads us far back – this love to sinners is no new thing, but was planned before time and though after the entrance of sin many ages passed, yet in the appointed hour was revealed – and what crowns the mercy – to you.
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garden tomb, Jerusalem
He was raised for our justification
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read the full sermon here |
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Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!
Revelation 19:6
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"If all the people who successively hear the Messiah Oratorio, who are struck and astonished, for the moment,
by this chorus in particular,
were to bring away with them an abiding sense of the importance of the sentiment it contains,
the nation would soon wear a new face." |
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John Newton, Sermon No. 26, Messiah, 1786 [link to printed sermons] |
Handel's Messiah was first performed in Dublin
at the Music Hall in Fishamble Street in 1742 |
Messiah by Mr Handel & Mr Newton was first performed
at Gloucester Cathedral in 2010 |
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previously un-named and undated
Some Thoughts on the Advantages and Expediency
of Religious Associations,
Humbly offered To all Practical Christians
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John Newton, Liverpool 1756 |
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Links to Introduction and the Pamphlet
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[added 14 November 2015] |
John Newton's Eclectic Society notes for 1789 - 1795
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previously unpublished!
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New Hymn News!
Newton's hymns with diary extracts for the same week side-by-side
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"The glory of 'amazing grace' shines the brighter..."
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"This painstaking compilation allows us to see some of the Olney Hymns set alongside Newton’s private journal, sometimes for the very day he wrote them.
It offers us new insights into the inspiration of his hymn writing. Topical references – personal or national – are transmitted into timeless prayer and biblical principles. The glory of ‘amazing grace’ shines the brighter for this juxtaposition of journal and hymns."
Timothy Dudley Smith
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Previous items:
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To view the whole hymn
in Newton's hand
click here |
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Let me dwell on Golgotha,
Weep and love my life away!
While I see him on the tree
Weep and bleed, and die for me!
That dear blood, for sinners spilt,
Shows my sin in all its guilt:
Ah, my soul, he bore thy load,
Thou hast slain the Lamb of GOD.
Hark! his dying words; "Forgive,
Father, let the sinner live;
Sinner, wipe thy tears away,
I thy ransom freely pay."
Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 56 |
Let me dwell on Golgotha
from The John Newton Project on Vimeo
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While I hear this grace revealed,
And obtain a pardon sealed;
All my soft affections move,
Wakened by the force of love.
Farewell world, thy gold is dross,
Now I see the bleeding cross;
JESUS died to set me free
From the law, and sin, and thee!
He has dearly bought my soul
LORD, accept, and claim the whole!
To thy will I all resign,
Now, no more my own, but thine.
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Ministry on my mind |
 "These thoughts should be required reading for all Christians in the light of our common calling to holy living and holy testimony, but specially for those who are given the unspeakable privilege of 'full-time service’, whether they are in their early days, or, like me, wishing I had read these miscellaneous thoughts sixty years ago."
Alec Motyer, formerly Principal Trinity Theological College, Bristol |
 "It is hard to believe that any Christians, wondering if God was calling them to ordained service, ever meditated on relevant Scriptures so perceptively, and recorded their discernments so luminously, as did John Newton. His journaling of his journey towards vocational certainty is a very precious part of the legacy of this great man of God."
James I Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver
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former JNP Chairman,
John Langlois OBE,
interviews trustee
Tony Baker
about
Ministry on my mind
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Tonight I attended an Eclipse of the Moon
I thought my Lord of thine Eclipse - the horrible darkness which overwhelmed thy mind,
when Thou saidst - Why hast Thou forsaken me?
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On the eclipse of the moon
July 30 1776 |
see the full hymn in Newton's handwriting |
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John Newton to John Thornton, a Governor of the Bank of England
I observed the Eclipse of the Moon on Tuesday night, till it was wholly covered by the shade, and endeavoured to draw some meditations from it, which gave rise to a hymn that was the subject of my discourse last night at the Great House - our Saviour’s passion, the motions of the heavenly bodies being a pledge of His faithfulness to His promises (Jeremiah 33:20,21,25) and the dark seasons to which believers in the present life are liable, were the principal points. I take the liberty to send you a copy of the hymn on the other side, for no other reasons than that the subject is not common, and that you have been pleased often favourably to accept what I have sent of this sort.
4 August 1776
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The moon in silver glory shone,
And not a cloud in sight;
When suddenly a shade begun
To intercept her light.
How fast across her orb it spread,
How fast her light withdrew!
A circle, ting'd with languid red,
Was all appear'd in view.
While many with unmeaning eye
Gaze on thy works in vain;
Assist me, LORD, that I may try
Instruction to obtain.
Fain would my thankful heart and lips
Unite in praise to thee;
And meditate on thy eclipse,
In sad Gethsemane. |
Thy people's guilt, a heavy load!
(When standing in their room)
Depriv'd thee of the light of GOD,
And fill'd thy soul with gloom.
How punctually eclipses move,
Obedient to thy will!
Thus shall thy faithfulness and love,
Thy promises fulfill.
Dark, like the moon without the sun,
I mourn thine absence, LORD!
For light or comfort have I none,
But what thy beams afford.
But lo! the hour draws near apace,
When changes shall be o'er;
Then shall I see thee face to face,
And be eclips'd no more. |
"Yes there is a better world, where our sun shall no more go down, neither the moon withdraw its shining – or rather, both moon and sun shall be needless, for the Lord Himself shall be the Everlasting Unclouded Light of His people. Oh how different is the land we are going to, from this wilderness through which we are now passing."
I remain
Dearest Sir
Your most obedt and obliged
Servant
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Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 85 |
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Jeremiah 33:20,21,25:
Thus saith the Lord: If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. Thus saith the Lord; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth… |
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21 March 1776 |
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The anniversary of my great deliverance in 1748 calls for my grateful acknowledgement.
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In the midst of the necessary calls of this day, I would keep thy mercy in mind. I remember when I stood trembling to appearance upon the brink of eternity, and thought it impossible I could live a quarter of an hour. Since that memorable day thou hast added twenty-eight years to my life – and I am still living, and feel little abatement of health and strength. How wonderful has been thy goodness to me in this long space. And alas how amazing has been the contrast on my side – unfaithful, ungrateful, vile creature that I am. But still I am thine. Thou bearest with me, and multipliest forgiveness and mercies to me. O Lord warm, animate and purify my heart. Draw nigh to my soul. Unite my divided heart. So far as a poor creature can (who without thy secret influence can do nothing). I open to thee, and invite thee to take a full possession. Abase the power of self, and reign alone in my soul. My time is shortening apace. O that the remainder may be spent for thee. Be my Shepherd, my Saviour, my All – and may all that I have and am be devoted to thee, and employed for thee. |
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Blog
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30 July 1776 |
Tonight I attended an eclipse of the moon. How great are thy works; with what punctuality do the heavenly bodies fulfil their courses, and observe their seasons to a moment. All things obey thee, but fallen angels, and fallen man. My thoughts would have taken a serious turn, but I was not alone. I thought, my Lord, of Thine eclipse – the horrible darkness which overwhelmed Thy mind when Thou saidst, Why hast Thou forsaken Me? Ah sin was the cause – my sins. Yet I do not hate sin, nor loathe myself as I ought. The Great House rather thin tonight. I spoke farther on the case of Ignorance. Mr Samples with us after his great illness. Peggy is still ill.
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Friday 1 January 1773
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New Year's Day
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The vicarage in Olney
where John Newton wrote Amazing Grace in his attic study,
for his sermon on 1 Chronicles 17:16,17
for New Year's Day, Friday 1 January 1773
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Amazing Grace 240th anniversary (2013) from
The John Newton Project on Vimeo.
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Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
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The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
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John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779, Book 1, Hymn 41 |
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"As the workings of the heart of man, and of the Spirit of GOD, are in general the same, in all who are the subjects of grace, I hope most of these hymns, being the fruit and expression of my own experience, will coincide with the views of real Christians of all denominations."
"The views I have received of the doctrines of grace are essential to my peace, I could not live comfortably a day or an hour without them."
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The words for John Newton's hymn Amazing Grace
come from 1 Chronicles 17:16,17
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I preached this forenoon from 1 Chronicles 17:16,17.
Hope I was enabled to speak with some liberty,
but found my own heart sadly unaffected. |
some of Newton's matching Scripture and hymn verses:
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v7 |
‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep...' |
Amazing grace…
that saved a wretch like me. |
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v8 |
'and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you' |
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come |
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v9 |
'And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more...' |
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace. |
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v10 |
'And I will subdue all your enemies.' |
He will my shield and portion be |
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v16 |
'Who am I, O Lord God...?' |
That saved a wretch like me! |
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v16 |
'...that you have brought me thus far?' |
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far |
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v17 |
'You have also spoken ... for a great while to come' |
As long as life endures |
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v23 |
And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant ... be established forever, and do as you have spoken |
His word my hope secures |
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v26 |
...you have promised this good thing to your servant |
The Lord has promised good to me |
v12
v14
v22
v23
v24
v27 |
(the word occurs eight times!)
"... for ever"
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Will be forever mine.
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In his New Year’s Day sermon, Newton commends David’s desire “to express his gratitude” to the Lord for His “many blessings”.
But Newton notes of the Lord’s people, that “unless he likewise gives them a thankful heart, they lose much of the comfort they might have in them”.
David’s responses are helpful to us “as a proper subject for our meditations on the entrance of a new year”, for they "lead us to a consideration of past mercies and future hopes and intimate the frame of mind which becomes us when we contemplate what the Lord has done for us”.
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Marylynn Rouse, 27/08/2016
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