1785 July 30 [the underlinings may not be Newton's] My dear Madam   It is not now necessary to answer your letter immediately – nor can I write much – we just returned from a little jaunt out of town, and an absence of three days puts my affairs out of train. However I must send a line or two. I congratulate myself that what I wrote was accepted as a proof of friendship, and you, that the Lord, who makes you his care, had relieved you before I could come in with my puny assistance.   I see not why you should wish to feel guilty upon this occasion. Rather I hope you will feel joyful and thankful. The Lord has taught you a good lesson at a cheap rate. You were not to blame to read the book, for your intention was simple and upright – nor do I think you to blame, for being influenced, by some things you found in it, to hope the best of the whole. There are some, who if it were possible would deceive even the elect. It is not possible to deceive those finally, whom the Lord is pleased to teach and preserve – yet some of those have been much hurt by Palemon’s subtlety; and I would be thankful that you came so easily off – though indeed I was not greatly afraid for you, because I knew you were not leavened with that kind of spirit, which lays a person most open to the snares which Palemon has spread for the unwary. I am now glad that you read the book, nor can I be heartily sorry that it caused you a little perplexity. You are thereby the better qualified to caution others against his devices.   You have however good reason to praise the Lord who watched over you. Errors, like those which Palemon advances, may properly be compared to poison, which even when it does not kill, often leaves hurtful effects, and injures the constitution. Accept what has happened as a token of the Lord’s goodness to you and care over you. I believe hardly any book that has been published in our days, has done more mischief than Palemon’s letters, among professors. Many have been slain outright, and many sorely wounded, so that they have gone halting to the end of their pilgrimage. But it made the most havoc with unsettled, talking folks; they who were truly humbled and spiritual, and whose experience was built upon the solid ground of Scripture, have generally been disentangled without suffering loss, and have become wiser and more established by their mistake when they have discovered it.   I seem to have no advice to give, concerning what you shall say to Mr Gardiner, or to your visitant. You are upon the spot, and the Lord whom you serve will teach you what to say, because you will lift up your heart to him for your direction. Perhaps you will not find it necessary to say much to Mr G_ about it. To your visitant, you are not bound to use much ceremony. And perhaps it may be right to tell him simply and briefly what you think. But if he has imbibed the spirit of the book, it will hardly be worth your while to debate the subject with him. You will probably find you might as well speak to the East-wind.   Mrs Newton proposes going with Eliza to Southampton next week. [1] But as the case will require longer time, than I can afford to be absent from London, I must be left behind. I hope however that I shall be permitted to go down in a few weeks with Miss Catlett, [2] to escort them home. I shall be pleased by thinking that your prayers will be engaged for us all. Eliza is not upon the whole worse – but as we hoped the salt water was in some measure useful to her last year – the physician advises to try it again. [3] We are to do what appears right, and the Lord will do what is best. I know he is the only Physician. And if it be best, that she should recover, I have no doubt of her recovery.   We join in sincere respects to you and to Mr Gardiner.   I am Your affectionate friend and servant John Newton   Hoxton 30 July 85 Mrs Gardiner near Sleaford Lincolnshire   Endnotes:    [1] Newton stayed with Marine Engineer Walter Taylor (1734-1803) at Portswood, several summers, beginning with visits to enable Eliza to bathe in salt water. He continued this practice after his wife’s death. [2] Betsy Catlett (1769-1834), Newton's adopted niece, qv. [3] The physician was Dr James Benamor (d. 1814) of Milman Street, Bedford Row, London, who also attended Newton’s wife Mary. Acknowledgements: Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.28

26/05/2026