The Imminent Danger (Pt 7)

Aug9

But it is time to attend more immediately to our own concerns. The professed purpose of our meeting today is to humble ourselves before Almighty God, and to send up our prayers and supplications to the divine Majesty for obtaining pardon of our sins, and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring His blessing and assistance on sea and land, and for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety, and prosperity. I hope these expressions accord with the language and desire of our hearts.

And now—oh, for a glance of what Isaiah saw, and has described (Isa 6:1-4)! Oh, that we, by the power of that faith which is the evidence of things unseen, could behold the glory of the Lord filling this house; that we could realize the presence and the attitude of their attendant angels! They cover their faces and their feet with their wings, as overpowered by the beams of His majesty, and conscious, if not of defilement like us, yet of unavoidable inability as creatures to render Him the whole of that praise and homage which are justly due to Him. Oh, that by faith we could enter into the spirit of their ascription, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa 6:3)!

John Newton:
The Imminent Danger and Only Sure Resource of Our Nation

from: http://www.chapellibrary.org/

The Imminent Danger (Pt 6)

Aug8

Winslow Homer's "The Life Line," 1884
And though we are still favored with peace at home, the dreadful storm is at no great distance; it seems to move our way, and we have reason to fear it may burst upon us. But I would be thankful for the appointment of this day, for I should think the prospect dark indeed, if I did not rely on the Lord’s gracious attention to the united prayers of those who fear and trust Him, and who know it is equally easy for Him to save or to destroy, by many or by few (1Sa 14:6). Our fleets and armies may be well appointed, and well commanded; but without His blessing upon our councils and enterprises, they will be unable to defend us. He can take wisdom from the wise, and courage from the bold, in the moment when they are most needed. He can disable our forces by sickness or dissension. And by His mighty wind, He can dash our ships to pieces against the rocks, against each other, or sink them as lead in the mighty waters. “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not” (Lam 3:37)?

Our Lord and Savior, when speaking of the eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and slew them, said to the Jews, “Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luk 13:4-5). May the application of these words sink deeply into our hearts! We, on the contrary, were born and educated in a land, distinguished from all the nations of the earth, by the eminent degree in which we enjoy civil and religious liberty, and the light of Gospel-truth. These privileges exceedingly aggravate our sins; and no just comparison, in this respect, can be formed between us and other nations until we can find a people who have been equally favored, and for an equal space of time, by the providence of God, and have like wise equaled us in disobedience and ingratitude.

John Newton:
The Imminent Danger and Only Sure Resource of Our Nation

from: http://www.chapellibrary.org/

The Imminent Danger (Pt 5)

Aug7

The rivers of human blood, and all the calamities and horror which overspread a great part of the continent, the distant report of which is sufficient to make our ears tingle, are all to be ascribed to this cause. God is not acknowledged—yea, in some places, He has been formally disowned and renounced. Therefore men are left to themselves, their furious passions are unchained, and they are given up, without restraint, to the way of their own hearts. A more dreadful judgment than this cannot be inflicted on this side of hell.

John Newton:
The Imminent Danger and Only Sure Resource of Our Nation

from: http://www.chapellibrary.org/

The Imminent Danger (Pt 4)

Aug6

He now speaks to us by His providence. His judgments are abroad in the earth; it behooves us to learn righteousness. His hand is lifted up, and if any are so careless or obstinate that they will not see, yet—sooner or later—they must, they shall see. The great God has a controversy with the potsherds of the earth (Isa 45:9). The point to be decided between Him and many abroad—and, I fear, too many at home—is whether He be the Governor of the earth or not? His own people, to whom His name and glory are dear, will hold all inferior concerns in subordination to this. If there be no other alternative, misery and havoc must spread, men must perish by millions—yea, the frame of nature must be dissolved—rather than God be dishonored and defiled with impunity. But He will surely plead and gain His own cause; and either in a way of judgment or of mercy, all men shall know that He is the Lord. I believe there is no expression in the Old Testament so frequently repeated as this, Ye, or they, shall know that I am the Lord. “Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good” (Num 23:19)?