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 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)?

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

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

The Imminent Danger (Pt 3)

Aug5

God does not speak to us by the audible voice of an inspired prophet; nor is it necessary. We know, or may know from His written Word, that it shall be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked. The appearance of an angel from heaven could add nothing to the certainty of the declarations He has already put into our hands. He has likewise raised up and perpetuated a succession of His ministers to enforce the warnings He has given us in the Scripture—and to remind us of our sins, and the sure and dreadful consequences, if we persist in them. Nor are we left at an uncertainty as to the event, if we humbly confess them, and implore forgiveness, in the way which He has prescribed (1Jo 1:9). The Gospel, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, is preached unto us. Jesus Christ as crucified is set forth among us. His blood cleanseth from all sin, and they who believe in Him are freed from condemnation, and completely justified (Rom 8:1; 5:1, 8, 9; 8:30). They have also free access to a throne of grace, and like Israel they have power, by prayer, to prevail with God and with man (Heb 4:16). And shall it be said of any of us, that the Lord gave us space to repent, and invited us to repentance, and we repented not? May His mercy forbid it!