John Newton Quotes

If you’re familiar with the greatest hymns of faith entitled “Amazing Grace” perhaps you’re also aware of the existence of the co-author of this song named John Newton. He was popularly known as one who had seamlessly influenced the English hymnology of the song.

Moreover, he was a faithful Christian believer who had experienced his spiritual conversion while still on a ship working. He also played a huge significant role in the establishment of the evangelical movement and was well-known as a skillful preacher and a dedicated faithful follower.

During the time that his friend  William Wilberforce campagined against the slavery and eventually served as an abolitionist, John Newton himself supported thay campagined although he was involved in a slave trade and even became a captained for most slavery ships. Later on, John Newton had also became as an abolitionist against slavery.

In addition, he was also the author of another hymn entitled, “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken.” Since he was portrayed in several various works of art, in the field of films, plays and even many novels, his legacy is still continuing to influence and live even after his death.

Originally , he had begun to accept and embrace the doctrines of evangelical Christianity on March 10, 1748, and thereafter, he had avoided any form of gambling, profanity and even drinking alcoholic beverages.

Most of the words he left embarked in the entire history as it showed how deep his faith unto our God and the Gospel of Jesus. Here are the listed fifty quotes of John Newton.

1. “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” – John Newton

2. “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” – John Newton, Amazing Grace

3. “I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon. (his last words).” – John Newton

4. “This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus.” – John Newton

5. “We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.” – John Newton

6. “God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms.” – John Newton, Amazing Grace

7. “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.” – John Newton, Amazing Grace

8. “Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such none can ever ask too much.” – John Newton

9. “If we seem to get no good by attempting to draw near to Him, we may be sure we will get none by keeping away from Him.” – John Newton

10. “Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions — he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

11. “I endeavored to renounce society, that I might avoid temptation. But it was a poor religion; so far as it prevailed, only tended to make me gloomy, stupid, unsociable, and useless.” – John Newton

12. “If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth’s grandest empire, the other to go and sweep the streets of its meanest village, it would be a matter of entire indifference to each which service fell to his lot, the post of ruler or the post of scavenger; for the joy of the angels lies only in obedience to God’s will, and with equal joy they would lift a Lazarus in his rags to Abraham’s bosom, or be a chariot of fire to carry an Elijah home.” – John Newton

13. “If you once love Him, you will study to please Him.” – John Newton

14. “Afflictions quicken us to prayer. It is a pity it should be so; but experience testifies, that a long course of ease and prosperity, without painful changes—has an unhappy tendency to make us cold and formal in our secret worship. But troubles rouse our spirits, and constrain us to call upon the Lord in good earnest—when we feel a need of that help which we only can have from his almighty arm. Afflictions are useful, and in a degree necessary, to keep alive in us—a conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of the present world, and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this world is not our rest, and to call our thoughts upwards, where our true treasure is, and where our heart ought to be. When things go on much to our wish, our hearts are too prone to say, “It is good to be here!” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

15. “You have liberty to cast all your cares upon him who cares for you. By one hour’s intimate access to the throne of grace, where the Lord causes his glory to pass before the soul that seeks him — you may acquire more true spiritual knowledge and comfort, than by a day or a week’s converse with the best of men, or the most studious perusal of many folios.” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

16. “The midsummer sun shines but dim, The fields strive in vain to look gay; But when I am happy in Him December’s as pleasant as May.” –  John Newton

17. “When we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again, have given up all hope–and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety; and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over, we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God, beyond and against appearances. ” – John Newton

18. “But that we are so totally depraved, is a truth which no one ever truly learned by being only told it.” – John Newton, Select Letters of John Newton

19. “Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines—as well as upon works!” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

20. “It is a great thing to die; and, when flesh and a heart fail, to have God for the strength of our hearts, and our portion forever. I know whom I have believed, and he is able to keep that which I have committed against that great day. Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day.” – John Newton

21. “God could have over-ruled every difficulty in your way, had he seen it expedient. But he is pleased to show you, that you depend not upon men—but upon himself; and that, notwithstanding your situation, may exclude you from some advantages in point of outward means. He who has begun a good work in you, is able to carry it on, in defiance of all seeming hindrances, and make all things (even those which have the most unfavorable appearances) work together for your good.” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

22. “I wish you may profit by my experience. Alas, how much time have I lost and wasted, which, had I been wise—I would have devoted to reading and studying the Bible! But my evil heart obstructs the dictates of my judgment, I often feel a reluctance to read this book of books, and a disposition to hew out broken cisterns which afford me no water, while the fountain of living waters are close within my reach!” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

23. “What will it profit a man if he gains his cause and silences his adversary—if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights, and to which the promise of his presence is made? ” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

24. “We judge things by their present appearances, but the Lord sees them in their consequences.” – John Newton, Letters of John Newton

25. “Of all people who engage in controversy, we, who are called Calvinists, are most expressly bound by our own principles to the exercise of gentleness and moderation.” – John Newton

26. “How unspeakably wonderful to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us.” – John Newton

27. “The appearance of an angel from heaven could add nothing to the certainty of the declarations he has already put into our hands.” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

28. “When our hopes are most alive, it is less from a view of the imperfect beginnings of grace in our hearts, than from an apprehension of him who is our all in all. His person, his love, his sufferings, his intercession, his compassion, his fullness, and his faithfulness—these are our delightful themes, which leave us little leisure, when in our best frames, to speak of ourselves… If any people have contributed a mite to their own salvation, it was more than we could do. If any were obedient and faithful to the first calls and impressions of his Spirit, it was not our case. If any were prepared to receive him beforehand, we know that we were in a state of alienation from him. We needed sovereign, irresistible grace to save us, or we would be lost forever! If there are any who have a power of their own, we must confess ourselves poorer than they are. We cannot watch, unless he watches with us; we cannot strive, unless he strives with us; we cannot stand one moment, unless he holds us up; and we believe we must perish after all, unless his faithfulness is engaged to keep us. But this we trust he will do, not for our righteousness, but for his own name’s sake, and because, having loved us with an everlasting love, he has been pleased in loving kindness to draw us to himself, and to be found by us when we sought him not.” – John Newton, Select Letters of John Newton

29. “Let us chide our cold unfeeling hearts and pray for a coal of fire from the heavenly altar to send us home in a flame of love to him who has thus loved us.” – John Newton

30. “From the time we know the Lord, and are bound to him by the cords of love and gratitude — the two chief points we should have in our view, I apprehend, are, to maintain communion with him in our own souls, and to glorify him in the sight of men.” – John Newton, The Letters of John Newton

31. “A Christian has noble aims which distinguish him from the bulk of mankind. His leading principles, motives, and desires are all supernatural and divine. Could he do as he desires there is not an angel before the Eternal Throne, that would excel him in holiness, love, and obedience! He would tread in the very footsteps of his Savior, fill up every moment of time in His service, and employ every breath in His praise!” – John Newton

32. “What Thou wilt, when Thou wilt, how Thou wilt.” – John Newton

33. “If it were possible for me to alter any part of his plan, I could only spoil it.” – John Newton

34. “Can we wish, if it were possible, to walk in a path strewed with flowers when His was strewed with thorns?” – John Newton

35. “They are the happiest Christians, who have the lowest thoughts of themselves, and in whose eyes Jesus is most glorious and precious.” – John Newton

36. “Believers who have most knowledge, are not therefore necessarily the most spiritual.” – John Newton

37. “A soul may be in as thriving a state when thirsting, seeking and mourning after the Lord as when actually rejoicing in Him; as much in earnest when fighting in the valley as when singing upon the mount.” – John Newton

38. “The Lord afflicts us at times; but it is always a thousand times less than we deserve, and much less than many of our fellow-creatures are suffering around us. Let us therefore pray for grace to be humble, thankful, and patient.” – John Newton

39. “A measure of trials is necessary for the exercise and manifestation of your graces; to give you a more convincing proof of the truth and sweetness of the promises made to a time of affliction; to mortify the body of sin; and to wean you more effectually from the world.” – John Newton

40. “The chief thing to be attended to is, that [family worship] may be a spiritual service; and the great evil to be dreaded and guarded against in the exercise of every duty that returns frequently upon us, is formality. If a stated course of [it] is kept up as constantly in its season as the striking of the clock, in time it may come to be almost as mechanically performed, unless we are continually looking to the Lord to keep our hearts alive.” – John Newton

41. “There is something fascinating in grief; though we feel it hurts our peace…we are apt to indulge it and to brood over sorrow till it gives a tincture to the whole frame of our spirits… Dally no more with grief; try to cut short all recollections that feed the anguish of the mind.” – John Newton

42. “The Lord’s commands to His people are not arbitrary appointments; but that, so far as they are conscientiously complied with, they have an evident tendency and suitableness to promote our own advantage. He requires us to acknowledge Him…for our own sakes; not because He has need of our poor services, but because we have need of His blessing, and without the influence of His grace (which is promised to all who seek it) are sure to be unhappy in ourselves and in all our connections.”- John Newton

43. “I count it my honor and happiness that I preach to a free people who have the Bible in their hands. To your Bibles I appeal. I entreat, I charge you to receive nothing upon my word any farther than I can prove it from the Word of God. And bring every preacher and every sermon that you hear to the same standard.” – John Newton

44. “When I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.” – John Newton 

45. “In general, He guides and directs His people, affording them, in answer to prayer, the light of His Holy Spirit, which enables them to understand and to love the Scriptures.” – John Newton

46. “Of all people who engage in controversy, we, who are called Calvinists, are most expressly bound by our own principles to the exercise of gentleness and moderation.” – John Newton

47. “I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.” – John Newton

48. ” You know the common expression, “A jack of all trades.” I am sure a minister had need be such a one: a brave soldier, an alert watchman, a caring shepherd, a hardworking farmer, a skillful builder, a wise counselor, a competent physician and a loving nurse.” – John Newton

49. “You know the common expression, “A jack of all trades.” I am sure a minister had need be such a one: a brave soldier, an alert watchman, a caring shepherd, a hardworking farmer, a skillful builder, a wise counselor, a competent physician and a loving nurse.” – John Newton

50. “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.”- John Newton

Although some people today wondered if the words that are being used in the hymns of faith song entitled Amazing Grace  are more on the side of hyperbole or an extra bit of dramatic license, however, the song author himself clearly explained that it was not.

Plus, most of the written works of John Newton are all inspired and out of his devotion and deep faith towards God. If you’re going to read every listed quote above, you’ll be able to understand how his life turned around after he had experienced his spiritual conversion. These words testified how God is working into his life. The way he stood and became one of those people who had laid the foundation for the evangelical movement to be established also shows how deep his faith.

Truly, it can bring a big influence for those followers of Christ as it serves as a testimonial of a person who accepted God into his life. Additionally, most of John Newton’s works are the root of inspiration and his legacy are still recognized up to this time as it was featured in most films, there are even novels published based on his life works and many more.

For those Christian believers , if you want to get inspired whenever you are in doubt of your faith, you’re free to read all the fifty quotes listed above.

And there are many written works of John Newton that will definitely be worth reading and will give you so much wisdom about life and faith.