A Pen Dipped in Love

(by John Newton)

John Newton (1725-1807), converted slave-trader, preacher, and hymn-writer, was one of the most colorful figures in the Evangelical Awakening of the eighteenth century. 'Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa', he once wrote for his epitaph, 'by the rich mercy of Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.'

It was through his prolific correspondence that Newton fulfilled his distinctive work as 'the letter-writer par excellence of the Evangelical Revival'. His grasp of Scripture and deep personal experience of the 'amazing grace' of God, his many friends (among them, Whitefield, Cowper and Wilberforce), his many and varied trials, his country pastorate, his strong, clear, idiomatic style - all these factors combined to prepare the author of 'How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds', for the exercise of his special gift.

"In few writers are Christian doctrine, experience and practice more happily balanced than in the author of these Letters, and few write with more simplicity, piety and force." - C. H. Spurgeon

"What thousands have derived repeated profit and pleasure from the perusal of these utterances of the heart! Nor ever will they cease to be found means of grace whilst God has a church on earth." - William Jay

"It was Newton's goodness rather than his greatness that rendered him so especially attractive; the abundance of the grace of God that was in him. In this respect he was pre-eminent, justifying the eulogy of William Jay who speaks of him as one of the most perfect instances of the spirit and temper of Christianity he ever knew. Some men excel in one virtue more than another. But Newton's character was beautiful in its entireness. It rested on a solid foundation; the initial Christian grace of humility, and of this grace he was a most striking example. He never for a moment forgot that by the grace of God he was what he was." Josiah Bull

Letter 1 - Grace in the Blade

Letter 2 - Grace in the Ear

Letter 3 - The Full Corn in the Ear

Letter 4 - Communion with God

Letter 5 - Spiritual Blindness

Letter 6 - The Right Use of the Law

Letter 7 - Snares and Difficulties Attending the Ministry

Letter 8 - Marks of a Call to the Ministry

Letter 9 - Advice on the Work of the Ministry

Letter 10 - Some Blemishes in Christian Character

Letter 11 - Love to the Brethren

Letter 12 - Doctrines of Election and Final Perseverance

Letter 13 - Divine Guidance

Letter 14 - The Practical Influence of Faith

Letter 15 - Family Worship

Letter 16 - Temptation: Advice to Tempted Souls

Letter 17 - Controversy: Advice Respecting your Opponent, the Public and Yourself

Letter 18 - Man in His Fallen Estate: Part One

Letter 19 - Man in His Fallen Estate: Part Two

Letter 20 - Causes, Nature, and Marks of Decline in Grace

Letter 21 - Difference Between Acquired and Experimental Knowledge

Letter 22 - The Believer's Inability on Account of Remaining Sin

Letter 23 - Evil Present with the Believer

Letter 24 - Advantages from Remaining Sin

Letter 25 - What the Believer can Attain to in This Life

Letter 26 - The Greatness of God

Letter 27 - The Lord the Shepherd of His People

Letter 28 - The Blessedness of the Believer

Letter 29 - The Character of a Christian

Letter 30 - Cases of Conscience

Letter 31 - How to Meet the Assaults of Satan

Letter 32 - How to Keep Close to the Lord

Letter 33 - The Benefits of Affliction

Letter 34 - Contrary Principles in the Believer

Letter 35 - Christ All-Sufficient

Letter 36 - Blessed are They That Mourn

Letter 37 - Conflict Exercises the Graces

Letter 38 - Submission to the Will of the Lord

Letter 39 - The Vanity of the World

"This book was given to me by a dear friend 33 years ago this month as I was a student in Seminary. It has had a profound impact upon my life ever since the day it was received. My copy has nearly fallen apart, and many of the letters have been read more than a dozen times. Newton was a man after God's heart, and his letters were written with a pen that was dipped in love.

It is a great honor for Solid Ground to be able to give this book a new chance to touch the hearts of many throughout the world. Once you have completed this Introduction to Newton's Letters you will surely want to attain all his letters as they are published by Banner of Truth. This would be a superb gift to give to a new Christian, a Seminary student, a Christian teacher and even someone who is yet a stranger of God and of grace. Just read the titles and you will want this book." -The Publisher