Vol. 3 of The Works of John Newton _{^{(Newton, John, and Richard Cecil. The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1824.)}} contains a work titled: “A REVIEW OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, SO FAR AS IT CONCERNS THE PROGRESS, DECLENSIONS, AND REVIVALS OF EVANGELICAL DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE: WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE SPIRIT AND METHODS BY WHICH VITAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RELIGION HAVE BEEN OPPOSED, IN ALL AGES OF THE CHURCH.”

It sounds imposing but it really isn’t. It is comprised of 2 short “books.”

Book one consists of a very readable recounting of the Gospel narratives as though someone sat down to just tell you the whole story in their own words with some reflections here and there. Newton titles it: “Of the First Period of Christianity.”

Book two – “Of the Second Period of Christianity” recounts all of Acts in the same style. It contains 4 chapters.

Ch. 1 – Covers Acts to the close of the 1st Century.

Ch. 2 – “An Essay on the Character of St. Paul, considered as an Exemplar or Pattern of a Minister of Jesus Christ.” A must read for all who entertain being in ministry.

Ch. 3 – Examines how quickly aberrant doctrines and practices emerged in the early Church. So early, Peter, Paul, James and Jude need to address them in their letters. There is nothing new under the sun.

Ch. 4 – Deals with the heresies which arose even in Apostolic times. Heresies which emerge, sink and re-emerge in every generation.

It is in the 4th chapter that we find the following which I am calling a sketch of the true Christian. I found it so succinct and refreshing as to warrant this post. I pray it will be a blessing to you as well.

If you are Christ’s today, may this serve as a great reminder of just what that means. And if you are not – may this whet your appetite to possess what belongs to all of the heirs of salvation.

“A believer in Jesus, however obscure, unnoticed, or oppressed in the present life, is happy; he is a child of God, the charge of angels, an heir of glory;* he has meat to eat that the world knows not of; and from the knowledge of his union and relation to his Redeemer, he derives a peace which passes understanding,† and a power suited to every service and circumstance of life.‡ Though weak in himself, he is strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus the Lord,§ upon whom he relies, as his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification; and expects from him, in due time, a complete redemption from every evil.|| His faith is not merely speculative, like the cold assent we give to a mathematical truth, nor is it the blind impulse of a warm imagination; but it is the effect of an apprehension of the wisdom, power, and love displayed in the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ; it is a constraining principle, that works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world; it gives the foretaste and evidence of things invisible to mortal eyes, and, transforming the soul into the resemblance of what it beholds, fills the heart with benevolence, gentleness, and patience, and directs every action to the sublimest ends, the glory of God, and the good of mankind.*

• Rom. 8:14, 17.

† Phil. 4:7.

‡ 2 Cor. 12:9.

§ 2 Tim. 2:1.

|| 1 Cor. 1:30.

• Gal. 5:6; Acts, 15:9; 1 John, 5:4; Heb. 11:1; 2 Cor. 3:18.

John Newton and Richard Cecil, The Works of John Newton (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1824), 295–296.