I've begun to read John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace. It's fascinating so far, bringing out the complexity of Newton's life and conversion. It wasn't an overnight sensation, by any means!
When he finally decided to go into ministry, these were the goals Newton wrote for himself:
To know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified that I may declare His unsearchable riches to sinners... to insist much upon the great essential points of the glories of His person and offices, His wonderful love and condescension, His power, faithfulness and readiness to save, the grandeur of His works, the perfection of His example, His life, passion, death and resurrection.
The result of such worthy goals was to be rejected for ordination in the Church of England for six years. As Jonathan Aitken puts it: "His trouble was that he was suspected of the heinous crime of 'enthusiasm'."
May we all be as enthusiastic.
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