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New Year’s Morning 1778
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Psalm 71:9 |
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. [1] |
Diary 1 January 1778:
‘This morning I preached with liberty, on a subject which now begins to become my own.
Advanced far in my 53 year I may well think myself verging to old age.
The season when creature comforts drop away in succession, and the relish of those which remain grow daily fainter…’
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This petition begins to be suitable to many of us. |
1. |
It implies: |
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1.1 |
The aged believer has no additional claim upon God in himself. When he first came, the Lord might have rejected him – and now at last he may cast him off – for any plea he can urge, but mere mercy. He is still an unprofitable servant, and can only say, Enter not into judgement. [2] |
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1.2 |
By the time he enters upon old age, painful experience teaches him the need of such a prayer. |
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1.2.1 |
As his graces are still imperfect, his powers are feelingly upon the decline. It was but little he could do at the best, but now less and less. |
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1.2.2 |
He feels other props and comforts dropping off apace. When he was young he had warm spirits and pleasing prospects. But O the change. The friends in which he once delighted – in some key has found inconstancy – others have successively been taken away by death – they have fallen like the leaves in autumn, and now he stands like a naked trunk, if any remain, he is expecting to lose them likewise, except he is himself taken from them. |
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1.2.3 |
Old age lessens the relish of such earthly comforts as might be otherwise enjoyed. See Ecclesiastes 12; [3] 2 Samuel 19:34, 35. [4] Pains, infirmities, loss of sleep and appetite. Now if he be not comforted from the Lord, he can expect [nothing] elsewhere. |
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How miserable is a wicked old age. O if you are rejoicing in youth and strength, yet remember evil days will be with you. |
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1.2.4 |
Old age is a sure forerunner of death. Youth has no security – age has no possibility of escaping. But though friends fail, cisterns burst, gourds wither, strength declines and death advances. Do not thou cast me off, and all is well. |
2. |
This is not a helpless cry – but the prayer of faith, founded upon a sure premise. |
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The Lord will not cast off his people. See Psalm 48:14; [5] Isaiah 46:3; [6] Psalm 73:26. [7] |
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2.1 |
He will own the covenant relation to the last. |
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2.2 |
He will make up for all losses and changes better than ten sons. [8] |
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2.3 |
He will give strength according to the day. |
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2.4 |
He will especially be near in death. |
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2.5 |
If not cast off then what follows – eternal life. |
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[Observe] |
1. |
Praise the Lord who has brought us thus far and preserved life and profession. |
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Commit all to him. If he will not cast off, then all shall be right and well. |
3. |
You that are younger prepare for old age, but do not reckon upon it. |
Endnotes:
[1] |
Newton wrote the text in Byrom shorthand. |
[2] |
Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. |
[3] |
Ecclesiastes 12 [whole chapter on old age… Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…] |
[4] |
2 Samuel 19:34, 35 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? |
[5] |
Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. |
[6] |
Isaiah 46:3 [4 intended? And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.] |
[7] |
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. |
[8] |
Under Satan’s hand Job lost all his possessions, together with his 7 sons and 3 daughters, – but, Job 42:10,12 …the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before… the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning… |
Acknowledgements:
Princeton University, John Newton Diary, CO199
ms No. 35 Cowper & Newton Museum
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Marylynn Rouse, 21/12/2016
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