John Newton, the former master of a slave ship, was changed by God’s grace and became one of the world's most beloved pastors. He was an abolitionist and the writer of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace”.
It is well both for ministers and private Christians to have as little to do with politics as possible.
My prayer to God for you is, that he may induce you to employ the talents he has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil, and to engage those who love and fear him, instead of losing time in political speculation, for which very few of them are tolerably competent, to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that, if it may be, wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged. This, I think, is the true patriotism, the best, if not the only way, in which persons in private life may serve their country.
I am or would be of no sect or party, civil or religious; but a lover of mankind. It is my part to mourn over sin, and the misery which sin causes, to be humbled for my own sins especially, to pray for peace, and to preach the gospel. Other things I leave to those who have more leisure and ability, and I leave the whole to him who does all things well!.
Our Lord’s kingdom is not of this world; and most of his people may do their country much more essential service by pleading for it in prayer, than by finding fault with things which they have no power to alter. A nation’s safety lies more in the prayers of its people than in the fleets of its navy.
From poison and politics, good Lord deliver me. I think a political spirit as hurtful to the life of God in the soul as poison is to the bodily frame.
Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ by Tony Reinke
Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade by John Newton
