An Instrument of Divine Grace: John Newton Encounters John Wesley

Grant Gordan’s recent publication, An Instrument of Divine Grace, describes the interactions between John Newton and John Wesley beginning in 1757, when the two first met during Wesley’s preaching tour in Liverpool, where Newton lived at the time. What makes this study valuable to students, scholars, and historians is that Gordon based his research on the rediscovery of John Newton’s manuscript diary for the period from 23 September 1756 to 31 December 1772. This middle section of Newton’s three-volume diary had been missing since 1868. Known as Diary 2, it offers new information on Newton’s spiritual and ministerial development and on Wesley’s preaching tours to Liverpool over a five-year period (1757–61). Newton not only recorded his interactions with Wesley but also provided extensive notes on fifty-three sermons that Wesley preached in Newton’s hearing.Gordon brings to this study a wealth of expertise, having published two prior studies on John Newton. He earned graduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary and today focuses on extensive original research and writing about evangelicalism in the eighteenth century. The depth of his research is evident in this volume. The writing style is appropriate for scholars and general readers alike.The first two chapters give a review of Newton’s early life leading up to 1757 and a survey of Liverpool in the mid-eighteenth century. I should add that the book includes many pictures and diagrams to help readers connect with the story. The third chapter forms the heart of the volume by examining the five encounters between Newton and Wesley during the latter’s preaching tours in Liverpool. Each tour forms a section in the chapter that includes Wesley’s Journal and Newton complete diary. At times Gordon inserts additional material that adds context and information about the relationship between the two men. The chapter closes with a summary of the five encounters.Chapters 4 and 5 catalogue the events that transpired in Newton’s life following 1761, including his call to minister at Olney and his correspondence with Wesley. Each letter is examined in detail by Gordon. Chapter 6 evaluates the impact of Newton’s encounters with Wesley, while chapter 7 addresses Newton’s later relationship with Wesley and the Wesleyan movement. The reader will find that the seven chapters provide a thorough evaluation of the relationship between Newton and Wesley. In addition, the book includes several appendices that scholars will find helpful. These include Gordon’s thoughts on the accuracy of Newton’s notes on Wesley’s fifty-three sermons, a list of the sermons’ biblical texts and their chronological order, a compilation of the correspondence between Newton and Wesley, an extensive analysis of Wesley’s preaching heard by Newton, and a brief overview of Newton’s three-volume diary.Gordon’s study fills a hole in Newton and Wesley research and adds to our knowledge of the burgeoning evangelical movement in the eighteenth century. One of the gems in this study is how the moderate Calvinist John Newton and the Arminian John Wesley developed a relationship of mutual respect and appreciation at a time when the two theological camps were often at war. While Newton initially had some suspicions of Wesley because of their theological differences, he soon developed deep respect for the man and valued his teaching ministry. This is evident in the copious notes Newton took of Wesley’s sermons. It also highlights Newton’s integrity, personally and theologically. Even in those areas where the two men did not see eye-to-eye, they both clearly appreciated their bond and fellowship as believers in Christ.Regarding Wesley’s sermons in this volume, his selections of biblical texts range from Deuteronomy to Revelation, with the majority taken from the gospels and Paul’s letters. The topics include a range of issues. The recorded times of Wesley’s preaching were usually in the early mornings and early to mid-evenings. Newton even noted the inspiration he felt from one of Wesley’s sermons to write the hymn ‘Here at Bethsaida’s Pool’. I highly recommend this volume for its addition to our knowledge of Calvinist-Arminian relations in the eighteenth century, Newton’s spiritual and theological development, and Wesley’s preaching ministry.