From the letters of John Newton

It is the faint Dictate even of Natural Reason, but the more clear and full Discovery of Revelation, That when we die, when our Souls shall be separated from our Bodies, when we leave this World, we shall not then perish like the Brutes, and cease to be- but shall subsist and con-tinue in another State and Capacity, either of Happiness or Misery, to all Eternity. And we are further in-structed from Divine Revelation in -Page 2-the Holy Scriptures, That this present Life, this short and uncertain time of continuance in this World, is the on-ly space of Probation and Trial, to fit and prepare us for our future Eter-nal State. As the Tree falls, so it lies. There is no Work nor Repentance in the Grave. But as Death shall seize us, in the same Capacity we shall appear before the Throne of God, and shall then be disposed of in an irreversible unalterable State, either of Happiness or Misery.

Devotional Morning By Morning while testing a new microphone.

At first, the soul in indignation will be offended at the thoughts. But by entertaining the thoughts, the soul grows familiar with it. Instead of being startled as before, it may say, -Is it not a little one--

Evils before unnoticed are now perceived to mingle with his services- for his self-knowledge is advanced- his remedy seems to increase his disease- he suspects that all his former joy was a delusion, and is ready to conclude, that 'God hath forgotten to be gracious, and has shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure.' These experiences, sufficiently painful in themselves, are often rendered more distressing, by erroneous expectations of uninterrupted comfort, or by reading books, or hearkening to instructions, which state things unscripturally- representing comfort as the evidence of acceptance, assurance as the essence of faith, impressions or visions as the witness of the Spirit- or perfection as attainable in this life, nay, actually attained by all the regenerate- as if this were the church triumphant, and not the church militant.

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke

Comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise. I believe there are hundreds and thousands who remain in doubt and darkness and go down to despair because there is a description given and a preparation for Christ demanded to which they cannot attain-a description indeed which is not true-because it is a description of what they feel after they have found Christ and not what they must feel before they may come to Him.