The Searcher of Hearts: A new discovery of writings on Romans 8
By John Newton (edited by Marylynn Rouse)
Christian Heritage (Christian Focus Publications). 157 pages. £6.99
ISBN 185792314 6
This book is a transcript of some of John Newton's hand-written lecture notes, previously unpublished, covering Romans 8.26-34. These lectures were given by Newton at the mid-week meetings of his church in Olney. The editor has transcribed them with very minimal alterations of spelling and punctuation; thus the text is essentially as it was when Newton himself put pen to paper.
Each chapter is quite short, and sets out clearly Newton's thoughts on these verses section by section. For ease of access, the headings and sub-headings are clearly labelled and numbered, giving a sense of order and natural progression from point to point. I would have thought that these notes would be particularly useful to anyone who is preaching on this part of Romans, or leading a Bible study group, although the subjects covered have a much wider appeal, including such topics as prayer, the work of the Holy Spirit, providence, election, and the death of Christ.
