Sir Francis Newport was taught in early life to understand the great truths of the Gospel. While he was still a child his parents hoped that he would become a blessing to family and nation, but his course resulted far otherwise.
In his early manhood he fell into company that corrupted his principles and morals. He became an avowed infidel, and a life of dissipation soon brought on a disease that was incurable. When he knew that he must soon die, he threw himself upon the bed in hopeless despair.
After a little while he exclaimed to a friend: "Whence this war in my heart? What argument is there now to assist me against matters of fact? Can I assert there is no hell while I feel one in my bosom? How can I be certain there is no after-retribution when I feel a present judgment? Should I affirm my soul to be as mortal as my body when this languishes and that is as vigorous as ever? Oh for the years that the locusts have eaten! Who can restore to me that early piety and innocence? Wretch that I am, whither shall I flee from the anguish in this breast? What will become of me?”
His infidel companion tried to dispel his gloomy thoughts; but to him he replied: "That there is a God, I know! I continually feel the effect of His wrath. That there is a hell, I am equally certain, for I have received an earnest of my inheritance there already in my breast. That there is a natural conscience I now feel with amazement and horror. I am continually upbraided by it because of my impieties and all my iniquities. All my sins are brought to my remembrance. Why God has marked me out as an example of His vengeance rather than you or any other of my acquaintances, I presume is because I have been more religiously educated, and so have done greater despite to the Spirit of grace.”
"Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Heb. 10:2929Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29).
Later, Sir Francis said: "Oh, that I might lie a thousand years upon the fire that never is quenched to purchase the favor of God, and then be united to Him forever! But it is a fruitless wish. Millions of millions of years would bring me no nearer to the end of my torments than one poor hour. Oh, eternity, eternity! Who can discover the abyss of eternity! Who can soften the words: FOREVER and EVER?”
Lest his friends should think he was insane, Sir Francis said: "You imagine me melancholy or distracted. I wish it were either! But it is part of my judgment that I am not. No; my apprehension of persons and things is more quick and vigorous than when I was in perfect health. It is my curse because I am hereby more sensible of the condition I have fallen into.
"Would you like to know why I became a skeleton in three or four days? Listen then. I have despised my Maker and denied my Redeemer! I have joined myself to atheists and the profane! I have continued this course against many convictions, till my iniquity was ripe for vengeance. The just judgment of God overtook me when my security seemed the greatest, and the checks to my conscience the least.”
As his mental distress and bodily disease were hurrying him into eternity, he was asked if he would like to have prayer offered in his behalf. He turned his face to the wall, crying: "Tigers and monsters! Are ye also become devils to torment me? Would ye give me a prospect of heaven to make my hell more intolerable?”
Soon after, his voice failing, he uttered a groan of inexpressible horror, and cried out: "Oh, the insufferable pangs of hell!" and died.
What an awful earnest God gave him of the depths of eternal loss! May his terrible end be a constant warning to multitudes of careless sinners.