# The New Convert explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This poem by Cowper describes the initial joy and apparent strength of a new convert, which is soon tested by sin and the realization that true strength and peace come only from God's grace, not from one's own efforts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The poem concludes that salvation is by grace alone, not by human merit, and that God humbles the proud to teach this lesson.

### Human Sinfulness and Depravity

The new convert soon experiences the 'cruel sting' of sin, revealing the inherent weakness and sinfulness of human nature.

## Character check-ins

### The Child of Grace

The new convert, initially flourishing but soon discovering the frailty of his own strength.

### Gideon

Referenced as an example of God reducing human strength to prevent boasting.

### God

The one who brings down human pride and grants salvation by grace.

## Key lines

> The new-born child of gospel grace, Like some fair tree when summer’s nigh, Beneath Emmanuel’s shining face, Lifts up his blooming branch on high.

A new believer in the gospel flourishes like a tree in early summer, growing under the radiant presence of Christ.

_The initial joy and vitality of the new convert._

> But sin soon darts its cruel sting, And comforts sinking day by day; What seem’d his own, a self-fed spring, Proves but a brook that glides away.

Sin quickly attacks, and the convert's comforts diminish daily; what appeared to be a self-sustaining source of joy turns out to be a fleeting stream.

_The disillusionment of the new convert when sin and trials reveal human insufficiency._

> When Gideon arm’d his num’rous host, The Lord soon made his numbers less; And said, “Lest Isr’el vainly boast, My arm procured me this success.”

When Gideon had a large army, God reduced its numbers, saying that Israel might not boast that their own strength achieved victory.

_Reference to the biblical account of Gideon, illustrating God's method of humbling human pride._

> Thus will he bring our spirits down, And draw our ebbing comforts low, That, saved by grace, but not our own, We may not claim the praise we owe.

In the same way, God humbles our spirits and reduces our comforts, so that we recognize that we are saved by grace alone and cannot take credit for our salvation.

_The purpose of trials: to teach dependence on God's grace and prevent self-glorification._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/68-the-new-convert
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters