The Life And Ministry Of Anne Dutton

John A. Jones, “A Narration Of The Wonders Of Grace” (1833):

Come, spread thy savour on my frame,

(No sweetness so sweet,)

Till I get up, to sing Thy name,

Where all thy singers meet.

It pleased the Lord, in the fifteenth year of my age, to incline my heart to join with the Church of Christ in Northampton, over which the late Mr. Hunt was pastor. Under his ministry I was often laid to the breasts of consolation, and, being fed with the milk of the word, which was suited to my present case, I grew thereby. In the house of the Lord I oft sought for, and found my beloved; both in his more general and special ordinances. So that the experience of God’s power and glory in the sanctuary, was precious to my soul; and fellowship with his dear saints was sweet. But yet, I too much lived upon enjoyments. I delighted to have my interest in Christ tried, by all the marks and signs of a believer, which were continually laid down in the ministry. When I could find them, my heart was filed with joy; but, if there were any I did not clearly discern, I sunk down in sorrow. So foolish was I, that I looked for the effects of faith, when faith was not in exercise. Just as if a person should look for the beauty of the spring in the winter season; or seek to know what o’clock it is by the sun-dial, when the sun does not shine on it. And while I went this way to work, I never attained to settled assurance. No! the soul that enters into rest by faith, must have somewhat more firm and stable, than fleeting frames to lean upon.^[1]

At length it pleased the Lord to take me by the arms, and teach me to go in the way of faith, when I had not spiritual sense. I had been once, I remember, at a meeting of prayer, but not meeting with God in it, I returned very sad. And as I was lamenting my case, that word was brought to my mind, “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say rejoice.” But my heart straightway replied, “I have not enjoyed God tonight, and how can I rejoice?” Then the word brake in again upon my heart with such a ray of glorious light, that directed my soul to the true and proper object of its joy; even, the Lord himself. I was pointed hereto, as with a finger—In the Lord, not in your frames. In the Lord, not in what you enjoy from him, but in what you are in Him. And the Lord sealed my instruction, and filled my heart brim-full of joy, in the faith of my eternal interest and unchangeable standing in Him: and of His being an infinite fountain of blessedness for me to rejoice in alway; even when the streams of sensible enjoyments failed.

But yet I was often ready to stagger through unbelief; and at such times and seasons I was for putting forth my hand, to lay hold on past experiences, the remembrance of which, at times, had been precious to my soul. But when I sought for my satisfactions from hence, instead of deriving all my life and comfort from Christ by fresh acts of faith; the Lord, in great mercy, was pleased to draw a veil over his work upon my soul, and direct me to stay myself upon my God, even when I walked in the dark as to present enjoyments, and had not the light of past experience. And this was to make me die unto a life of sense, in order to raise me up to a higher life of faith upon the Son of God. The Holy Spirit shewed me my everlasting standing in Christ’s person, grace, and righteousness; and gave me to see my security in his unchangeableness, under all the changes which passed over me. And then I began to rejoice in my dear Lord Jesus as always the same, even when my frames altered. Thus the Lord began to establish me, and settle my faith upon its proper basis. 

Mr. Hunt, my first pastor, was removed, and another minister succeeded him. The ministry of this servant of Christ was of use to me in some respects, though I did not fall in with his judgment in several points. But he not insisting much upon them at first, I was willing to content myself, and pass by what I did not like: but some time after this, not finding myself edified under his ministry, and my dissatisfaction increasing, I thought it my duty to acquaint him with it, and accordingly I did so, after having sought the Lord about it. I thought I should meet with opposition if I attempted it, and much indeed came on. But I saw such an excellency and preciousness in the truths I contended for, that I thought at that time I could not only bear the reproach I might meet with on this account, but even lay down my life in the defense of them, if the Lord had called me to it. Many were the trials, and great the supports I met with. A mighty spirit of prayer was upon me; the liberty of God’s bosom was afforded me in the day of distress; frequent were the answers I received from him; and great was the familiarity I had with him. I found the truth of what the prophet asserts by way of interrogation, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. Having received full satisfaction that it was the Lord’s mind, I should remove my communion from that church to which I was then related, to that over which Mr. Moore was pastor,<sup>[2]</sup I accordingly did it.

This providence of God in removing me from one church to another, I have great reason to bless his name for; as he made it an introduction to all that great glory which I have since beheld in Zion. Upon my being anew planted, the Lord watered me, I cast forth my roots as Lebanon, and my branches did spread. The Lord Jesus, my chief shepherd, led me by the ministry of his servant and under shepherd, Mr. Moore, into fat green pastures. The doctrines of the Gospel were clearly stated, and much insisted on in his ministry. The sanctuary-streams ran clearly, and the sun shone gloriously. I was abundantly satisfied with the fatness of God’s house; made to drink of the river of his pleasure, and, in his light, I saw light. 

The next providence I shall give some hints of, relates to the Lord’s removing my habitation from Northampton to London; which was occasioned by my entering into the marriage state when I was twenty-two years of age.^[3]

The privileges I enjoyed in Zion were very valuable in my esteem. And when the Lord was about my removal, I was afraid it might be attended with some loss; and that my small improvement of the favours I had enjoyed, might have provoked the Lord to take them away from me. But the Lord’s design in removing me, was the more abundant display of his great goodness, notwithstanding all my unworthiness. And upon my being fixed in London under the ministry of the late Mr. Skepp, I soon found the truth thereof. The waters of the sanctuary were indeed risen waters, which filled my soul with wonder and joy. I found the same doctrines of the gospel maintained and vindicated in the ministry of Mr. Skepp, as I was wont to hear under Mr. Moore, with abundance of life, and power.^[4]

Upon my removal to London, I had transient communion with the church under the care of Mr. Skepp: but my abode being fixed, it was thought proper, after a time, that my communion should be so too. Being dismissed from Northampton, I was received into full communion by this church; and my fellowship with them was sweet. The Lord dwelt in this Zion for me: he abundantly blessed her provision, and my poor soul was satisfied with bread: He clothed also her minister with salvation, and I, with her saints, did shout for joy; O the glory of God, that I saw in this house of his! In this garden of God I sat down under the shadow of my beloved with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste: yea, the enjoyment of the same did quicken my appetite, and set my soul a longing for that happy day, when I should feast upon his glory-fulness, as “the Tree of Life in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Reader, I now pause and inquire of thee—Hast thou, in reading thus far, at all entered into the truth of the blessed things treated of by this mother in Israel? Lest any should suspect her of at all underrating, much less despising, good spiritual frames, she goes on to state, “Though I did not take up my faith of interest principally from frames, yet I had abundant experience of the rich overflowings of God’s love upon my soul, and of the blessed fruits of it in my heart and life. The Holy Ghost opened to me such glorious views of all that vast grace whereinI stood, as gave me to see my everlasting standing in it, and to have frequent access into it. The doctrines of the everlasting Gospel were daily opened to me in their amazing glory: now one was opened to me, then another, and oftentimes many to explain one. Delightfully I viewed over the wonders of infinite grace displayed therein, and feasted of all as my own; as having an entire and eternal interest in the God of all grace, and all the glorious provisions of his grace for the salvation of sinners through Jesus Christ.

In vain do the enemies of the grace of God malign it with their old odious calumny, that “it leads to licentiousness.” So long as God has a people in the world, he will have witnesses to stand on the side of free grace, as it constrains to holiness. And among them I will cast in my mite, and bear my witness for God that the more his glorious grace in my salvation did appear to my soul, the more I was efficaciously taught “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”Titus 2:11-14.

Thus, as enabled, have I given some account of the Lord’s loving- kindness to my soul; of my manner of life from my childhood; of the work of divine grace upon my heart, in a saving conversion to Christ; and of my being brought to some establishment in Him. I would address myself now to the people of God in two degrees of experience:— First, to such saints as have a comfortable knowledge of the work of grace in their own souls, I would say with the Psalmist, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:3,4. You have heard something, dear saints, of the Lord’s loving-kindness to my soul: “Glorify God in me,” Gal 1:24.

Secondly, to such of God’s people as have not, as yet, a full persuasion of a special work of grace in their hearts. You also have heard what the Lord has done for me; and I know you are apt to listen how it has been with others, whom you judge are believers, and to compare your experience with theirs, in order to form a judgment, whether the work of God upon your own soul be indeed genuine and saving. But, dear hearts, be not too critical herein; for know this, that the experience of the saints in many particulars may vary, though in the general it agrees. Do not say, then, upon the reading of this narrative; “I have not been in all respects thus, and therefore I fear that I am not right.” Hast thou been convinced of the misery of thy natural estate, that thou wast in a perishing condition without Christ? Hast thou had a discovery of Christ’s beauty, excellency, and suitability to thee in all thy wants; so as to draw out thy soul into earnest desires after an interest in this precious Jesus? And under a deep sense of thy perishing condition, hast thou been encouraged by God’s free grace in Christ to cast thyself at his feet, in hope of finding mercy? Committing thyself into the arms of his grace and power for all life and salvation, with an holy venture, saying, “I will unto the king, and if I perish I perish?” “I see there is no other way of salvation; save me, if not I can but die; and if I perish it shall be at the foot of God’s free mercy in Christ.” Hast thou, I say, at any time experienced such resolutions wrought in thy soul? Thou art then exceeding safe, and thy state eternally secure; though thou mayest not have so much comfort in it, or satisfaction about it, as some of God’s children enjoy. What though thy Father may not have indulged thee with such love-feasts, such sensible mirth and rejoicing, as some of thy brethren, poor prodigals, have met with at their return; yet thou art ever with him, and all that he hath is thine! Thou hast Christ, and, in him hast all! Be content, then, that infinite wisdom should carve out thy time-portion of comfort. The Lord leads thee in a right way; a way that is best for thee now: thou shalt see it to be so, ere long. It is but a little while, and the sun shall rise upon thee, and no more go down, for night and darkness shall be swallowed up in eternal day! In the mean time go on, trusting thy soul in the hands of Christ, taking him at his word; counting him faithful that has promised; thus glorying of him in the dark, until taken up to be glorified with him in the enjoyment of thy inheritance in light.

But I would say something to poor sinners, and that of three sorts. 

1. To such as are openly profane, if any such may read these lines. Ah, poor souls, your condition is exceedingly miserable, and so much the more because you know it not. I have declared somewhat of that concern I was under about my eternal estate: what think you of yours? I ran not such lengths in sin as perhaps you have done; and yet I saw that I must perish for ever, if God’s free grace and mercy in Christ was not extended to my soul. How do you think to escape the wrath to come? It may be thou wilt say, I know that hell will be my portion if I live and die in my present case; but, after have had a little more pleasure in sin, I purpose to leave my sinful course, to amend my ways, and make my peace with God.” Ah, poor soul! but what if death should overtake thee suddenly, and hell swallow thee up in a moment? Poor soul! Thou art under the dominion of sin, and thy lusts are so many lords over thee. Satan, the prince of darkness, possesses thy heart as his throne. Thou art so far from groaning under thy bondage, that thou likest it, and yieldest thyself a willing slave to the drudgery of hell. It is a very great mistake for thee to think thou hast power to leave thy sins when thou wilt. Alas, poor soul, there is such a power in the kingdom of darkness in which thou art held, that no power in thyself, nor in any other creature, can rescue thee from it. Thou hast destroyed thyself by thine iniquity; and if thy help is not in the Lord, thou art undone for ever. Thou art sunk too low for any created arm to reach thee; and if the omnipotent arms in divine grace and mercy do not snatch thee from the powers of darkness, and pluck thee as a brand out of the Burning, thou wilt perish for ever in thy own deceivings. 

But supposing thou couldst reform, and amend thy ways: yet, “by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God,” Rom 3:20. And suppose thou couldst, from this time, even to thy dying moments, walk exactly as the holy law of God requireth, (which is an utter impossibility,) suppose it, I say, yet what wilt thou do with thy past sins? All thy future obedience is but thy duty, but none of that can pay a mite towards thy old debt. In vain then thou dost think to bring thy external reformation and legal repentance to stand before God, and make thy peace with him. Such is the flaming holiness and justice of his nature, as well as of his law, that he cannot endure the least sin, but will break forth, like devouring fire, upon every soul where sin is found. No; the work of making peace with a sin-avenging God, was too great for all the creatures, either in heaven or earth, to perform. 

There is full, free, and everlasting salvation, already wrought out by Jesus. This complete salvation is proclaimed in the glorious Gospel. The Holy Spirit of God is given to attend the ministry of the gospel; even of that ministry which exalts the free-grace of God alone, as the foundation of a sinner’s salvation; the righteousness of Christ alone, as the matter of his justification; the blood of Christ alone, as cleansing the sinner from all sin; and the Spirit of Christ alone, as the applier of this great salvation. Wait under the ordinances of divine appointment. I know thou canst not quicken thine own heart; but there is an almighty energy attends the Gospel: the all-creating power of God goes forth in “the words of this life,” to quicken dead sinners, and to make them stand upon their feet alive as an exceeding great army. Ez. 37:2-10. Be encouraged then to wait where God works; all things are possible with God; there is nothing too hard with Jehovah. 

2. A word or two to you, poor sinners, who are self-righteous. I have told you also somewhat of my experience; such as, that I had a religious education; and was kept from those gross evils which many ran into: I attended divine worship in public, and had some notional knowledge of the truths of the gospel. I thought myself to be fair for Heaven, and better than others; and yet, if infinite mercy had not prevented, I had gone to hell with a lie in my right hand. But when God came to shew me the infinite purity of his nature, and the spirituality of his law: I then soon found my own righteousness to be but as filthy rags.

The Spirit of the Lord blowed upon all my performances, and then, those which looked green and beautiful before, soon withered as the grass: my comeliness was turned in me into corruption: and a sight of God’s holiness made me cry out—Woe is me, I am undone, because of my uncleanness! 

And how dost thou, poor self-righteous creature, think to stand before this Holy Lord God? If thou trustest to thy performances, either moral or evangelical, as the matter of thy righteousness before God; I tell thee, the bed is shorter than a man can stretch himself upon it, and the covering narrower than he can wrap himself in it. All hope of safety from any of thine own performances, shall be cut off and thy trust therein shall be as the spider’s web, swept away as poisonous dust, by the bosom of destruction. Never think, then, to stand before God in the filth and rags of thy own righteousness; for, if thou dost, thou wilt surely be found naked; and with this additional weight which will increase thy condemnation, that, thou hast rejected the righteousness of Christ. They that are incensed against Him, shall be ashamed; they shall go into confusion together, that are makers of idols; that have set up the idol of their own righteousness, instead of submitting to the righteousness of God; but,Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; in Him shall they be justified and shall glory; they shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end.

3. A few words to such poor sinners, as are, in some measure, sensible of the misery of their natural state; have had some discoveries of Christ; and yet are afraid that he will not save them in particular. Dear souls, I have told you that this was once my case: I saw myself to be a chief sinner; and in my perishing condition I came to a throne of grace to find mercy; allured by some hopes that I might obtain, but also attended by innumerable fears that I should not. And yet, I obtained mercy; yea, I found Jesus to be as infinitely willing to save me, as he was able. Be encouraged therefore to come to the throne, to come to God, in and through Christ, where thousands have found mercy; yea, where never any soul was denied its suit. I know thy weakness and thy fears; and I also know the wrights which hang upon thee; thou art heavy-laden; all these greatly hinder the swiftness of thy motions towards Jesus. But, in the Lord’s own time, he will greatly strengthen thy weak faith, encourage thy hope, take off thy burdens, and give thee access with freedom to Jesus, and through him, by one Spirit, to the Father. 

Meanwhile come as thou canst; though with a trembling heart, attended with ten thousand fears, and under the guilt of innumerable transgressions. There is an infinite ability in Jesus to save. Yea, by one word of his mouth he can speak full salvation to thee in an instant enough to take up an eternity of time for thy enjoyment of it. Come then, with all thy wants, and prostrate thyself at his feet: there is enough in Christ to supply them all. Yea, there is infinitely more than enough! Were thy wants ten thousand times greater than they are, it is all one, when thou comest to this infinite ocean. The fullness of Christ is an immense, an inexhaustible ocean, that can never be drawn dry, or in the least wasted, by all the innumerable multitudes of needy sinners that have been, are now, and shall be supplied thence, to all eternity! O who can conceive, much less express, the unsearchable riches of Christ’s ability to save sinners! To know it fully, is beyond the reach of created understanding. And he is as willing as he is able.The infinite willingness of his heart, is as large as the almighty power of his arm! Poor sinner, thou canst not ask grace, more grace, than he has to give, or than he is willing to bestow. He delights to fill such needy, empty souls, as thou art. Now the bitter work of his death on the cross is over, dost thou think his heart is changed? No, as he died for thee on the cross, so he lives for thee on the throne. In denying thee it would be to deny himself: not only to deny thee the grace of his heart, but also it would be to deny (in denying thee) the very end and design of his death. What hinders thee then, from an immediate running into Christ’s bosom, since there is such room for thee in his heart? I dare say that nothing but thy unbelief hinders; and, blessed be God, even that shall not hinder thee always, neither. Would it be an unspeakable joy to thee, to get into Christ’s arms? Let me say, it would be much more so, to him. The day of his espousals with a poor sinner, is the day of the gladness of his heart!”^[5]

——————————-

[1] Dear Christian Reader! I charge thee to read the above remarks over and over again; yea, read them more than seven times; and may the Lord the Spirit, graciously condescend to open up to thy spiritual mind the vast importance (so far as real establishment of soul is concerned) of the distinction here pointed out, between resting on, living upon, and centering in Christ alone by faith; and, leaning on, and taking comfort from, uncertain “fleeting frames;” as Anne Dutton here, very justly terms them.

Most blessedly has my great favorite William Romaine, stated it; “Whatever the sinner seeks to rest in, the Spirit of Jesus detects the false foundation, till he leaves him no resource but to believe in the only begotten Son of God. So that when he comes to Jesus, he is stript of all, quite naked, and blind, moneyless, and friendless, and as empty of good as the Devil and sin could make him.This is all the fitness and preparation for Christ, which I know of. And when Christ is thus received, the same Spirit which would let the sinner bring nothing to Christ, will now make him bring all from Christ. He will teach the believer, daily, more of his poverty, weakness, unworthiness, vileness, ignorance, &c., that he may be kept humble, without any good but what he is forced to fetch out of the fulness of Jesus. And, when he would go any where else for comfort, such as to duties, frames, gifts, and graces, (for pride will live and thrive too, upon anything but Jesus)—the Spirit makes them dry and lean, and will not let him stop short of the fountain-head of all true comfort. In short, He will glorify nothing but Jesus. He will stain the pride of all greatness, and of all goodness, excepting what is derived from the fulness of the incarnate God.” Reader! form thine own conclusions; but for my part, blessed be God, my soul has long been at a point in these matters. Jesus saith of God the Holy Ghost,—“He shall glorify Me.” Amen! let Jesus be glorified, says J. A. Jones.

[2] I would, in a note, inform the reader, that Mr. John Moore, above alluded to, was born in 1662 at Kighly in Yorkshire. He was awakened and convinced at sixteen years of age: and continued nine years in great distress of soul. He became Pastor of the Baptist Church at Northampton in 1700. No doubt but he was the very blessed free-grace gospel preacher, which Mrs. Dutton has described him to be. I have in my possession, a small volume of his sermons printed in 1722, which I most highly value. It is rarely to be met with; and for richness of gospel truth it can scarcely be exceeded by any writer. Under this well-taught divine, Anne Dutton grew in grace; and increased in the knowledge of Him, whom to know is life eternal.

Mr. Moore died January 14, 1726, aged 64, His daughter became the wife of Mr John Brine, whose funeral sermon for her, with an account of her choice experience, is yet to be met with.

[3] She was married to Mr. Benjamin Dutton, who after living some time in London, removed to Evershall in Northamptonshire, and from thence in 1733 to Great Gransden in Huntingdonshire; being chosen Pastor of the Baptist Church in that place.The church increased much under Mr. Dutton’s ministry. They built a new meeting-house, and a minister’s house, in the year 1743. Mr. Dutton went to America in August in that year, for the purpose of soliciting assistance towards the cause at Gransden. His applications were successful, he obtained all the money he wanted; but, on coming home, having nearly reached the English coast, the ship was cast away, and Mr. Dutton was lost, to the inexpressible grief of his people; leaving his widow, then about forty years of age.

[4] Perhaps it will hardly be needful to inform the reader, that, Mr. John Skepp was a most excellent servant of Christ. He had been a member of the Church at Cambridge, under the ministry of the famous Mr. Joseph Hussey. He became Pastor of theBaptist Church meeting in Currier’sHall, Cripplegate, somewhere about the year 1715, perhaps before; and died in 1721. He wrote only one work; and which was not published till after his death.This was entitled,”Divine Energy: or the efficacious operations of the spirit of God upon the soul of man, in effectual calling and conversion.” It is a most blessed book. Dr. Gill wrote a recommendatory preface to the second edition, in 1751, saying, “The worthy author was personally and intimately known by me, and his memory is precious to me.” Mr. James Upton, much to his honour, put forth a third edition, well printed, with an excellently written preface, in 1815. This work ought to be constantly preserved in print, especially in the present day; for, according to Mr. Skepp’s own words, “A sad day it is, when men, to make themselves popular, take upon them to hector, and to run down the Spirit’s work in regeneration and conversion,” &c. Mr. Brine was Pastor of the Cripplegate Church from 1730 till 1765.

[5] I had not intended, in compiling this Memoir, to have inserted the above encouraging addresses. But I found them, on perusal, so truly sweet and blessed to my own soul, that I could not refrain from drawing out the essence for the reader’s profit; though the limit of pages forbad inserting the whole. May a signal divine blessing, accompany the same, to the several characters addressed.—Editor