Excerpts below pertaining to Peter Jaco (1729-81) and his preaching at the Methodist Meeting in Liverpool in 1757 are taken from the Autograph Diary of John Newton, 1756 September 23-1772 December 31, MA 731, Literary and Historical Manuscripts, The Morgan Library, New York City, New York.  What is evident is that Newton perceived Jaco to be a very effective and fervent preacher who in his two breakfast meetings with Jaco gleaned from his conversation that God had “carryd him thro a vey difficult tryal & enabled [him] to forsake father & mother for the sake of the gospel” (p. 100). 

On Sunday, 16 October 1757, he writers that “he heard one Jaco” at the Methodist meeting “preach a very good discourse from Ps 3 . . . setting forth the fountain, nature, & subjects of Gospel salvation” (p. 99).

On Monday 17th, he says that he “rose early and heard Mr Jaco on Matt 3 v 4 he & Milren [another of the Methodist preachers visiting at that time in Liverpool] breakfasted wth me was a pleasant opportunity. Had no leisure for study the intervals of business being taken up with converse . . . Eveng heard Mr Jaco again a warm discourse from Gen: 19 v 17. In ye Even. a usual infirmity prevaild, a little fancyd coldness or something too trifling to mention, got hold of my thoughts & workd me up till I [lost] all the little warmth I had recd in ye preaching” (p. 100).

On Tuesday the 18th, he writes that he “Rose early heard Mr Jaco from Luke 22. 31, 32 he spoke 1st of the persons whom Satan desired to sift, not the profane sensual & careless but those whom he believes in earnest in their seeking God 2nd the causes why he desires it. 1 That if possible he may ruin overturn them & draw them wholly to himself, if not 2 at least to cause them to stumble & bring a blot up on their profession 3 that by their temptations he may discourage others from setting out in a way seemingly so difficult & dangerous & 4th that if he cannot wholly destroy the believers hope, he may make his life as troublesome as he can 3dly of the benefit efficacy & necessity of our Lords intercession 4th the duty of those who have been seduc’d & sifted but are now thro grace restor’d. Selah took leave of me this morning intending for Yorkshire. God has carryd him thro a vey difficult tryal & enabled [him] to forsake father & mother for the sake of the gospel” (p. 100).  He writes that he took a short journey himself later that day and “preach’d to myself the above discourse wth additions etc; for my own use. The Lord make it useful to me” (p. 100).

On the evening of Saturday, 24 December 1757, he hears Jaco once again at the Methodist meeting-house preach “from Luke 6 v 19. a good discourse in which he set forth the glory & grace of Christ, & the necessity & efficacy of faith, but I heard as tho I heard not. Yet surely I desire to touch him, & have already experienced happy effects from his touch. I know that he communicates virtue from his fulness, to all who are in union with him. Lord give me more of this” (p. 115).

On Sunday, Christmas day, 1757, Newton writes that he “was up but just in time to hear Mr Jaco. He preach’d from Luke 2 v 10, 11. This has been a very indifferent day, was up on the tide both forenoon & afternoon, & neither weather nor company agreeable. In ye Even heard Mr Jaco from Isa 9 v 6, a useful paraphrase upon the words, enlarging on the titles offises [sic] & promises of our dear Lord, & the need we stood in of such a saviour. Much sin & vanity I have to repent of for this day” (p. 115).

On Monday, 26 December, he writes: “In  ye morning heard Mr Jaco from 1 Pet 2 v 7,” after which Newton “brought him home to breakfast, had pleasant conference . . .” (p. 115)