Sermons & Devotionals by James Bourne

London, January 1838. Dear Sukey Harley, What an inexpressible mercy it would be for your husband to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in his old age. I know that old age brings on many infirmities; death naturally draws nigh; youth will hope for long life, but old age cannot; and with me... Read More

London, January 1838. Dear Mrs. Oakley, I have no doubt you find many difficulties in your way. I have a family of seven children constantly at home, and neither wisdom nor prudence (naturally) to manage them, but I perceive the Lord is all-sufficient, and often clears my way in answer to prayer. I ... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G.] London, 18 January 1838. My dear Friend, I have been greatly comforted and encouraged by your letter, and do sincerely sympathize with you in all your tribulations, knowing that without them you cannot be a pastor after God's own heart. How sad a thing it is to have a religion th... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G.] London, 14 February 1833. My dear Friend, I often feel myself laden with your spiritual cares, and more incapacitated in my feelings to render you any essential service than I can express. I perceive that we are called to war, that the enemy is powerful, and that there is no disc... Read More

[To M. B ] London, 1810. Dear Cousin, I believe the way to be so narrow, that millions that think they are in it will never pass through; and many in our own family are among that number, unless grace prevent the sad mistake. I hope to abide in this narrow spirit with my latest breath. The general p... Read More

London, February 1838. Dear Mrs. K., I was glad to hear from you, and if the Lord shall enable me, I will endeavour to tell you what I think of myself when exercised as you describe. First, the darkness you complain of does not so trouble you as to keep you from sloth, therefore it is not a very hea... Read More

London, 13 April 1838. Dear Mrs. K., I am truly glad to find the Lord has been pleased to rouse you out of your lethargy, and has not suffered you "to sleep the sleep of death." The arbour of this world is an enchanted place, and if you sleep there you will lose your evidences for your better inheri... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G ] London, 18 April 1838. My dear Friend, It is said of Asher, "Let Asher be blessed with children, let him be acceptable to his brethren;" and then in order thereto it is added, "let him dip his foot in oil." I have been greatly comforted with these words, perceiving in them the ne... Read More

[To Mrs. T., formerly M. B.] Pulverbach, 8 July 1838. My dear Cousin, I had a pleasant refreshing journey, and found all things very comfortable. I have seen Sukey Harley, and hope to spend this day at her cottage in expounding the word, and have been seeking the Lord that he would be with us and bl... Read More

[To Mrs. Jones.] Pulverbach, 14 July 1838. My dear Friend, The Lord does nothing in vain, nor does he ever make any mistakes. You once told me there was a "need be" for these trials [1 Peter i. 6], but did you find out that need as it respects your long confinement? Have you not seen some-thing of i... Read More

Pulverbach, 24 July 1838. Dear Mrs. Jones, Your letter has been a source of comfort and satisfaction to me, as I felt assured there was a need for that heaviness you laboured under. Your mercy has been to have an ear to hear the admonition of the Lord, and that notwithstanding your backsliding heart... Read More

[To J. B.] Pulverbach, July 1838. My dear young Friend, It is a great thing to be made a sensible sinner, and to know for what the sentence of death has passed upon us; and that nothing but a revelation of Jesus Christ to our souls in all his saving benefits can remove this sentence. But do we think... Read More

[To Mrs. Oakley.] Pulverbach, August 1838. My dear Friend, When I saw you on your sick bed, I was pleased to hear you say that your affliction had driven you to Christ for salvation. When I saw you after you were in a measure recovered, your language was changed. I think you said something of this s... Read More

[To Mr. Yeomans.] Pulverbach, 5 August 1838. My dear Friend, I know no greater mercy than that the Lord should speak to us by his word, and unseal it so that it may be written upon our hearts, testifying of God's love to us in Christ Jesus. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profi... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Pulverbach, 12 August 1838. My dear Friend, I can join full well in what you said respecting your feelings when Mr. G. left you. It was but Friday night I was very restless, and seemed brought to the bar of God. The fear of death and judgment took hold upon me, and my sins all seemed ... Read More

[To M. B.] 7 Somerset Street, London, Jan. 1820. Dear Cousin, If God is pleased to make you sick of your evil ways in every sense, and of your evil nature too, you will so sicken and die to the world, that neither the kindness of friends, nor the hypocrisy of false professors, will be able to keep y... Read More

[To Mr. Harvey.] Pulverbach; 14 August 1838. My dear Friend, It grieves me to hear you are so unwell. I have many times in my sicknesses been ready to give up all my worldly concerns, and think myself past all service to anybody. I know that the enemy would have it so, if possible, to make me a repr... Read More

[To Mrs. T.] Pulverbach, 25 August 1838. Dear Cousin, O what a day this has been! First, fears and dismay; then, some distant intimations of God's sweet favour in conversation with some of the people here; then some attacks from another quarter, and a letter bringing iniquity to light, and many caus... Read More

[To Mr, Yeomans.] Pulverbach, 2 September 1833. What, my dear Friend, can be compared with communion with God through Christ, and the sweet teaching of the Spirit, that Holy Anointing which shall teach us all things? We know that this "is truth, and is no lie." All these waters of life come from the... Read More

[To part of his family.] Pulverbach, 2 September 1838. I have this day had a sweet token of God's approbation and presence, in being so divinely supported and comforted in taking leave of my poor little set of people here. The Lord has been with me through a host of difficulties. I dared not leave t... Read More