Sermons & Devotionals by James Bourne

[To the Rev. W. Maddy.] Fittleworth, 4 August 1840. My dear Friend, I am happy to find the Lord gives you a little more liberty; I thought you had got to a sad length - "bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face bound about with a napkin." I know of nothing like the spiritual liberty that... Read More

[To M. G.] Fittleworth, 7 August 1840. My dear Friend, I was most glad at receiving the account of your visit to Mrs. Oakley. I trust I caught a spark of that heavenly fire which warmed my best affections towards the Lord Jesus Christ for his love to the chief of sinners. I must confess I felt mysel... Read More

[To Mr. J H.] Fittleworth, 8 August 1840. Dear Friend, I thank you much for your very friendly letter, as well as for your very kind invitation. I often think of the distracted state of your little church, and wonder some of you are not anxious to bring matters to an issue. All things are possible w... Read More

Fittleworth, 8 August 1840. Dear W. B. I must write to inform you that I feel the importance of a true work of grace upon the heart to be such, that it becomes us all to be faithful to the uttermost, that there may be no mistake at last. I have been, and still am, so interested on your behalf, that ... Read More

[To Mrs. Tims Fittleworth, 8 August 1840. My dear Friend, We are told to bear no burdens on the Sabbath day, but in this I fail; I am generally burdened with many things, and am so today; yet I think the Lord has not given me over unto death, and am anxiously watching to see whether he will be as go... Read More

[To Mrs. Tims.] Fittleworth, 10 August 1840, My dear Friend, I wrote to you the other day upon the subject of godly fear. I must now write something more upon its most sweet effects; and my desire is that you and the friends may gain in the account what I have found, for it will be greater riches th... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Fittleworth, 11 August 1840. My dear Friend, I was truly glad to receive your letter, and have been exceedingly surprised how the Lord has led me in respect of it, as well as the whole of my late exercises. I was much impressed with these words - "The ways of a man are before the eyes... Read More

[To Mrs. T.] Fittleworth, 22 August 1840. My dear Cousin, I am called to many and peculiar exercises here, and am surrounded with people that will neither hear nor show reason. I am for peace, but they are for war. I was exactly situated in the same way about ten years ago, only a few miles from thi... Read More

[To Mrs, Tims.] London, 31 August 1840. My dear Friend, I cannot refrain from sending you a few lines upon the blessed subject of waiting upon the Lord. I am seldom without some burden too heavy for me to bear; whether at home or abroad, the cross follows me still; and I am made to acknowledge the n... Read More

[To E. L.] London, 17 Sep ember 1840. My dear Friend, I was glad to see your letter, and to find you are better in health. What you say respecting the Lord searching the heart, and trying the reins, I have well understood by painful experience; and I have no doubt you would find vanity written on al... Read More

[To Mr. Gadsby, Minister of the Gospel, Manchester.] London, 1807. Dear Sir, I fear you will begin to think, and that not without cause, that I have entirely forgotten you; but I have only been at home one week, and I found much to be done after so long an absence. I feel a great backwardness to wri... Read More

[To M. B.] July 25, 1825. Dear Cousin, I feel quite sorry for -- , yet when I consider the mighty power of God that must be displayed in the behalf of every sinner that is saved, I know that he can make every mountain a plain, and remove every obstacle. When he will work, NONE SHALL LET. Pray tell h... Read More

London, 28 September 1840. Dear W. B., There is nothing more odious than a profession of religion that brings nothing in. I am therefore anxious that every step of your way may be tried, so that the Lord shall bear his testimony to the truth and soundness of it. One point most of us, and you amongst... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Middleton Park, 1827. Dear Friend, I feel much disposed to give you some account of myself; but when I was most willing, time and power were both wanting. I never leave home on such an occasion without much anxiety, knowing the manifold snares and difficulties which are sure to befal ... Read More

[To M. B ] Paper Harrow, Aug. 6, 1826. Dear Cousin, It is true I was low and gloomy when I was at your house, yet I felt a cleaving to the Lord, and a measure of hope that he would be with me; and after supper, in returning thanks, I was most sweetly comforted with his presence, with a great sense o... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Sezincot, Oct. 1827. Dear Friend, I am never happy at the thought of leaving town without some token for good. While with my family on Sunday, after chapel, the Lord was pleased to draw near with all the assurances of mercy and friendship that could be conceived. The more I debased my... Read More

[To M. B.] Sezincot, 1827. Dear Cousin, I was very sorry on one account to hear so poor an account of yourself; yet when I see what the world is after, and the exceeding shortness and uncertainty of all things, I seem more desirous of ending my days in peace - yes, much more desirous of ending well,... Read More

[To M. B.] London, July, 1828. Dear Cousin, What you say in your letter respecting the spending of your first Sunday, I quite agree with. Unless there is an entire seeking of God and giving yourself up to that service, when thus separated from the public means, I know there will be nothing but death... Read More

[To M. B.] Aylesbury, July 1828. Dear Cousin, I see great beauty in the constant exercise of prayer - " CONTINUING INSTANT IN PRAYER." perceive its prevalency, and that God does indeed hear us when we cry earnestly at the approach of an enemy. Communion with God is a check against levity, and a maul... Read More

[To M. B.] Wiston Park, July 1828. Dear Cousin, I am with much pleasure able to inform you that I do not seek the face of God in vain. I have been in the deepest distress, but kept constantly crying to God; and though at times I find his gracious presence, at other times I tremble from head to foot ... Read More