Sermons & Devotionals by James Bourne

[To Mr. Nunn ] Wiston Park, July 1828. My dear Friend, The various exercises I have been under render it very difficult for me to send you an especial account, yet I cannot help endeavouring for your encouragement to tell you something of them. I have laboured under many grievous and sore conflicts;... Read More

[To M. B.] Wiston Park, July 1828. Dear Cousin, Since I wrote last I have again been greatly exercised, insomuch as almost to lose my sleep - being quite broken-hearted, and despairing of the help of God, although I have lately experienced so much of his goodness. I feel greatly ashamed to write it,... Read More

[To his Sister E.] - December 1807. Dear Sister, I promised to give you an account of my visit to Manchester, but I must defer it till I see you. When the mind is dark and the soul barren, it is hard work to spin out anything that will be profitable; but as I desire the glory of God when I write, so... Read More

[To M. B.] Batsford, Aug, 12, 1828. Dear Cousin, I had some comfortable tokens for good the night before I left home, and found I was at peace with God; nor was I without them on my journey, though oftentimes exceedingly mournful, bowed down under a daily cross. My happiness is that these things do ... Read More

[To M. B.] Worthing, Aug. 31, 1828. Dear Cousin, I have finished my fortnight's employment at __ , with the severest conflict I have known for many years, and the sweetest assurance of God's tenderness and care. It has been exceedingly painful to flesh and blood, but very establishing to my soul. On... Read More

[To M. B.] Sezincot, 1828. Dear Cousin, In my visit here I see something of that awful place of danger out of which God took me when living in the spirit of this world. God is not in all their thoughts; another world is never hinted at, nor hoped for. I cannot express to you how I feel, first, the e... Read More

[To Mrs. Bourne.] Sezincot, Nov. 2, 1828. My dear Wife, . . . Of late I have much meditated on my summer's affliction, and I think I find much sober-mindedness and steadiness in the reflection. I am not in the same piercing trouble as then, and therefore have not the same conspicuous deliverances. M... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Tunbridge Wells, 16 August 1829. Dear Friend, Although I hear but little of you, my mind is much occupied about you all. I shall not therefore wait for any letter, but send you some little account how I go on. I am through mercy much better in health, and free from pain; my eye is a l... Read More

[To M. B.] Derby, 29 August 1829. Dear Cousin, I left your party reluctantly, but I saw the providence of God open another way; and I hope ever to be found above all things watching the Lord's leading. "Who shall harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?" I was very low at the thoughts of... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Derby, 6 September 1829. Dear Friend, I know nothing more endearing than those secret intimations of the Spirit's returning into a sinner's heart, after a long and laborious seeking him. O what humbling sensations it produces! How low we lie at the footstool of Christ, and adore him f... Read More

[To M. B.] Alderwasley, Sept. 13, 1829. Dear Cousin, I hope your next account will be better, your health mended, and your mind more settled. I have had hard work, and sometimes have thought I should never more see a friend in this world. I would not willingly go so far from home again, but I must n... Read More

[To a Friend.] Sezincot, Oct. 11, 1829. Dear Friend, I was very unfit for my journey when I left home, but, thank God, my health is no worse, though my cold mends very slowly. But I find a cold in the heart once caught is both more lingering and worse to bear than the other. It seems to disarm me of... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Godalming, July 1830. My dear Friend, I am often meditating on the various cases in our church, and sometimes foolishly measuring myself by them - ready to conclude, that because I have not those bright and solid evidences which our friend Mr. Draper picks up in the furnace of afflict... Read More

[To a Friend] - 1808. Dear Sir, As it respects The Barber, I can speak with confidence It was the first book that ever was attended with light, as well as power, to show me the desperate condition I was in. I had been, convicted, and I believe it was the Spirit of God that convict me; yet I had not ... Read More

[To M. B.] Purfleet, Sept. 12, 1830. Dear Cousin, I am the subject of many changes. I do not remember the time when I had such a sweet journey as in coming here. It brings to my mind the pleasant week I spent at Greenhithe, the many tokens of God's favour towards me, and the peace of mind that kept ... Read More

[To a Friend.] London, May 1831. My dear Friend, Mr. Burrell, in consequence of the conduct of __ , took his text as follows - "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" [John xiii. 35]. He began by saying that it was in consequence of one in the church who... Read More

[To a Friend.] 1831. Dear Friend, I cannot help writing to tell you, that though am surrounded with difficulties, yet I would not have my path other than just what it is; only that my unbelief might for ever depart. In reading that ever to be remembered chapter, Gen. xxviii., I have had such a sweet... Read More

[To his Daughters H. P. and H. &c.] Brighton, 31 October 1831. My dear Children, I write this to you, and to Mrs. J. and cousin M. I am under various exercises here; often so cast down as to wonder whereto it will grow, and now and then so comforted and supported as to believe the Lord is doing noth... Read More

[To a Lady of rank.] London, 20 May 1832. Madam, I am quite at a loss to express my feelings for your repeated kindness to my family. I am happy to say my eldest daughter is much more satisfied in her mind, and shows the safety of a slow progressive work, whilst I have often seen that Scripture veri... Read More

[To M. B.] Tunbridge, July 29, 1832. Dear Cousin, You are often upon my mind, especially concerning those matters you have often spoken to me of. I am now residing with a very numerous family, and have wondered to see that whatever occurs to the children, they are perpetually running to their parent... Read More