Sermons & Devotionals by James Bourne

[To M. B.] Tunbridge, August 1832. My dear Cousin, I was exceedingly glad to see your letter, which has drawn out many petitions for you; and I sincerely hope that your present complicated afflictions of mind and body may be sanctified to you, so as to produce a more stedfast and lively walk with Go... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn ] Tunbridge, 26 August 1832. Dear Friend, It is with the greatest sincerity I acknowledge your kindness in writing from time to time, as I find your letters are a continual source of meditation and spiritual life to my soul, and keep alive and fresh that unity of the Spirit with the chu... Read More

[To Mrs. J.] Tunbridge, September 1832. Dear Friend, I cannot help sending you a few lines, nor must you be alarmed if I begin by bearing testimony against the whole tenor of your letter. I think I have full proof; I have known you for some years, and when first you were among us, you, like the rest... Read More

[To the Rev. C. J., concerning his friend Mr. Maddy.] October 1832. My dear Sir, I have for this last year been frequently going to Greenwich Hospital, and could not but remark how often a lame pensioner was coupled with a blind one; and so I cannot but call to mind how in my early days, before I ha... Read More

[To Mr. H. B.] - Brighton, 1808. Dear Sir, I was very glad to see your letter, it was a word in season; and it really rejoiced my heart to hear that you find a greater earnestness with God. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." We both have felt this. You saw by ... Read More

[To a young Friend.] London, April 18, 1833. My dear young Friend, I must acknowledge "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, for before I was afflicted I went astray."I was very intender in my early profession, and therefore am anxious to warn the young of the rocks on which I struck. If you... Read More

[To Mr. Yeomans,] London, Sept. 28, 1833. Dear Friend, It is a matter of deep humiliation to me when I hear that one so sapless and dry has been profitable to any. It makes me look with shame on many foolish, vain, and unprofitable hours that I have spent, even since I have known the Lord. Herein I ... Read More

[To a Friend.] London, November 18, 1833. Dear Friend, I have been for a long time exceedingly cast down and trembling in spirit lest the judgments of God, as recorded in his word, should overtake me and mine. Everything seemed to appear against me, and I became "like the sparrow alone upon the hous... Read More

[To Mrs. Burrell.] London, March 25, 1834. Dear Friend, I have often grieved at the cause of the darkness which covers my friend, which is sin; and have wondered why the Lord should suffer me to be so continually involved in that misery. I now begin to think one cause is that we may warn and caution... Read More

[To M. A. H.] London, May 30, 1834. Dear Friend, I, with you, am subject to many changes, and I must confess that in the exercises which these changes bring, is the life of my spirit. About a year ago I was under many apprehensions that the Lord would return no more. I was in that "horror of great d... Read More

[To M. A. H.] London, 1834. Dear Friend, I am sorry to hear such sad accounts of your health, but I go about and perceive that affliction is the lot of all God's people; and as you have prayed to be manifestly His, this is the universal means of being made so. I am just returned from Mrs. 0., and fi... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G.] London, June 7, 1834. Dear Sir, Half an hour ago I had little thought of writing to you so soon, but hearing of your present trial excites me to pray that as you partake of the affliction of the children of God, so you may also of the consolation. I believe you have been led in g... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G.] London, June 19, 1834. Dear Sir, I have often thought of you in your present difficulties, and only hope the Lord is on your side by the deep exercises you labour under, and the deep sense you have in them of God's visiting your sin, and by his stirring up adversaries to bring yo... Read More

[To the Rev. B. G.] London, June 22, 1834. My dear Friend, I would first consider the letter you have received, which appears to have been written with much kindness. If I were to answer it I would not advert to the outward circumstances, but if possible, with the utmost godly simplicity, declare th... Read More

[To Mr H. B.] - London, 1808. Dear Sir, For three weeks after I wrote to you last, I enjoyed much of God's presence -"the candle of the Lord" shone bright upon my head and "his visitation preserved my spirit;" and I often thought this was fitting me for some serious affliction, and that I should soo... Read More

[To the Rev. W. Maddy.] Bushey, Herts, July 1834. Dear Friend, I exceedingly lament the time and manner of your captivity; yet I cannot understand how it is you can both see and hate that which lies hard upon you, unless it be the Spirit humbling you by slow degrees to bring you to the knowledge of ... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Bushey, July 1834, Dear Friend, I am very glad to hear that there is hope you may yet be spared to us a little longer. It has been deeply impressed on my mind, and may it be yet more deeply impressed on yours, to remember the sore conflicts we have had, and the vanity we have been mad... Read More

[To Mr. Nunn.] Maidstone, August 1834. My dear Friend, I was very glad to see a letter from you, written in your own hand, and especially for the contents, which encourage me still to press on, though greatly cast down, fearing that there is not in me that real honesty that I find in others, and tha... Read More

[To a Friend.] Holmwood, September 1834. My dear Friend, Of all states of men in this life there is none like that of a professor of religion, who is destitute of the vital power. The prophet Ezekiel gives a fearful account of such, written in a book full of "lamentation, mourning, and woe." He call... Read More

[To a Friend ] Chelmsford, Sept. 1834. Dear Friend, I cannot tell you with what awe I ponder over your case, and see in it the reality of God's word. O how my foolish heart flattered itself for many years that peace, peace, was all that I should know! I stopped my ears and blinded my eyes to God's d... Read More