Letter 142.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of continual confession and humiliation, and the need for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to be fruitful and acceptable to God and others.
James Bourne preaches about the importance of continual confession, humility, and the application of the blood of Jesus by the Holy Spirit to cleanse our consciences. He emphasizes the need for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to heal new wounds of guilt and to remain fruitful in our spiritual walk. Bourne highlights the significance of God's visitations, which bring refreshment, acceptance among brethren, and confidence in the Lord's strength, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of God's grace and power in our lives.
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[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 necessity of continual confession and humiliation, attended with the application of the blood of sprinkling by the Holy Ghost to my wounded conscience. I perceive I am continually contracting fresh guilt in my walk, and an old experience will not heal these fresh wounds; hence the necessity of my dipping my foot in oil, as denoting a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without this I shall be fruitless, and without children; but these fresh visitations not only refresh and preserve my spirit, but make me acceptable to my brethren. Besides this, they give firmness to my steps; a holy confidence in the strength of the Lord, which is "made perfect in weakness." Thus "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," it is said "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass;" but all this I continually find is proved in the furnace, and if the work were not of God, I should not be able to abide there. But it is added, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." [Deut. xxxiii. 24, 25.]
These spiritual communications always fill my soul with holy awe. It is a great thing for God to visit a poor sinner, and for such an one to know that God speaks upon his heart. What manner of men ought we to be on this holy ground!
Yours &c. J. B.
Sermon Outline
- The Necessity of Continual Confession and Humiliation
- The Benefits of Fresh Visitations
- The Firmness and Confidence Brought by God
- Contracting fresh guilt in our walk
- The need for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit
- Refreshing and preserving our spirit
- Making us acceptable to our brethren
- A holy confidence in the strength of the Lord
- A holy awe in the presence of God
Key Quotes
“It is a great thing for God to visit a poor sinner, and for such an one to know that God speaks upon his heart.” — James Bourne
“As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” — James Bourne
Application Points
- We must continually confess and humble ourselves before God to receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.
- Fresh visitations from God are necessary to refresh and preserve our spirit and make us acceptable to our brethren.
- We should strive to maintain a holy awe in the presence of God, recognizing His power and presence in our lives.