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  LETTER 142.
  by James Bourne
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Summary: 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.

Topics: "Holy Spirit", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Hebrews 9:14

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DESCRIPTION
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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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CONTENT
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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.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/james-bourne/letter-142/
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