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  LETTER 37
  by James Bourne
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Summary: James Bourne reflects on personal struggles and the importance
of faith and God's mercy in guiding one's life towards eternal
salvation.

Topics: "Faith And Doubt", "Eternal Salvation"
Scripture References: Psalm 27:13, Psalm 42:5, Proverbs 3:5, John 14:6, Hebrews 11:5

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DESCRIPTION
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James Bourne, in a letter to his cousin, reflects on his struggles and
doubts, feeling confined in Doubting Castle and distant from God.
Despite his ingratitude, he acknowledges God's marvellous helps and
deliverances, leading to a sweeter sense of mercy from the Lord Jesus.
Bourne emphasizes the importance of walking in faith, even when feeling
forgotten, and encourages his cousin and children to follow the steps
that lead to eternal life, contrasting the worldly ways with the safe
path to salvation.

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CONTENT
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[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 not choose; it was by faith Enoch
walked with God, and I must walk in the same steps, if I walk safely or
wisely. But alas! I seem to have got into Bye-path meadow, and there is
no way out; to be fast confined in Doubting Castle, and unable to move
hand or foot. I look back on many marvellous helps and deliverances, but
they seem to add to my sorrow. I can only think of my ingratitude, which
has caused the Lord to hide himself behind such an impenetrable cloud. I
am not indifferent, but my labour seems only in the flesh.

When I left Derby I had no small difficulty, but was very anxious not to
leave without some token of God's goodness and gracious care, and he was
pleased greatly to comfort me; but when I came here, all was gone, and
there seemed no possibility of finding him whom my soul loveth. I seemed
quite forgotten; but since I wrote the above, while making my
lamentations known unto him, and condemning myself every way, the Lord
Jesus was pleased to appear, and break my heart with a sweeter sense of
his mercy, than I had found this summer before.

How wisely does he all things! How low his goodness and mercy makes us!
How we feel ourselves nothing, like a moth, and yet saved in Christ
Jesus with an everlasting salvation! May this be an encouragement to
you, and as a counsel to my children to walk in those steps that lead to
eternal life. My day is over - theirs will soon be so too. The giddy
multitude, old and young, are now passing my window (though Sunday) to a
neighbouring wakes; discriminating grace has changed my heart, and makes
me see death and destruction the end of their ways; and the way in which
he leads me, the safe way to eternal life. O Lord, be pleased to teach
my children this way, and show them thy salvation.

With kindest love to all,

Yours &c. J. B.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/james-bourne/letter-37/
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