Letter 120.
The sermon encourages listeners to seek Jesus Christ as their ultimate healer and savior, who provides compassion, faithfulness, and gentleness.
James Bourne, in his sermon to Mr. H. H. on March 22, 1837, passionately recommends a Friend who is the best Physician, capable of healing any ailment no matter how desperate. He shares his personal testimony of being in a dire condition but finding relief and wondrous healing through this Friend. Bourne urges his young friend to fully trust and venture on this incomparable Friend who provides comfort, care, and healing beyond measure, promising to never forsake those who come to Him with sincerity and wholeheartedness.
Text
[To Mr. H. H.] London, 22 March 1837.
My dear young Friend,
I have a Friend to recommend to your notice whom I have tried for many years. Your frail appearance leads me to hope that you will listen to my recommendation. He is the best Physician I ever met with; no complaint is hid from him, nor any too desperate for his skill. No poor mortal was ever in a more dangerous condition than myself, under sentence of death for the worst of crimes, and lost to all hopes of relief; yet even then this Friend appeared, and while I looked on, "he did wondrously." Can you be excited to listen? Can you believe the report? I assure you the half cannot be told of his skill and power, his bowels of compassion and tender care. I would say, "Venture on him, venture wholly." The oil and the wine which he will give will cheer and comfort your drooping spirits, and the ointment when poured forth will cause you to love him with all your heart. He will take care of you on your journey through life, and bind up that which is broken. Can I yet prevail on you to bring your complaints to him? He never leaves his patients nor forsakes them, though they have neither money nor price, but puts underneath them his everlasting arms, and supports them in their greatest pangs, and is gentle towards them, even as a nurse cherisheth her children; so that whatever they stand in need of, under all their calamities, HE is that.
I entreat you not to delay to present your case before him. Be assured, if you come with all your heart, you will not long lie unnoticed, but you will have some such kind word as this - "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Then tell him of all your sores, and you will find a complete cure; and you will be most glad to give the whole glory unto such an incomparable Friend.
From your sincere well-wisher, in the service of the best Physician, J. B.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to the Best Physician
- The Physician's Characteristics
- The Invitation to Seek the Physician
- Don't delay in presenting your case
- Come with all your heart and receive a complete cure
Key Quotes
“He did wondrously.” — James Bourne
“Venture on him, venture wholly.” — James Bourne
“He will take care of you on your journey through life, and bind up that which is broken.” — James Bourne
Application Points
- Seek Jesus Christ as your ultimate healer and savior.
- Come to Him with all your heart and present your case to Him.
- Trust in His compassion, faithfulness, and gentleness to receive a complete cure.