PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 1 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 313,334 words · 642 reading sections
44 Genesis, Iii. 21—24. [8.
indications of his heavy displeasure. The flattering hope of " becoming as Gods," had led Adam and his wife to trans- gress the divine command. Now therefore God casts it, as it were, in their teeth, with holy indignation, in order that they might see what they had gained by their folly and presumption. And wherea…
452 wordsSECTION 62$1 Salvation Illustrated To Our First Parents. 45
From this subject we may learn, 1. The antiquity of the Gospel — [Whenever Salvation by the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus is insisted on, it is exclaimed against as a new doctrine: but it is none other than " the good old wayk," which has been pointed out by our Reformers, by the Apo- stles, by the Pr…
419 wordsSECTION 63The Death Of Abel.
Gen. iv. 8 — 10. And Cain talked ivith Abel his brother : and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slezv him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brothers keeper? And He said, What hast thou done ? The voic…
365 wordsSECTION 649.1 The Death Of Abel. 47
brother Abel. " He talked with Abel his brother." What the subject of the conversation was, it would be foolish to conjecture : but that it was of a friendly nature, there can be no doubt. It was evidently with a design to allure him into a place of solitude, where he might effect his murderous pur- pose without d…
483 wordsSECTION 6548 Genesis, Iv. 8—10. [9.
expostulate with him on the unreasonableness of his beha- viour6. "The spirit that dwelt in him lusted to envyf:" this malignant passion " was as rottenness in his bones g," so thoroughly had it corroded his very inmost soul. The excel- lence of Abel's character served only to add fuel to the name. His virtues wer…
398 wordsSECTION 669. J The Death Of Abel. 49
What could he imagine, when he thus flatly denied any know- ledge of his brother? Did he suppose that he could deceive his God? Had he forgotten, that omniscience was an attri- bute essential to the Deity ? Yes : such is the atheism which sin produces : he said in his heart, " Tush, God hath not seen : Can he see …
479 wordsSECTION 6750 Genesis, Iv. 8—10. [9.
It is the effect of sin to scar the conscience, and to harden the heart : and the more heinous our transgressions are, the more shall we be disposed to criminate the authority that calls us into judgment lor them. Even in hell itself this disposition is exercised, yea, it rages with uncontrolled and incessant fury …
458 wordsSECTION 6810,] Institution Of Public Worship. .01
friendly intercourse on account of the contracted state of so- ciety in the world : yet not even these could enjoy spiritual communion with each other. It is true, that all natural men do not give themselves up, like Cain, to the dominion of their lusts : but it is equally true, that all men have in their hearts t…
391 wordsSECTION 6952 Genesis, Iv. 26. [10.
Gen. iv. 26. Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. OF the various institutions of religion, some were clearly founded on an express appointment from e2 God himself; others appear to have arisen, in the first instance, from the suggestions of holy men, and to have been afterwards authorized and establi…
383 wordsSECTION 7010.1 Institution Of Public Worship. 53
From these and other abominations arose an impe- rious necessity for the godly to separate themselves from the ungodly, and to maintain by an open and more visible profession the honour of God in the world. This they did : and in so doing they have taught us, 1. To separate ourselves from the ungodly — [There is…
450 wordsSECTION 7154 Genesis, Iv. 26. [10.
command given to them to " be faithful unto death," is equally to be regarded by us : for the same conduct will be observed by the Judge towards men of every age and nation ; " he will confess those before his Father who have confessed him in the world," and " deny before his Father those who have denied," or been…
399 wordsSECTION 7210.] Institution Of Public Worship. 56
continued to live in an avowed contempt of his ordinances : No : " he loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwell- ings of Jacob0."] 2. They are the means of perfecting his work in his people's hearts — [God has told us that this was a very principal end for his ordaining men to preach the Gospel p ; but it …
427 wordsSECTION 73Xi.
you are " walking in the broad road," think whither it leads: and begin to serve your God in this world, that you may be honoured by him in the world to come1.] 1 John xii. 26. Enoch's walking with god. Gen. v. 24. And Enoch ivalked with God : and he was not ; for God took him. THE cares of a family are by no me…
739 wordsSECTION 7458 Genesis, V. 24. [H.
It is in this way that we also are to walk with God : we foretelling the very manner of the future judgment (ver. 14, 15.) : for if he prophesied of Christ's second coming, doubtless he was not ignorant of his first advent. f Amos hi. 3. s Matt. vii. 7, 8. h James iv. 8. Eph. hi. 12. Heb. x. 19. 5 John xv. 7. k R…
788 wordsSECTION 7560 Genesis, Vi. 3. [12.
It need not, however, be any matter of regret to us, that we are not to expect this reward; since, on our dismission from the body, we shall instantly be in Paradise ; and at the day of resurrection, we shall have our bodies raised to a participation of our bliss.] 3. Made him a most distinguished monument to the…
540 wordsSECTION 7612.1 Strivings Of The Spirit. (>1
Gen. vi. 3. And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man. MAN, at first, was created in the image of his God: but when he fell, he begat children in his own fallen image. His very first-born became a murderer. Some of his posterity, however, were pious : but they, not being careful to connect the…
412 wordsSECTION 77G2 Genesis, Vi. 3. [12.
time, if by any means we may be induced to repent and turn unto him. Let any one only look back upon his past life ; and he shall find that there have been some periods when he has felt a conviction upon his mind that it was his duty, and would be his happiness, to seek after God, and obtain, whilst yet he might, …
467 wordsSECTION 7812.] Strivings Of The Spirit. 63
II. What is the state of a soul thus abandoned by the Lord. Truly its condition is most pitiable. God has said, "Woe unto them, when I depart from them1:" and verily it will be a woeful day for any one of us, if God should ever abandon us to ourselves ! for the deserted soul is from that moment given up, yes, an…
437 wordsSECTION 7964 Genesis, Vi. 3. [12.
the Holy Spirit to depart from them. If men " will despise and reject all the counsel of the Lord, they will assuredly be left to eat the fruit of their own ways, and be filled with their own devices." It was so with the Heathen, " who liked not to retain God in their knowledge : he gave them over to a reprobate m…
462 wordsSECTION 8012. J Strivings Of The Spirit. 65
Lord of glory. Our blessed Saviour, previous to his death, took up this lamentation over them : "0 Jerusalem, Jeru- salem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye wou…
490 wordsSECTION 81Extent Of Man'S Wickedness.
2. Those who through grace have obeyed his blessed will — [Truly this is of the Lord, who alone has "made you willirigf," and has thus caused you to "differ from those around youg." Be thankful for this distinguishing grace ; hut remember that you still need his gracious in- fluences as much as ever. There is not…
798 wordsSECTION 82G8 Genesis, Vi. 5. [13.
b Heb. iv. 13. c Ezek. xi. 5. d Prov. xvi. 2. e Gen. viii. 21. f2 your "thoughts," " the imaginations of your thoughts," what report must you give of them ? Have they been all correct ? or, could you bear that man should see them as God has seen them ? The proud, the envious, the uncharitable, the angry, the vind…
674 wordsSECTION 83G8 Genesis, Vi. 5. [13.
3. Fear — [Though your hearts may have been renewed by divine grace, you are renewed, brethren, only in part : you have still the flesh within you, as well as the Spirit ; and you carry about with you still " a body of sin and death," from which, to your dying hour, you will need to be delivered. In fact, your who…
281 wordsSECTION 84Xiv.
god's determination to destroy man. Gen. vi. 6, 7. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man, whom L have created, from the face of the earth. THE evil of sin is visible wherever we turn our eyes. Not only has a manifest dete…
664 wordsSECTION 8572 Genesis, Vi. 6, 7. [14.
a Matt. xxiv. 37 — 39. b ver. 5, 11, 12, 13. The words themselves are strong; but the frequent repetition of them greatly increases their energy. c How ready are men to embark their property and risk their lives in privateering expeditions, when they can obtain a licence to rob and plunder their unoffending neighb…
760 wordsSECTION 8674 Genesis, Vi. 6, 7. [14.
But, however terrible this judgment was, it was strictly just — [The punishments inflicted by human governors, of ne- cessity, involve the innocent with the guilty : the children suffer through the misconduct of their parents ; yet no one on that account exclaims against the laws as unjust. Why then should that b…
604 wordsSECTION 87Noahs Obedience.
Gen. vi. 22. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. NEVER, from the foundation of the world to this hour, if we except the sacrifice which Christ made of himself upon the cross for the sins of men, was there such a demonstration of God's hatred of sin, as that which was given at the un…
376 wordsSECTION 8876 Genesis, Vi. 22. [15.
the ark, having first assigned to every living creature its place : and then " God shut him in :" and on that very day the rain descended, and the flood commenced, which speedily reached above the highest mountains, and destroyed every living crea- ture from the face of the earth.] Verily this obedience was of a m…
843 wordsSECTION 8978 Genesis, Vii. 1. [16.
2. The necessity of fear — [By this also was Noah actuated; and under the influence of it he prepared the arkc. And if we believe God's threat- enings against sin and sinners, how can we but fear ? The b Heb. xi. 7. c Heb. xi. 7. wrath of God is not to be disregarded, as a matter of no con- cern : no, in truth, i…
312 wordsSECTION 9010.] Preservation Of Noah. 79
Gen. vii. 1. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou, and all thy house, into the ark. THE Church of God has frequently been at so low an ebb, that its existence cannot now be traced. There have been times, even since the promulgation of Christianity, when the righteous have been but few : they appear to us indeed…
487 wordsSECTION 9180 Genesis, Vii. 1. [16.
Fellow should become a man ; that He should submit to this degradation, yea, moreover should endure the accursed death of the cross, for the purpose of reconciling us to his offended Father, and of " gathering together into one body all things both in heaven and on earth e ? " Who, I ask, would have ever thought o…
474 wordsSECTION 92Preservation Of Noaii, 81
16.] [There was in the ark an abundant store of provision both for man and beast : so that no creature, from the largest animal to the smallest insect, lacked any thing that was needful for it. Surely in this respect it beautifully represents the Church of Christ, wherein the ordinances of divine grace are adminis…
414 wordsSECTION 9382 Genesis, Vii. 1. [16.
[We should not be contented to go to heaven alone: we should say with the church of old, "Draw me; and we will run after thee0." It is the height of impiety to ask, " Am I my brother's keeper?" We are all appointed to watch over each other: What the Minister is amongst his flock, that every Parent and Master is am…
481 wordsSECTION 9416.] Preservation Of Noah. 83
of God: and St. Paul tells us, that "to them pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises :" Yet " he had great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart on account of them;" which he would not have had, if he had thought that the p…
462 wordsSECTION 9584 Genesis, Vii. 1. [16.
fault of those who refused to listen to the voice of mercy, and to obey the commands of God. And surely Noah would have paid a very unbecoming deference to the world, if he had fol- lowed their example rather than his own convictions, and consented to perish with them, rather than secure his own salvation. Why the…
473 wordsSECTION 96God'S Covenant With Noah.
Gen. ix. 12 — 16. And God said, This is the token of the Covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for 'perpetual generations : I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a clou…
367 wordsSECTION 9786 Genesis, Ix. 12—16. [17.
other covenant that God has ever entered into. Its peculiarity is visible, 1. In the parties with whom it was made — [The covenant made with Adam, included him and his posterity. That with Abraham, extended only to him and his believing Seed. That with Moses, was limited to the Jewish nation. But the covenant wit…
665 wordsSECTION 9888 Genesis, Ix. 12—16. [17.
Let us never forget this glorious truth ; " Our curse was re- moved by Christ being made a curse for usd:" Our reconcilia- tion with God was effected solely by the blood of his cross e : God smelled the sweet savour of his sacrifice f, and determined that all who came to him through Christ should find accept- ance…
714 wordsSECTION 9988 Genesis, Ix. 12—16. [17.
k Jer. xxxi. 33. ' 2 Pet. i. 4. >" Rom. vi. 14. » Heb. vi. 17, 18. 17.] god's covenant WITH NOAH. 89 or altered the thing that had gone out of his lips0." The com- parison between the two covenants in this particular is not forced or fanciful ; it is suggested by God himself ; who assures us that the covenant of …
465 wordsSECTION 100Confusion Of Tongues.
Gen. xi. 4 — 8. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the…
364 wordsSECTION 10118. J Confusion Of Tongues. 91
111 our observations on the history of these builders we shall notice, I. Their intentions — It does not appear that they designed to fortify themselves against another deluge ; for then they would have built on a mountain rather than a plain. — They had principally two things in view : 1. The advancement of the…
440 wordsSECTION 10292 Genesis, Xi. 4—8. [18.
if the whole earth was to be re-peopled, the rising generations must gradually enlarge their borders, with a view to occupy every quarter of the globe. But the builders of Babel thought that such a dispersion would deprive them of many comforts, and be attended with many inconveniences. As for the divine will, the…
421 wordsSECTION 10318.1 Confusion Of Tongues. 93
frustrate their design, and to accomplish his own purposes, by confounding their language. Now in this their disappointment it will be profit- able to notice, 1. The time — [God interrupted them in the midst of all their hopes and projects. They had made considerable progress in their work, and were, doubtless, …
434 wordsSECTION 10494 Genesis, Xl 4—8. [18.
the earth will exhibit the sad effects of their impiety, the indelible records of their shame. And where can we turn our eyes without seeing memorials of human folly, and evidences, that all creature-confidences are vain? Ask the aged, and they will testify; inquire even of the young, and they will confess ; that …
428 wordsSECTION 10518.]] Confusion Of Tongues. 95
there are who would gladly encounter labour and fatigue in the service of their fellow-creatures; but they are discouraged by these difficulties, and are compelled to restrain their bene- volent wishes through a conscious incapacity to carry them into effect. Nor is this all : for the unlearned of our own nation s…
454 wordsSECTION 106Call Of Abram.
are ready to say of them as the Jews did of the Apostles, " These men are full of new wine," they are foolish, they are mad. But they understand each other : though brought from the most distant parts of the earth, there will be found such an agreement between them, as will unite their hearts to each other in the …
391 wordsSECTION 10719.] Call Of Abram. 97
father Abraham :" one of the most remarkable of which is that which is mentioned in our text. We shall endeavour to observe that sobriety of interpretation, while we consider, I. The Call of Abram — The command given to him was most extraor- dinary— [The world had speedily relapsed into idolatry. Abram was brou…
461 wordsSECTION 10898 Genesis, Xii. 1—4. [19.
Some from their occupations in society must be more conver- sant with the world than others : but in heart and affection all must be withdrawn from it; "not partaking of its sins, lest they should receive also of its plagues "."] There will not appear to be anything harsh in the command given to Abram, if we consi…
468 wordsSECTION 10919.] Call Of Abram. <)!)
by his prevailing intercessions ! Suppose the Christian to be instrumental to the salvation of one single soul ; the whole world is not equivalent to the good that he has done. Nor is it that individual soul only that shall acknowledge him as its benefactor; for, all the good that shall arise through the me- dium …
453 wordsSECTION 110100 Genesis, Xii. 5. [20.
faith of Abram, and we shall instantly set out to follow his steps.] Address, 1. Those who are at ease in their native land — [It may appear harsh to say, that, " if you hate not father and mother, and houses and lands, yea and your own life also, you cannot be Christ's disciple":" but this is the word of Christ…
299 wordsSECTION 11120.] Abram'S Journey To Canaan. 101
Gen. xii. 5. They went forth, to go into the land of Canaan : and into the land of Canaan they came. THE call of Abram is one of the most instruc- tive subjects that can occupy the human mind ; both because the perfections of Almighty God were most gloriously displayed in it ; and because, in it, he shewed himsel…
492 wordsSECTION 112102 Genesis, Xii. 5. [20.
us to differ" from our fellows'1: and every saint, whether in heaven or on earth, must say, " By the grace of God I am what I am6."] 2. His power — [Nothing less than omnipotence could have effected such a sudden and total change in the heart of Abram as was wrought at this time : nor, in truth, could any thing l…
693 wordsSECTION 113104 Genesis, Xii. 5. [20.
2. His prompt decision — [It is said concerning him, that " when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an in- heritance, he obeyed." There was in him no hesitation, no delay. And in tliis way must we also obey the divine call, when bidden to " forsake all and follow Christ." We mus…
695 wordsSECTION 11421.1 Separation Of Abram And Lot. 105
r Prov. viii. 12. infidel." Whatever, then, be your situation in life, endeavour to discharge the duties of it in a becoming manner ; and let your determination through grace be like that of David, " I will behave myself wisely in a perfect ways."] 5. His persevering diligence — [In stopping at Haran till his fat…
250 wordsSECTION 11510G Genesis, Xiii. 8—11. [21.
Gen. xiii. 8 — 11. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee ? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thou dep…
505 wordsSECTION 11621.1 Separation Of Abram And Lot. 107
begun, no man can tell when or hoiv it shall terminate. Hence he was desirous of promoting peace between the herdmen, and more especially between himself and Lot. The con- sideration of the relation subsisting between himself and Lot, rendered the idea of contention still more hateful in his eyes ; " Let there be …
440 wordsSECTION 117108 Genesis, Xiii. 8— 11. [21.
Admirable as was the example of Abram, we observe a perfect contrast to it in, II. The choice of Lot — Whether Lot was at that time a converted man, we cannot say: it is certain that twenty years after this he was a truly righteous man, and a most distin- guished favourite of Heaven d: and it is not impro- bable…
408 wordsSECTION 11821.1 Separation Of Abram And Lot. 109
dwell in Sodom without fear. What benefits he was losing, and what dangers he was about to rush into, he little thought of: his earthly prosperity was all that occupied his mind : and whether the welfare of his soul were forwarded or impeded, he did not care. This conduct every one must blame : yet how many are th…
481 wordsSECTION 119110 Genesis, Xiv. 18— 20. [22.
were those of Abram in comparison of Lot's ! Give to Lot all the joy of successful covetousriess, and conceive him to be filled with exultation at the portion he had gained, and at his prospects of increasing opulence : suppose, on the other hand, Abram im- pressed with thankfulness to God for having enabled him to…
272 wordsSECTION 12022.] Melchizedec Blessing Abram. 1 1 1
Gen. xiv. 18 — 20. And Melchizedec king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth : and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he …
497 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.