PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 1 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 313,334 words · 642 reading sections
112 Genesis, Xiv. 18—20. [22.
of Salem, he was king of peace a. He was also " a Priest of the most high God," ministering, not to one peculiar people, as the Levites afterwards did, but to mankind at large without any distinction. In these respects he typified the Lord Jesus, whose "sceptre is a right sceptre b," who " maketh peace for us by t…
492 wordsSECTION 12222.1 Melchizedec Blessing Abram. 113
we also may easily conceive to what a deplorable state we of this nation should soon be reduced by our envious and ambi- tious neighbours, if we had not fleets and armies ready to maintain our cause. It is to be lamented indeed that all our warriors are not so pacific in their principles, and disinterested in thei…
433 wordsSECTION 1231 14 Genesis, Xiv. 18—20. [22.
designed it principally as a tribute of piety to God. And herein he has shewn us our duty towards the Priests and Ministers of God. If they perform their office, as Melchizedec did, with a tender concern for those amongst whom they minister, and with real piety towards God, they ought to be " esteemed very highly …
475 wordsSECTION 12422.1 Melchizedec Blessing Abram. 115
without any such solemnity. Moreover, as we before hinted, there was no successor to Melchizeclec in his priestly office ; which intimated, that Christ should have none in his; but that his priesthood should be everlasting: whereas the Levitical priests could not continue in their office by reason of death. From a…
449 wordsSECTION 12511G Genesis, Xv. 1. [23.
the unlearned nor the learned can open it of themselves11. It contains inexhaustible " treasures of wisdom and knowledge" which God alone can impart. Let us then search the Scrip- tures with humility and diligence, lifting up at the same time our voice to God for understanding: for it is God alone who giveth wisdo…
265 wordsSECTION 12623."] Encouragement To The Fearful. 117
Gen. xv. 1 . After these things, the zvord of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.* WE may here observe, I. The most eminent saints need encouragement — They are apt at times to feel discouragement, 1. From a review of past difficulties — …
495 wordsSECTION 127Abram Justified By Faith.
fidelity. Have you now any cause for fear? Be strong: fear not. See 1 Tim. iv. 10.] To the careless unbeliever let me also speak — [Tell me, Have not you cause to fear? Think of the danger to which you are exposed. And where will you find "a shield?" Think of the recompence that awaits you: how different from tha…
380 wordsSECTION 12824.1 Abram Justified By Faith. 119
him, and to confirm that contempt of lucre which he had shewn in refusing to accept even a thread of a shoe-latchet of all the spoil that he had taken. But was Abram contented with this promise ? No. God had before promised that he should have a child, from whom in due time the Messiah should spring. He had waite…
360 wordsSECTION 129120 Genesis, Xv. 5, 6. [24.
I. The faith he exercised — The promise which was now given him, was very extensive — [It being early in the morning before sun-rise, God " brought him forth abroad, and bade him count, if he could, the stars of heaven ; " and then told him that " his seed should be, like them," innumerable. This doubtless respec…
448 wordsSECTION 13024.] Abram Justified By Faith. 121
doubt ; for our blessed Lord himself said to the Jews, " Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day ; he saw it and was gladg." What can be the meaning of this? can it mean only that he foresaw that this progeny could continue so many hun- dred years ? In truth, he had no reason to rejoice, if that were all ; for …
449 wordsSECTION 131122 Genesis, Xv. 5, G. [24.
Testament: we shall endeavour therefore to state to you what we apprehend to be its precise import. 1 . It does not mean that the act of faith constituted Abram's righteousness, or that he was in any way justified by it as an act — [Faith, considered as an act, is the same as any other act of the human mind. As h…
465 wordsSECTION 13224.] Abram Justified By Faith. 123
We have before shewn, that Christ and his salvation were contained in the promises made to Abram ; and that Abram's faith had respect to them. Now we say that by his faith Abram became interested in all that Christ did and suffered, precisely as we do at this day. The only difference between Abram and us is this :…
469 wordsSECTION 133124 Genesis, Xv. 5, G. [24.
and resurrection of Christ, it shews us, on the other hand, that we must seek for justification, not by our works, but by faith in Christ Jesus. For if so eminent a man as Abram, who had forsaken his country and kindred, and sojourned willingly in a strange land where he had not the smallest possession, and even o…
524 wordsSECTION 134Covenant Confirmed To Abram.
thing that God himself could say to him allay the thirst which he had after that unspeakable gift. His longing after Christ arose, as we should think, even to impatience and ingratitude. But God approved of it ; and instantly renewed his promises to him in a more plain and express manner than before. And thus will…
384 wordsSECTION 135126 Genesis, Xv. 8. [25.
Abram, and confirm his hopes of a numerous pos- terity : but, Abram being still desirous of receiving stronger assurances respecting his possession of the promised land, God graciously complied with his request in this respect also, and confirmed his ex- pectations of it in a manner that deserves particular atten…
413 wordsSECTION 13625.]] Covenant Confirmed To Abram. 127
In the same manner he gave to Hezekiah a choice of signs, offering to make the shadows on the sun-dial to go backward or forward ten degrees, according as he should desire e. From hence it appears that the inquiries which proceed from faith, are good and acceptable to God : and that Abram's was of this nature is m…
439 wordsSECTION 137128 Genesis, Xv. 8. [25.
absolutely perfect sacrifice could avail for ratifying of God's covenant with man), and, after being slain, their parts were to be divided and placed opposite to each other, so that a sufficient space should be left for a man to pass between them. Whether this way of making covenants had obtained before, or whethe…
413 wordsSECTION 13825.] Covenant Confirmed To Abram. 129
endeavours to drive away the fowls, and in the preternatural sleep and horror that came upon him. This lapse of time, I say, intimated the delay that should take place before the promise should be fulfilled, or his wishes receive their final completion. If in deciphering these emblems we seem to have gone be- yond…
459 wordsSECTION 139130 Genesis, Xv. 8. [25.
important to us, as Abram's was to him : and we have more encouragement to ask the question, because God has provided us with such ample means of solving it. As for any thing to confirm the veracity of God, nothing can be added to what he has already done : he has sent his only dear Son into the world to die for u…
493 wordsSECTION 140The Omniscience Of God. ,
Gen. xvi. 13. She called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God sees.t me. AFFLICTIONS sanctified are amongst our great- est mercies. Hagar would have known less of her- self, and less of God, if she had not experienced domestic trouble. She had indulged an exceeding bad spirit in despising her mistre…
320 wordsSECTION 141132 Genesis, Xvi. 13. [26.
sinb But God lias indeed been privy to every one of their most secret thoughts c And he has noticed them in order that he may bring them into judgment, and make them the foundation of his own decisions at the last dayd What a fearful thought is this ! and what a necessity does it impose on every one to search out …
467 wordsSECTION 142Circumcision Of Abraham.
desires of our souls : that if, on the one hand, he has seen our corruptions, he has, on the other hand, beheld our conflicts, and can bear witness to the ardour and sincerity of our exer- tions"1 ! What a comfort is it to know, that he sees us striving after universal holiness, and plunging daily and hourly, as i…
378 wordsSECTION 143134 Genesis, Xvii. 9, 10. [27.
The importance attached to this rite under the Jewish dispensation clearly shews, that it was not a mere arbitrary imposition, but an ordinance fraught with instruction. It was imposed on Abraham and all his posterity, 1 . As a seal of their privileges — [Abraham had from the first believed the promises which Go…
465 wordsSECTION 14427.1 Circumcision Of Abraham. 135
be used by every Jew in reference to this sacred memorial : for, having in his own person the appointed sign of his relation to God, he must be continually reminded " whose he was, and whom he was bound to serve."] 3. An emblem of their duties — [We cannot doubt but that this painful rite was intended to represen…
409 wordsSECTION 145136 Genesis, Xvii. 9, 10. [27.
body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ : buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the ope- ration of God, who hath raised him from the dead1." Now in Baptism we have, 1. A seal of our privileges — [When Christianity was first preached, the ordinance …
445 wordsSECTION 14627.1 Circumcision Of Abraham. 137
profession, and of the solemn engagements that we have entered into. It is worthy of observation that, when the sacred histo- rian says, " They were called Christians first at Antioch," he uses a word, which, with one only exception, always implies a divine appointment™: and in the passage that we except, it may v…
504 wordsSECTION 147138 Genesis, Xvii. 9, 10. [27.
1. Why infants ought to be baptized — [The great argument for not baptizing infants is, that they are incapable of performing the duties of the Christian cove- nant, and therefore they ought not to have the seal of that cove- nant applied to them. Now if children had never been admitted into covenant with God at a…
501 wordsSECTION 14828.] Sarah Reproved For Her Unbelief. 139
The persons whom we address, have all been devoted to God in their infancy. But have all remembered the obligations which their baptism entailed upon them ? Have all experienced " the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost r ? " Are all walking worthy of Him into whose sacred name they have be…
322 wordsSECTION 149140 Genesis, Xviii. 13, 14. [28.
Gen. xviii. 13, 14. And the Lord said unto Abraham, Where- fore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. THEPtE is no time, no situation, no …
456 wordsSECTION 15028.] Sarah Reproved For Her Unbelief. 141
might have said, that she had done nothing- but what Abraham himself had done, the very last time that the divine purpose respecting a son had been announced to hima : but though the external act of laughing was the same both in her and in him, the principle from which it sprang was widely different: Abra- ham's w…
492 wordsSECTION 151142 Genesis, Xviii. 13, 14. [28.
to it, he has confirmed his promise with an oath, that we might have the fuller assurance, and the stronger consolation c. It is thus that he tenderly reproved the church of old ; " Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, saying, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God ? H…
462 wordsSECTION 15228.~] Sarah Reproved For Her Unbelief. 143
but small in human estimation, it is exceedingly offensive to God, and will, if allowed to gain an entire ascendency over us, assuredly exclude us from his heavenly kingdom g.] 2. How ready God is to mark the good that is in our actions, while he casts a veil over the evil with which it is accompanied — [At the v…
465 wordsSECTION 153144 Genesis, Xviii. 19. [29.
of their own conscience ! Had their sin passed without notice, they had lived and died under its dominion : but by a timely discovery of it they have been led to repentance, and stirred up to the exercise of the virtue they had overlooked. Let us then " in any wise rebuke our brother, and not suffer sin upon him."…
294 wordsSECTION 154Xxix.
Abraham's care of his family. Gen. xviii. 19. I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. WONDERFUL is the condescension of Almighty God. His attention to his own peculiar people sur- passes almost the bounds of credibility. Who would think …
495 wordsSECTION 155146 Genesis, Xviii. 19. [29.
the Sabbath, and all kinds of profaneness, must be discoun- tenanced to the utmost : and all the maxims and habits of the world, as far as they are contrary to the commands of God, must be held up to decided reprehension. The Gospel too, which above all things most exalts the honour of God, must be patronized, inc…
673 wordsSECTION 156146 Genesis, Xviii. 19. [29.
And shall any other person " give unto the Lord, and not be recompensed again g ? " The ungodly have indeed said, " What profit is there that we should serve him h ? " but he never gave occasion for such an impious charge. Say, ye who have endea- voured to live for His glory, has he not favoured you with his visit…
312 wordsSECTION 157148 Genesis, Xviii. 19. [29.
education would have been committed, are prevented; and good habits are, for a time at least, induced. And though afterwards the force of temptation may prevail to draw them aside from the good way, yet in a season of trouble they may be brought to reflection, and the seed long buried in the earth may spring up, a…
716 wordsSECTION 158148 Genesis, Xviii. 19. [29.
But perhaps you will say, ' I do occasionally give them good advice.' What is that? Abraham did not satisfy himself with giving good advice to his children and his household, but " commanded them :" he maintained authority in his family, and exercised that authority for God. And thus should you do also. Eli could …
258 wordsSECTION 159150 Genesis, Xviii. 32. [30.
Ishmael, in Isaac's a profane Esau, and in Jacob's many a sin- ful character. But still, if you fail in many instances, and succeed in only one, will not one soul repay you for all your trouble ? The testimony of your own conscience too, confirmed by the witness of God's Spirit— is this no recompence ? Will not th…
253 wordsSECTION 160Xxx.
Abraham's intercession for sodom. Gen. xviii. 32. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once : Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for tens sake. THE selection of this chapter as one of the Lessons for this day* intimates, that the doctrine o…
541 wordsSECTION 161For His People!
obtained a promise that if only ten could be found, the rest should be spared for their sake. What an astonishing idea does this give us of God's regard Let us observe, I. How dear to Him are their persons! We forbear to notice the honourable appellations which he gives them (as his jewels, his peculiar trea- su…
844 wordsSECTION 162151 Genesis, Xviii. 32. [30.
i Matt. xvii. 27. r Exod. viii. 17, 24. s Josh. x. 13. 1 Judg. v. 20. u Isai. xxxviii. 6 — 8. x Gen. xxx. 27. y Gen. xxxix. 5. z The text. a Gen. xix. 21. b Gen. xix. 22. c Acts xxvii. 24, 34. <* Jer. v. 1. e Ezek. xxii. 30, 31. the elect's sake ;" yea, it was out of respect to them alone that there was not an ut…
835 wordsSECTION 163156 Genesis, Xviii. 32. [30.
While in such instances as these we contemplate the con- descension of our God, we cannot fail to notice the love which he bears to his chosen people, and the peculiar delight which he feels in hearing and answering their prayers.] Observe, 1. What blessings are God's people in the places where they live! [Our b…
601 wordsSECTION 164Lot Delivered Out Of Sodom.
Gen. xix. 17. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain : escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. IT is extremely profitable to observe how ready God is to honour those who honour him. Lot had be…
338 wordsSECTION 165158 Genesis, Xix. 17. [31.
If we consider the circumstances of Lot, the advice given him was, 1. Most salutary — [The measure of this people's iniquities was now full : and God had determined utterly to destroy them. This determi- nation had already been announced to Lot ; and he had been sent to his friends and relatives to declare it to …
444 wordsSECTION 16631.1 Lot Delivered Out Of Sodom. 159
been really chargeable with the death of all the family ? As- suredly, the more faithful and earnest they were in the dis- charge of their duty, the more real benevolence they exercised: nor could they have displayed their love in any better way, than by seizing hold of them to quicken their pace, and urging them …
458 wordsSECTION 167100 Genesis, Xix. 17. [31.
he must not delay a moment, lest he should be consumed. Thus it is with us. We cannot say, God has sent his only dear Son to save me, and therefore I have nothing to do : we must rather say, God has offered to have mercy on me, and therefore I must "work out my salvation with fear and trem- bling." To found our ho…
492 wordsSECTION 16831.] Lot Delivered Out Of Sodom. 161
builded ; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all ; even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man shall be revealed k:" and let me ask whether it is not so at this day? We are attending to our temporal concerns, our cares and pleasures, wi…
488 wordsSECTION 169162 Genesis, Xix. 17. [31.
brimstone, which is the second death"." " Make haste then, and delay not, to keep God's commandments0," and to " lay hold on eternal life." Rest not in any purposes, professions, or attainments. Turn not back even in thought : but " for- getting what is behind, press forward toward that which is before." It will b…
468 wordsSECTION 170Abraham Reproved For Denying His Wife.
Gen. xx. 9. Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? andwhat have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on mi/ kingdom a great sin ? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. WE admire the fidelity of Scripture history. There is not a saint, however e…
374 wordsSECTION 171164 Genesis, Xx. 9. [32.
himself, he has recourse to this expedient of denying his wife. But was not God still able to protect him ? or could the Phi- listines touch an hair of his head without God's permission ? In what had God failed him, that now at this time he should begin to doubt his faithfulness or power ? It was the limiting of t…
442 wordsSECTION 172Abraham Reproved By Abimelech. 165
32.] [Had the Philistines come suddenly upon Abraham, and threatened to put him to death for his wife's sake, we should the less have wondered that they were prevailed upon to conceal their relation to each other. But he had committed this same: offence many years before ; and had thereby ensnared Pharaoh king of…
427 wordsSECTION 173166 Genesis, Xx. 9. [32.
Could not that God who had brought him out from an ido- latrous country, and preserved Lot and Melchizedec in the midst of the most abandoned people, have some " hidden ones" in Gerar also ? Or, supposing that there were none who truly feared God, must they therefore be so impious as to murder him in order to poss…
487 wordsSECTION 17432.1 Abraham Reproved By Abimelech. 167
admonishing her thereby no more to call him by that deceitful name. On restoring Sarah to her husband, he endeavoured to make all possible reparation for the evil which he had unwittingly committed. He loaded Abraham with presents, and permitted him to dwell in any part of his dominions ; and gave him a thousand …
427 wordsSECTION 175108 Genesis, Xx. 9. [32.
2. Guard against relapses into sin — [We may have repented of a sin, and for a long time for- saken it, and yet be in danger of falling into it again. Indeed our besetting sin, however repented of, will generally continue our besetting sin : and the power of divine grace will appear, not so much in taking away all…
473 wordsSECTION 176Abraham Casting Out Hagar And Ishmael.
pursue it eagerly. At all events, the measure adopted by Abraham is open to us all. We may pray for those whom we have injured. We may beg of God to obliterate from their minds any bad impression, which either by our words or actions we have made upon them. And, if we find in them a kind forgiving spirit, we shoul…
355 wordsSECTION 177170 Genesis, Xxl 9, 10. [33.
submission was attended with much comfort either to herself or her mistress : where there was no love, there would be found many occasions of vexation and dispute. At last, after about eighteen years, a quarrel arose, which determined Sarah to expel from her family both Hagar and her son. This domestic occurrence…
409 wordsSECTION 17833.] Hagar And Ishmael Cast Out. 171
being the father of both, felt a paternal affection towards each of them : nor was he indifferent towards Hagar, whom he had considered, and lived with, as a legitimate wife. Perhaps too he suspected that Sarah's proposal originated in an irritation of temper, and that less severe measures would in a little time s…
427 wordsSECTION 179172 Genesis, Xxi. 9, 10. [33.
[We should not have ventured to deduce such a position as this from an altercation that took place between two chil- dren so many hundred years ago, if an inspired Apostle had not put this very construction upon it. But the disagreements of Cain and Abel, and of Ishmael and Isaac, are recorded on purpose to shew u…
495 wordsSECTION 18033. J Hagar And Ishmael Cast Out. 17.3
after the Spirit. Hence it appears that we must be children of promise, in order to belong to the church of Christ. We must have embraced the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus ; we must, " by means of the promises, have been made partakers of a divine nature h ;" and been led by them to " purify ourselves f…
500 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.