PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 1 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 313,334 words · 642 reading sections
174 Genesis, Xxi. 9, 10. [33.
From this subject we may gather some hints : 1. For the regulating of the conduct of earthly parents — [It can scarcely be expected in this state of imperfection, but that disagreements will arise between some individuals of a large family. The imperiousness of a master or mistress, the petulance or idleness of a…
448 wordsSECTION 18234.] Isaac A Type Of Christ. 175
[Thanks be to God, we materially differ from Ishmael and Isaac in this, that whereas Ishmael could not become a child of promise, we may: for the Scripture says, " If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the pro- mise"1." Moreover, if we be indeed Christ's, then shall we never be disi…
288 wordsSECTION 18317G Genesis, Xxii. 6—10. [34.
Gen. xxii. 6 — 10. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt- offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son : and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife : and they went both of them toge- ther. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father : and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire an…
552 wordsSECTION 18434,] Isaac A Type Of Christ. 177
execute the divine command. Having come in sight of the mountain, he ordered his servants to abide in their place, lest they should officiously interpose to prevent the intended offer- ing. He put the wood on his son, and carried the fire and the knife in his own hands. Affecting as these preparations must have be…
445 wordsSECTION 185178 Genesis, Xxii. 6—10. [34.
Almost every circumstance in this narrative de- serves to be considered in, II. Its typical reference — Waving many less important points, we may observe that Isaac was a type of Christ : 1. In his appointment to be a sacrifice — [Isaac was a child of promise, born in a preternatural way, of a disposition eminen…
473 wordsSECTION 18635.1 Importance Of Evidences. 179
There is one point, however, wherein the resem- blance does not appear — [For Isaac was found a substitute ; for Jesus none. Neither the cattle on a thousand hills, nor all the angels in heaven, could have stood in his place. None but Jesus could have made a full atonement for our sins. He therefore saved not him…
299 wordsSECTION 187180 Genesis, Xxii. 12. [35.
Gen. xxii. 12. Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me. THERE are in the Holy Scriptures many expres- sions, which, if taken in the strictest and most literal sense, could convey to us very erroneous conceptions of the Deity. God is often pleased to speak of…
425 wordsSECTION 18835.1 Importance Of Evidences. 181
[The Scriptures suggest innumerable marks whereby to discover our true character. St. John seems to have written his First Epistle almost for the very purpose of informing us on this head, that he might leave us altogether inexcusable if we erred respecting it : " Hereby we do know that we know God, if we keep his…
451 wordsSECTION 189182 Genesis, Xxii. 12. [35.
Never was there a more glorious act of obedience than that which Abraham performed in offering up his son, his only son, Isaac. But it will be asked, Is any thing like that required of us ? I answer, 1 . A full equivalent to this is required of us — [True, indeed, we are not called to that very act of offer- ing …
493 wordsSECTION 19036.] Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. 183
Now, let me ask, What testimony must God bear respecting you ? [He knows every one amongst you, and every secret of your hearts: yet will he not proceed in judgment without adducing the proofs which you had given of your true cha- racter. If he say to you, " Come, ye blessed," or, " Go, ye cursed," he will assign…
282 wordsSECTION 191184 Genesis, Xxii. 14. [36.
Gen. xxii. 14. And Abraham called the name of that place, Jehovah-j/reh : as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. THE Saints of old took special care to remember the mercies of their God. Hence they scarcely ever received any remarkable deliverance from evil, or communication of good…
466 wordsSECTION 19236.] Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. 185
and has been handed down as a proverb through all successive generations even to this very day: the proverb is, " In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen ; " or, as it should rather be translated, " In the mount the Lord shall be seen." To enter fully into this most instructive proverb, it will be proper to shew…
451 wordsSECTION 19318G Genesis, Xxii. 14. [36.
by the coming of Christ. But our interest in it is not only as great as theirs was in the days of old, but, I had almost said, greater : for in the mention of this part of the covenant in the New Testament there is this remarkable difference: in the Old Testament God says, " I will be their God ; " but in the New …
505 wordsSECTION 19436.] Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. 187
days, in the generations of old," is there made the very pattern of what shall be done for all the Lord's people. A similar assurance is given in reference to the water that issued from the rock ; and we are told " not even to remember or con- sider the former things," since God will repeat them again and again, d…
471 wordsSECTION 195188 Genesis, Xxii. 14. [36.
of Jehovah for his deliverance0. Sometimes he will defeat the enterprises of his enemies by the very means which they use to carry them into effect. This was the case with respect to Joseph, whose exaltation sprang from the very means used by various instruments for his destruction p. As for means, we may safely l…
477 wordsSECTION 19636.1 Jehovah-Jireii, The Lord Will Provide. 189
storms, that he may be ready to meet them when they come. In like manner you also will do well to prepare for seasons of adversity and trial. The seaman takes with him his compass, his chart, his quadrant ; and makes his daily observations, that he may know where he is, and not be driven from his course. So likewi…
509 wordsSECTION 197Xxxvii.
This is the direction which he himself gives you: "Who is among you that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his Gode." And if the time for your deliverance seem to be utterly passed, go with the Hebrew youths into the fiery furnace, taking God's express pr…
684 wordsSECTION 198192 Genesis, Xxii. 18. [37.
2. They are united in one body in him — [He has broken down the middle wall of partition that divided the Jewish and Gentile world, and, having reconciled both unto God in one body by the cross, he has slain the a Gal. iii. 14. " Gal. iii. 16. c Col. i. 20—22. enmity thereby*1. All mankind are now brought into one…
544 wordsSECTION 199Abraham Purchasing A Burying-Place In Canaan.
Gen. xxiii. 17, 18. And the field of Ephron, tohich was in Machpelah, which teas before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, ivere made sure unto Abraham for a possession, in the presence of the children of Heth, befor…
289 wordsSECTION 200194 Genesis, Xxiii. 17, 18. [38.
admirable pattern for transacting the common busi- ness of life than the history before us. All parties seemed to be penetrated with the same spirit : they vied with each other in all that was amiable and praiseworthy. We may notice in particular, 1. Their courteousness — [Abraham, in his address to the chief per…
723 wordsSECTION 20119G Genesis, Xxiii. 17, 18. [38.
How unlike to Abraham are many who call themselves his children ! They embark in business, and enter into contracts, without due consideration : they transact their affairs without order, and leave them in confusion : and thus by their indiscreet conduct they involve their names in disgrace, and their fami- lies i…
680 wordsSECTION 20219G Genesis, Xxiii. 17, 18. [38.
38.] Abraham's burying-place in canaan. VJ1 approach of the Chaldean army, determined to sell his estate ; and offered it to Jeremiah first, because the right of redemp- tion belonged to him. By God's command Jeremiah bought the inheritance ; and had the transfer signed and scaled in a public manner; and buried th…
463 wordsSECTION 203198 Genesis, Xxiv. 2—4. [39.
2. Let us look forward to the possession of the heavenly Canaan — [There is " a promise left us of entering into rest," even into " that rest which remaineth for the people of God." But we may experience many difficulties and trials in our way thither. Nevertheless " the promise is sure to all the seed :" and " o…
306 wordsSECTION 204Marriage Of Isaac. 199
Gen. xxiv. 2 — 4. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh : and I tvill make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites,…
565 wordsSECTION 205200 Genesis, Xxiv. 2—4. [39.
How admirable a pattern is this for parents, in reference to the forming of matrimonial connexions for their children! The generality are influenced chiefly by the family and fortune of those with whom they seek to be allied : and even professors of godliness are too often swayed by considerations like these, with…
469 wordsSECTION 20639.1 Marriage Of Isaac. 201
presented his silent ejaculations to God, when Rebekah came, according to the custom of those times, to draw water ; and, on being requested to favour him with a draught of water, made the very reply which he had just specified as the sign that was to mark the divine appointment. And no sooner had she made the off…
504 wordsSECTION 207202 Genesis, Xxiv. 2—4. [39.
II. Its emblematic import — Fearful as we would be, exceeding fearful, of im- posing any sense upon the Holy Scriptures, which God himself has not plainly sanctioned, we will not take upon ourselves absolutely to affirm that the marriage of Isaac was allegorical : but when we consider that some of the most striki…
416 wordsSECTION 20839.] Marriage Of Isaac. 203
at the hands of him who neglected them. At the same time they are informed, that if their want of success is not owing to their own negligence, but to the obstinacy of the people to whom they are sent, it shall not be imputed to them ; but " they shall receive a recompence according to their own labour k," and "be…
438 wordsSECTION 209204 Genesis, Xxiv. 2—4. [39.
[We have seen how simply and entirely God was regarded by all the parties concerned in this affair ; by Abraham who gave the commission, by Isaac who acquiesced in it, by the servant who executed it, by Rebekah's friends who submitted to the proposal as proceeding from God, and by Rebekah her- self, who willingly …
472 wordsSECTION 210Jacob Preferred Before Esau.
his overtures of love and mercy. We declare to you, that now he will adorn you with a robe of righteousness and the graces of his Spirit, which were but faintly shadowed forth by the raiment and the jewels that were given to Rebekah1. You shall be " all glorious within, and your raiment of wrought gold8." O let us…
366 wordsSECTION 211206 Genesis, Xxv. 23. [40.
being unable to account for them, consulted the Lord. God answered her, that twins were in her womb; that they should be fathers of two distinct nations ; that their characters, as also that of their descendants, should be extremely different ; that they should contend with each other for the superiority ; that t…
381 wordsSECTION 21240.] Jacob Preferred Before Esau. 207
God, as the Creator of all things, has an unlimited right over all — [It was of his own good pleasure that he created the world at all : there was nothing that had any claim upon him to call it into existence. "When he had formed the chaos, no part of matter had any claim above the rest : that which was left inert…
448 wordsSECTION 213208 Genesis, Xxv. 23. [40.
We may daily see this, 1. In the dealings of his providence — [He consulted not any of his creatures how long a space of time he should occupy in completing the work of creation ; or how many orders of creatures he should form. He could as easily have perfected the whole at once, as in six days ; or have endued e…
473 wordsSECTION 21440.1 Jacob Preferred Before Esau. £09
death ; in all this, I say, has not God clearly shewn, that " he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and that whom he will he hardeneth, or giveth over to the blindness and obdu- racy of their own hearts*?" But, as among Abraham's seed " all were not Israel who were of Israel," so it is now in the Christia…
441 wordsSECTION 215210 Genesis, Xxv. 23. [40.
[Ask of St. Paul, To whom he owed his eminent attain- ments? and he will answer, "By the grace of God I am what I amp." Ask him, To whom all Christians are indebted for every grace they possess ? he will answer, " He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is Godq." Ascend to the highest heavens, and inquire …
832 wordsSECTION 216212 Genesis, Xxv. 32. [41.
u Rom. iii. 8. Gen. xxv. 32. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birth right do to me? IT may be considered as a general rule, that no man abstains from any thing which he has purposed to do, for want of some excuse of expedience or necessity to justify it. A melancholy ins…
469 wordsSECTION 21741. J The Christian'S Birthright. 213
the mediation of his father, that so he might be reinstated in his natural rights. But we read not of any such endeavours : on the contrary, we are told, " He did eat and chink, and rose up, and went his way ; " so little did he value, or rather, so utterly did he " despise, his birthright." On this account is he …
440 wordsSECTION 218214 Genesis, Xxv. 32, [41.
so with those who yield to uncleanness, intemperance, or any base passion? Do they not sacrifice their health, their repu- tation, yea, their very souls, for a momentary indulgence ? Do they not say, in fact, ' Give me the indulgence of my lust ; I must and will have it, whatever be the consequence : if I cannot h…
463 wordsSECTION 21942.1 Jacob Obtaining The Blessing. 215
or congratulate yourselves on having so often gratified your vicious inclinations? Suppose on the other hand that ye were dying, like Isaac, in the faith of Christ ; would ye then say, What profit shall my birthright do to me? Would it then appear a trifling matter to have an interest in the Saviour, and a title t…
359 wordsSECTION 220216 Genesis, Xxvii. 35. [42.
Gen. xxvii. 35. And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. IT is not within the reach of our limited capacity to conceive how many and how great events depend upon causes apparently unimportant. We can have no doubt but that parents so pious as Isaac and Rebekah, and who excell…
410 wordsSECTION 22142.] Jacob Obtaining The Blessing. 217
The taste of Isaac, as well as his sight, was easily deceived. His ear however was more capable of discernment, and excited strong suspicions, that the person who addressed him was not the person he professed to be, but Jacob in disguise. To satisfy his mind, he determined to call in the evidence of his other sen…
392 wordsSECTION 222218 Genesis, Xxvii. 35. [42.
reasonably supposed, that this holy man could have so far declined from God as to set himself in deliberate and deter- mined opposition to his will, was not God able to overrule his actions, and to constrain him, as he afterwards did Jacob him- self, to cross his hands, and, even against his will, to transfer the …
433 wordsSECTION 22342.] Jacob Obtaining The Blessing. 219
[He had determined that Jacob should have the blessing : but who could have thought that he should ever confer it in such a way ? Who would have thought that he should employ all this treachery and deceit and falsehood in the bestowment of it? Let not any one however imagine, that the divine conduct is vitiated by…
487 wordsSECTION 224220 Genesis, Xxvii. 35. [42.
should induce us to deviate. We must walk always as in the immediate presence of God. We must not for a moment allow ourselves in guile of any kind. Little do we know whither we may be drawn, if once we depart from the path of truth and honesty. Who would have thought that Jacob should have been drawn from dissimu…
681 wordsSECTION 225220 Genesis, Xxvii. 35. [42.
it{ — - But, if you make light of God's promised blessings, whatever may be the immediate means of your privation, you shall never enjoy them, nor ever so much as taste the banquet which your Lord and Saviour has prepared8.] 2. Those who desire the Birthright — [Seek it in a humble simple dependence upon God. In …
269 wordsSECTION 226Xliii.
Jacob's vision a type of the ministration of angels to christ. Gen. xxviii. 12, 13. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven : and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it. NOW that God has given to the world a…
672 wordsSECTION 227224 Genesis, Xxviii. 12, Vs. [43.
1. The testimony which angels were to give to Christ— [Our Lord himself has cast the true light on this passage. In his conversation with Nathanael, he tells the young con- vert, that he should one day see that realized in him, which had been shadowed forth in Jacob's vision c. Accordingly we find that as, from t…
593 wordsSECTION 228The Manner In Which God Dispenses His Favours.
to dread the wrath, either of God or man, let them call to mind the example before us ; and turn unto him, who has promised " that he will in no wise cast them out."] 2. There is no distress so great, but God is able and willing to deliver us from it — [God has thousands of angels at his command, and has appointe…
376 wordsSECTION 229226 Genesis, Xxviii. 15. [44.
[Jacob had grievously sinned both against God and man, in personating his brother, in imposing on his father, in blas- phemously ascribing to God what was the fruit of his own device, and in fraudulently obtaining his brother's birthright. Having incensed his injured brother, he was now fleeing, to avoid the effec…
460 wordsSECTION 23044.1 H0W G0D Dispenses His Favours. 227
a support under his present trials ! what an antidote against any future calamities ! Thus it is that God interposes on the behalf of his people, and " repents himself for them, when their strength is gone, and there is none shut up or lefte." When the contrite soul is bowed down under a sense of guilt, and ready …
483 wordsSECTION 231228 Genesis, Xxviii. 15. [44.
justify those, who open the sacred records, and expect that the portion of Scripture, on which they cast their eye, shall be a kind of literal direction to them ; (a most unwarranted and delusive method of ascertaining the mind of God !) but this we must affirm, that, whatever we want, whether wisdom, or strength,…
546 wordsSECTION 232Xlv.
Jacob's pillar at beth-el. Gen. xxviii. 16 — 19. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep ; and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place ; and I knew it not. And he tuas afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place ! this is none other but the house of God ; and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the…
318 wordsSECTION 233230 Genesis, Xxviii. 16—19. [45.
even to the very moment of his conversion, was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of our Lord, having voluntarily enlisted himself in the service of the high-priest to execute against them his cruel decrees. He was, as he him- self tells us, " a blasphemer, and injurious, and a persecu…
710 wordsSECTION 234232 Genesis, Xxviii. 16—19. [45.
Such a revelation, at such a time, and such a place, a place where the grossest idolatry prevailed to the utter exclusion of the only true God, astonished him beyond measure, and constrained him to exclaim, " Surely the Lord is in this place ; and I knew it not." He now saw that God was not confined to any place …
650 wordsSECTION 235234 Genesis, Xxviii. 16—19. [45.
" He rose up early in the morning, and took the stone which he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Beth-el ; but the name of the city was called Luz at the first." He determined to erect a memorial of the stupendous mercy tha…
869 wordsSECTION 236236 Genesis, Xxviii. 16—19. [45.
What if, by means of it, God's salvation be made known, and his name be glorified? What if many who have immortal souls, now sunk in ignorance and sin, " be turned by means of it from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God ?" What if, by the erection of an altar here, there be in this place some- …
797 wordsSECTION 237238 Genesis, Xxviii. 1G— 19. [45.
the gate of heaven." Know of a truth, that one ray of the Sun of Righteousness is sufficient to dispel all the gloom and darkness of the most afflicted soul : and, if only you will direct your eyes to Him, how- ever your afflictions may have abounded, your con- solations shall much more abound. I trust there are …
632 wordsSECTION 238240 Genesis, Xxviii. 20—22. [40.
Jacob's vow. Gen. xxviii. 20 — 22. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep vie in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my fathers house in peace ; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, …
835 wordsSECTION 239242 Genesis, Xxviii. 20—22. [46.
2. A competent measure of earthly comforts — [These also are necessary in this vale of tears. Food we must have to nourish our bodies, and raiment to cover us from the inclemencies of the weather : these therefore we may ask of God: beyond these we should have no desire: " Having food and raiment we should be ther…
708 wordsSECTION 240242 Genesis, Xxviii. 20—22. [46.
2. To glorify him as God — [The two particulars which Jacob mentions, namely, the building of an altar to the Lord on that very spot where God had visited him, and the consecrating to his especial service a tenth of all that God in his providence should give unto him, were optional, till he by this vow had made th…
410 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.