PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 1 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 313,334 words · 642 reading sections
78.1 The Deliverance Of The Passover. 383
clip the hyssop in the blood, and by faith apply it to our own hearts and consciences, or else we can have no benefit from it, no interest in it ] 3. They must abide in their houses — [This was appointed, that they might know to what alone they owed their safety, namely, to the blood sprinkled on their houses. If…
426 wordsSECTION 362384 Exodus, Xii. 21—23. [78.
without exception, shall he smitten with the second death, and his friends be exalted to eternal glory and felicity. What terror will he seen in that day ! what weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth among the objects of his displeasure! and what exultation and triumph amongst those who shall be the monuments…
453 wordsSECTION 363Redemption Of The First-Born.
" believe in him," and " live upon him," and " dwell in him," as our sure and only deliverer from the wrath to come.] 2. The importance of inquiring into our state before God — [The generality go to their rest as securely as the Egyp- tians did, unawed by the threatenings of Almighty God, and unconscious of the d…
430 wordsSECTION 364386 Exodus, Xiii. 14—16. [79.
born were slain. If we reckon that every Israelite had two sons, as well as daughters, (which, consi- dering the care that had been taken to destroy all the male children, may be taken as a fair average,) and one out of those sons had been slain, we may calcu- late, that not above one third of that nation would e…
361 wordsSECTION 36579.1 Redemption Of The First-Born. 387
misery from which we are redeemed the death, not of a few enemies, but of God's only dear Son, by which that redemption is effected and the blessedness to which, both in this world and the next, we are brought forth and all comparison fails : their mercy in comparison of ours is only as the light of a glow-worm to…
461 wordsSECTION 366388 Exodus, Xiii. 14—16. [79.
with a price," says the Apostle : from whence his inference is, " Therefore we must glorify God with our body and our spirit, which are hise." And in another place he expresses the same idea in terms still more accommodated to the language of our text ; "I beseech you," says he, " by the mercies of God, that ye pr…
866 wordsSECTION 367390 Exodus, Xiii. 17, 18. [80.
1 Rev. xiv. 4. The redeemed are to " follow the Lamb whither- soever he goeth." k Exod. xii. 26. and xiii. 8. and Josh. iv. G, 7. god's condescension to his people's weakness. Exod. xiii. 17, 18. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the zvag of the land of the Phi…
651 wordsSECTION 368392 Exodus, Xiii. 17, 18. [80.
if he knew that he could not finally prevail against them, would not cease to harass them to the utmost of his power And their own hearts, if they had no other enemy to encounter, would afford them many occasions for labour and sorrow To every person that is desirous of reaching the promised land, this life is a s…
711 wordsSECTION 369392 Exodus, Xiii. 17, 18. [80.
e Numb. xiv. 2 — 4. f 1 Sam. xxvii. 1. R 1 Kings xix. 1 — 3. » Mark iv. 38. j Luke ix. 34. k 2 Tim.i. 12. ' Rom. viii. 28. 80.] god's condescension to his people. 393 is graciously pleased to hide from them at the present the trials which they will hereafter sustain, well knowing that they would be too much discou…
532 wordsSECTION 370The Pillar And The Cloud.
reference to them we may say, " You shall hear a voice behind you, saying, Tins is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand or turn to the lefta." If your situation be pain- ful at the present, or even contrary to what you have expected, do not hastily conclude that God has forsaken you. The way in w…
416 wordsSECTION 37181."] The Pillar And The Cloud. 395
I. The mercy vouchsafed to them — This was, 1. Most signal — [Never was there any thing like it from the foundation of the world. God had revealed himself to several in dreams and visions, and under the appearances of men and angels: but never in a visible stationary form, like that before us. By this cloud he g…
449 wordsSECTION 372396 Exodus, Xiii. 21, 22. [81.
covenant; and declares that they were "baptized unto Moses in that cloud," as we are " baptized by water unto Christ f." It was, moreover, an emblem of yet richer mercies. We cannot suppose that, under that typical dispensation, so im- portant a circumstance as this was destitute of any spiritual meaning. Indeed i…
427 wordsSECTION 37381.1 The Pillar And The Cloud. 397
wings*. But it is thus that God yet watches over his re- deemed people1. " Lo, I am with you alway," says he, " even to the end of the world"1."] 3. His inviolable fidelity — [It was from a regard to the promise which he had made to Abraham, and from a concern for his own honour, that God would not cast them off.…
466 wordsSECTION 374The Command Given To The Israelites In Their Straits.
Exod. xiv. 15. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. IT is truly said by the prophet, " He that believeth shall not make haste ; " that is, he shall not yield to any fears, so as to be driven by them to adopt any hasty or improper measures for his deliverance. We may say on the other hand, He t…
331 wordsSECTION 37582.1 God'S Command In Israels Difficulty. 399
Canaan, lest they should, in their unprepared state, be discouraged by entering into immediate contests with the warlike Philistines3, so he sometimes leads his people now in a comparatively safe and easy path. But generally speaking we must expect difficulties- fit cannot be thought that Satan will relinquish Ins…
478 wordsSECTION 376400 Exodus, Xiv. 15. [82.
temptations will recur ; and our natural indisposition to holy exercises will shew itself ; however much we are on our guard, and however diligently we address ourselves to the great work that is before us. If even the Apostle Paul, after so many years spent in the service of his God, had reason to complain of " a…
854 wordsSECTION 377402 Exodus, Xiv. 15. [82.
If you need any thing else to encourage you, look at " the cloud of witnesses" that are now in heaven, with palms in their hands, and crowns on their heads, and everlasting songs of triumph in their mouths : were not they once in your state, conflicting with the same enemies, and complaining of the same discourage…
846 wordsSECTION 378404 Exodus, Xiv. 31. [83.
b 1 Kings xx. 11. c Rom. viii. 35—39. d Isai. 1. 7—9. Israel's deliverance at the red sea. Exod. xiv. 31. And Israel saw that yreat work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians : and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. THE state of man on earth is diversified with trials and de…
804 wordsSECTION 37940G Exodus, Xiv. 31. [83.
Let us now proceed to notice, II. The effect it produced — Stupid and insensible as that nation had shewn themselves in the midst of all the mercies vouchsafed to them in Egypt, they could not but be affected with this. Accordingly we find that, on seeing the hand of God thus stretched out for them, they began to…
653 wordsSECTION 380The Character Of God.
«J 2 Cor. v. 14, 1"). e John ii. 11, 23, 24. f Acts viii. 13. determine, since God himself has declared it to us&. The re- demption of the world by Christ's obedience unto death, and ' our consequent deliverance from death and hell, should never be far from our thoughts. It is so stupendous a work, that it has fil…
378 wordsSECTION 381108 Exodus, Xv. 11. [84.
an apostrophe, addressed to the Deity himself, and ascribing to him the glory due unto his name. To this portion of the hymn we would now direct your more particular attention. It declares that God is, I. To be admired for his holiness — God is essentially and supremely holy— [He is not only called, by way of emi…
417 wordsSECTION 38284.] The Character Of God. 409
celebrated ? See how easily the expectations of his enemies were disappointed, and their bloody purposes were frustrated, by one blast of his displeasure g! ] For this he is greatly to be feared — [For this exercise of his power indeed he was praised ; as well he might be for such a merciful and complete deliveran…
447 wordsSECTION 383The Waters Of Marah Sweetened.
His Church is founded on a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The enemies of our souls may follow us even to the last moment of our lives ; but when the appointed moment is arrived for the completion of all God's promises to us, our souls shall be freed from every assault, and " death and he…
369 wordsSECTION 38485.] The Waters Of Marah Sweetened. 411
[Had the question they put to Moses, been nothing more than a simple interrogation, it had been innocent enough : but it was an unbelieving, passionate complaint. (How often are our words also, or our actions, inoffensive perhaps as to their external form, while, on account of the spirit with which they are blende…
433 wordsSECTION 385412 Exodus, Xv. 24, 25. [85.
waters of a spring, arid the barrenness of the land through which they ran, by a single cruse of salta : and thus also when he restored the serpent-bitten Israelites by the mere sight of a brasen serpent. As to the idea of the tree itself possessing qualities calculated to produce the effect, it cannot for one mom…
424 wordsSECTION 3868'5.^\ The Waters Of Maraii Sweetened. 413
God was to be to them ; but not of what they were to be to God. Now God, having softened their minds by a heavy trial, and conciliated their regards by a miraculous interposi- tion, opens to them the connexion between duty and privilege ; and thereby prepares them for becoming " a holy and peculiar people, zealous…
441 wordsSECTION 387Christ The Healer Of His People.
emotions ; but judge yourselves by the more certain test of a willing and unreserved obedience.] 3. To place an entire and uniform dependence on God— [God may see fit to try us, and to delay the relief that we implore. But let us not entertain hard thoughts of him. From the time of Abraham it has passed into a pr…
362 wordsSECTION 38886.1 Christ The Healer Of His People. 415
yoke : but they were not to cast off obedience to their God. They were, as his redeemed people, to consecrate themselves to him, and to obey his voice in all things: and, according as they performed or neglected their duty to him, he would extend to them his favour, or visit them with his displeasure ; either loa…
371 wordsSECTION 389Ik) Exodus, Xv. 2G. [86.
As God inflicts judgments on his enemies, so does he administer healing to his people : and this he does, 1. In a way of gracious exemption — [The Hebrews were exempted from the various calamities with which Egypt was overwhelmed. And this is particularly noticed in the words preceding my text : " I will put none …
468 wordsSECTION 39086.1 Christ The Healer Of His People. 417
And have there not been times when, by disease or accident, we have been brought low ; and when, if the evil inflicted had been suffered to attain the same resistless power as it has acquired over others, we must have fallen a sacrifice to its assaults ? Whence is it, I would ask, that we have been re- stored to h…
522 wordsSECTION 391^18 Exodus, Xv. 26. [S6.
II. The duty which we owe him in reference to it — This, though already in a measure anticipated, may with great propriety be now more distinctly noticed. 1. We should acknowledge him in the mercies we have received at his hands — [Sure I am, that his preventing goodness is by no means appreciated as it ought to …
469 wordsSECTION 39287.] Scriptural Equality. 419
it to their souls. See our Redeemer in the days of his flesh : was there any disease which he could not cure? Was not even a touch of his garment instantly effectual for one who had spent her all upon physicians, and to no purpose ? Me- thinks I hear one complaining, that sin and Satan have such an entire possessi…
428 wordsSECTION 393420 Exodus, Xvi. 10— 18. [87.
Exod. xvi. 16 — 18. This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded : Gather of it every man according to his eating ; an omer for every man according to the number of your per- sons: take ye every man for them which are in his tents. E e 2 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. An…
413 wordsSECTION 39487.] Scriptural Equality. 421
it is the more curious, because it occurred, not occa- sionally in a few instances, but continually, for forty years, through the whole camp of Israel. It arose, I apprehend, 1. From God's merciful disposition towards them — [A variety of circumstances might occur from time to time to prevent some heads of famili…
452 wordsSECTION 395422 Exodus, Xvi. 1G— 18. [87.
might be a supply for the wants of others ; who, in return, might supply their wants, in case circumstances should arise to admit of it and require it ; that so there might be, under all circumstances, an equality: as it is written, "He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had n…
431 wordsSECTION 39687.] Scriptural Equality. 4*£3
1. Our privilege as Believers — [Believers now feed on Christ, as the whole Jewish nation fed upon the manna : and from day to day it is found, that " they who gather much nave nothing over ; and they who gather little have no lack." In the Church of God at this day persons are very differently circumstanced; some…
492 wordsSECTION 397424 Exodus, Xvi. 16—18. [87.
had no superabundance of grace, " your strength has been according to your day."] 2. Our duty, as Saints — [All, whilst they judged their first offices due to those who were immediately dependent on them, considered them- selves as members of one great family, and bound to admi- nister help to all whose necessiti…
457 wordsSECTION 39887.] Scriptural Equality. 425
one amongst them : with this they were to be content ; and with a similar portion should we also be content1". Hear St. Paul's experience on this subject: "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased ; and I know how to abound : everywhere, and in all things, I am…
484 wordsSECTION 399Sending Of The Manna.
and in deep poverty themselves, they yet abounded unto the riches of liberality ; being willing to give not only to their power, but beyond their power, and praying him with much entreaty to take upon him the office of dispensing their alms to their afflicted brethren*1." Nay more, he proposes to us the example of…
357 wordsSECTION 40088.] Sending Of The Manna. 427
him in a most impious manner, wishing that he had involved them in the judgments which had desolated Egypt, rather than that he should have brought them into their present difficulties a. And though their complaints were directed professedly only against Moses and Aaron, they were, in fact, against God himself, by…
472 wordsSECTION 401428 Exodus, Xvi. 35. [88.
for us in ten thousand dangers, and supplied our continually returning wants — ] The peculiar interposition of God in relation to it deserves also particular notice — [It was so ordered by his providence, that, when the mem- bers of the different families had put together the portions which they had severally col…
408 wordsSECTION 40289.] Moses Striking The Rock. 429
[What have we done to merit the gift of God's dear Son ? We were rebels against the Majesty of heaven, and deserved nothing but "wrath and fiery indignation to consume us " The manna rained round the tents of the murmuring Israelites was not more freely given, than Christ is sent to us, and salva- tion by him is o…
341 wordsSECTION 403430 Exodus, Xvii. 5, G. [89.
Exod. xvii. 5, 6. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel: and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and (jo. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb: and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water o…
801 wordsSECTION 404432 Exodus, Xvii. 11. [90.
2. All-sufficient — [" The water gushed out of the stricken rock, and flowed like a river ; so that it abundantly supplied the whole camp of Israel, (both men and beasts,) following them in all their jour- neyings for the space of eight and thirty years. And who ever lacked, that has once drunk of the water that C…
727 wordsSECTION 405434 Exodus, Xvii. 11. [90.
2. In the commander under whom they fought — [Joshua was appointed to set the army in array, and lead them out to battle. Now the very name of Joshua is precisely the same with that of Jesus a, who is " given to us of God to be our leader and commander15." He is " the Captain of our salvation," under whom we are e…
586 wordsSECTION 40690.] Christian Experience Typified. 435
[The Israelites in this very first encounter were at times repulsed; and victory was long held in suspense, before it was finally declared in their favour. Thus we must expect, that our enemies, though frequently beaten, will return to the charge, and often threaten our very destruction. But, if wounded, we must a…
449 wordsSECTION 407436 Exodus, Xix. 3—6. [91.
" came not to send peace on earth, but a sword :" and though he may, in some instances, cause our enemies to be at peace with us, yet will they never be so much at peace, but that we shall have many to contend with: or, if men should cease from troubling us, we shall have enough, both from Satan and our own lusts,…
304 wordsSECTION 408Moses' Message To The Israelites.
Exod. xix. 3—6. And Moses went tip unto God : and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus sh alt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel ; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles wings, and brought you unto myself Now therefore, if ye will…
517 wordsSECTION 409438 Exodus, Xix. 3—6. [91.
repeated deliverances Consider also, how many have within a few months or years been summoned into the pre- sence of their God, whilst we have yet our lives prolonged, and further space given us for repentance Could we but realize these thoughts, we should see that not even the Israel- ites themselves had more rea…
424 wordsSECTION 41091.1 Moses' Message To The Israelites. 439
These are the blessings promised to men under the Gospel ; and it will be utterly our own fault if we be not partakers of them.] But these blessings must be sought for in God's appointed way. Let us therefore consider, III. The terms upon which he will bestow them upon us — The promises of God to Israel were alt…
434 wordsSECTION 411410 Exodus, Xix. 3— G. [91.
are the terms on which we shall enjoy all the privileges of God's chosen people: and, though it is true that " without Christ we can do nothing," it is also true, that the only way in which we ever can attain happiness, is, by repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is ready to save us a…
469 wordsSECTION 412The Giving Of The Law.
enough to make this reply in words ; but is it not the language of your hearts and lives ? Must we not carry this report to Godr? O that you would hearken to God's voice, before it be too lates! But we trust there are some of a better mind amongst us, some who cordially assent to whatever God has been pleased to …
387 wordsSECTION 413442 Exodus, Xx. 18, 19. [92.
law, we do not now stop to inquire a: that to which we would draw your attention is, the manner of its promulgation. In the preceding chapter we are in- formed of all those particulars which are briefly recapitulated in our text. On contemplating that tremendous scene, we are naturally led to inquire, Why did God…
454 wordsSECTION 41492.] The Giving Of The Law. 443
covenant. — Happy would it be for us, if we availed ourselves of these instructive intimations, to renounce that covenant which consigns us over unto death, and to embrace that better covenant which is revealed to us in the Gospel !] III. To make them feel their need of a Mediator — [The people, who but just befor…
439 wordsSECTION 415On Circumspection.
[Terrible as the appearance and the voice of God were on that occasion, his appearance in the clay of judgment will be infinitely more tremendous " Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord, we would persuade you" to turn unto him, ere it be too late. We wish however to produce in you, not a slavish, but a filial …
334 wordsSECTION 41693.] On Circumspection. 445
duly followed, will suffice to direct our conduct ; yet we must have a very considerable knowledge of the Scriptures, and a well-regulated mind, in order to ascertain clearly the will of God. It not unfrequently happens that one duty seems to interfere with another ; as when a work of mercy calls for a violation o…
500 wordsSECTION 41744G Exodus, Xxiii. 13. [93.
command, was punished on account of the base principle by which he was influenced in performing it. He did well in extirpating the seed of Ahab, and was rewarded for it to the fourth generation': but forasmuch as he was actuated by vanity and ambition, the blood which he shed was imputed to him as murder g. Nor is…
397 wordsSECTION 41893.] °N Circumspection. 447
would serve God aright in any thing, we must be circumspect in every tiling.] 3. An inattention to smaller duties will lead to a violation of the greatest — [Who shall say, where we shall stop, if once we begin to trifle with God? Eve little thought to what she should be brought by only listening to the suggestio…
462 wordsSECTION 419448 Exodus, Xxiii. 13. [93.
Address, 1 . Those who ridicule the circumspection of others — [To what end has God commanded us to be circumspect, if we are not to regard the injunction? Do you suppose that you are to annul his commands, and to establish rules of con- duct that are contrary to his ? Or, if you are presumptuous enough to do so …
430 wordsSECTION 420The Danger Of Wilful And Obstinate Disobedience.
Exod. xxiii. 20 — 22. Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, pro- voke him not: for he will not pardon your transgressions : for my name is in him. But, if thou shall indeed obey his voice, and do all …
372 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.