PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 1 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 313,334 words · 642 reading sections
450 Exodus, Xxiii. 20—22. [94.
mansions for us" alsof; and will surely bring us to the full possession of them g.] But as this office of Christ implies a correspondent duty in us, God suggests, II. A caution against neglecting him — We are much in danger of displeasing him — [As our guide, he expects implicit obedience. Nor can we rebel again…
331 wordsSECTION 42294.1 The Danger Of Wilful Disobedience. 451
on their behalf". He will not fail to secure them the victory over all their enemies.] Address, 1. Those who disregard the voice of this divine Messenger — [From what is spoken of his mercy you are ready to think him destitute of justice. And from the depth of his conde- scension you conclude he will not vindica…
388 wordsSECTION 423The Victories Of Israel Gradual And Progressive.
xcv. Exod. xxiii. 29, 30. / will not drive them out from before thee in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little will I drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased and inherit the land. THE more we investigate the dispensations of…
348 wordsSECTION 42495. J The Victories Of Israel Progressive. 453
quickly multiply, and speedily desolate the whole land. True, indeed, God could, if it should so please him, interpose by miracle to change the ferocity of the most savage animals : but that was no part of his plan. He permitted, therefore, vast multitudes of the devoted nations yet to live, that so they might, fo…
467 wordsSECTION 425454 Exodus, Xxiii. 29, 30. [95.
remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover, it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto themc." Joshua also, at the close of his life, reminded them, that " no man had been able to stand be- fore them …
443 wordsSECTION 42695.] The Victories Of Israel Progressive. 4575
warring against the law in our minds, and too often bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our members8." Now whence is it, that God suffers his people to be yet harassed with the remains of sin ? He suffers it, 1. For our deeper humiliation — [The sins of our unconverted state may well humble u…
464 wordsSECTION 427456 Exodus, Xxiii. 29, 30. [95.
of shewing his fidelity, his zeal, his love, his gratitude : but being called " to fight a good fight," and having approved himself " a good soldier of Jesus Christ," he shall receive, together with the approbation of his Lord, a brighter crown, and a more glorious inheritance, than could have been awarded to him …
467 wordsSECTION 42895.1 The Victories Of Israel Progressive. 457
persevered with the same zeal and diligence as they exercised on their first entrance into Canaan, and pursued with unrelenting energy those whom they had been commanded to destroy, their occupation of the land had been far more peaceful and entire. And so, if we, from our first conversion to God, had maintained w…
497 wordsSECTION 429God'S Covenant With Israel.
shall come to that better land, where " there shall no more be the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts." Even in this world we are taught that such a period shall arrive r : but, if not permitted to behold it here, we shall assuredly behold it in the world above, where " former things shall have passed awa…
777 wordsSECTION 430460 Exodus, Xxiv. 6—8. [96.
a Exod. xix. 8. and xxiv. 3. b " We will do, and be obedient." c In Abraham's time, Gen. xv. 9, 10, 17; in David's, Ps. 1. 5; in Jeremiah's, Jer. xxxiv. 18 — 20. A similar custom obtained also among the Greeks. After having duly considered this covenant as made with Israel, it will be proper to view it, II. As ty…
456 wordsSECTION 43196.] God'S Covenant With Israel. 401
efficacy that transcends all conception. It has reconciled God to a guilty world : and, when sprinkled on the hearts of men by faith, it fills them with " a peace which passeth all under- standing." And as Moses, in the quality of God's high-priest, sprinkled the blood both upon the altar and the people, so does o…
508 wordsSECTION 4324G2 Exodus, Xxiv. G— 8. [90.
that we may be accepted with the publican, and not be re- jected with the Pharisee. Lastly, let us guard against their self-dependence. They never doubted but that they were able to do all that was com- manded them. They thought it was as easy to perform as to promise. But in a very few days they provoked God to …
569 wordsSECTION 433464 Exodus, Xxiv. 11. [97.
Exod. xxiv. 11. They saw God, and did eat and drink. GOD is every where present, but no where visible, unless he please to draw aside the veil, and reveal himself to us. It is in heaven alone that his unveiled glory is continually seen. There have however in former times been many occasions whereon he has discove…
693 wordsSECTION 43497.1 A Sight Of God Is A Feast To The Soul. 465
a ver. 4. b Heb. ix. 18—23. c ver. 10. preceding context is expressly quoted, and that too with some additional circumstances not related by Moses d: and we are told that the event there referred to, was " a pattern of the heavenly things," which we enjoy under the Gospel. The view which we have of the Deity, prio…
715 wordsSECTION 43598.] The Command To Build The Tabernacle. 407
Address, 1. Those who are afar off from God — [The prohibition given to the Israelites, is cancelled with respect to you. The veil of the temple was rent in twain at the death of Christ, in token that a new and living way was opened to all, and that all who believed, were constituted " a royal priesthood1"." Will…
572 wordsSECTION 436468 Exodus, Xxv. 8. 9. [98.
Exod. xxv. 8, 9. Let them make me a sanctuary ; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the in- struments thereof, even so shall ye make it. THE more minutely we consider the Mosaic eco- nomy, the more we find it fraught with the r…
466 wordsSECTION 43798.] The Command To Build The Tabernacle. 4G9
Moses repeatedly, and with very peculiar force and emphasise and his strict adherence to it in every particular is, in the last chapter of this book, mentioned no less than eight times, once after every separate piece of furniture that was madeb. In the New Testament too his compliance with the command is re- peat…
475 wordsSECTION 438470 Exodus, Xxv. 8, 9. [98.
testimony of those things which were to be spoken after ; but Christ as a Son over his own house: whose house are WEh." The truth is, that " God dwelleth not in temples made with hands." Even while his tabernacle and temple were yet standing, God testified respecting them, that the temple which alone he regarded, …
553 wordsSECTION 439Xcix.
aaron's breast-plate. Exod. xxviii. 29, 30. And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. And thou shall put in the breast-plate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and th…
316 wordsSECTION 440472 Exodus, Xxviii. 29, 30. [99.
communicated his mind and judgment to Mm respecting the children of Israel. Within this breast-plate were placed the Urim and the Thum- mim. What these were, we are not informed. Many have thought, that they were not distinct from the stones : and that the terms Urim and Thummim merely designated the use to which…
679 wordsSECTION 441472 Exodus, Xxviii. 29, 30. [99.
But we shall have a very inadequate notion of the breast-plate, unless we understand, II. Its typical intent — Few are so ignorant as to need to be informed, that Christ is our great High-Priest. Now the breast- plate, of which we have been speaking, was designed to represent, 1. What Christ is doing for us — […
251 wordsSECTION 442474 Exodus, Xxviii. 29, 30. [99.
could not cast them out of his thoughts, or be deaf to the intercessions of our great High-Priest. Here then is the security of all the children of Israel : " they have a great High-Priest, who is passed into the hea- vens, Jesus, the Son of God," who has undertaken their cause, and is their Advocate with the Fath…
650 wordsSECTION 443476 Exodus, Xxviii. 36—38. [100.
aaron's mitre. Exod. xxviii. 36 — 38. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, holiness to the lord. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre: upon the fore-front of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron s forehead, that A…
677 wordsSECTION 444476 Exodus, Xxviii. 36—38. [100.
III. Its efficacy in our behalf — [The people's services were, through this typical holiness of their high-priest, accepted of God, notwithstanding the imperfection of them : nor shall ours be despised, if we trust in the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus. This was beautifully represented under the Mosaic dis…
332 wordsSECTION 445The Altar Of Incense.
Exod. xxx. 7 — 10. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet in- cense every morning : tohen he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall bum incense upon it ; a perpetual incense before the Lord, throughout your generations. Ye shall offer no strange incense t…
353 wordsSECTION 446101.] The Altar Of Incense. 479
1. Its daily use — [Aaron himself in the first instance, and afterwards other priests in their courses1, was to trim the lamps every morning and evening, and to light any of them that might have gone out. At these seasons, he was to take fire from the altar of burnt-offering, and to put it on a censer, and to burn…
482 wordsSECTION 447480 Exodus, Xxx. 7—10. [101.
bullocks, and not either of goats or lambs : for in the very same offering which was made for sins of ignorance, the blood of bullocks which was shed for a priest, and for the whole congre- gation, was put upon the horns of the altar of incense ; whereas that which was shed for a ruler, or a common person, which wa…
524 wordsSECTION 448101. 3 The Altar Of Incense. 481
I have observed, that we may yet further consider this ordinance, II. As an emblematic rite — In this view it marks, 1. The privilege of Christians — [We have before said, that common priests were ordained to officiate at this altar. And are not we "a royal priest- hood'1?" Are not we " made kings and priests un…
478 wordsSECTION 449482 Exodus, Xxx. 7—10. [10 1.
prayers are offered on the altar of incense, our pleas must be taken solely from the altar of burnt-offering, even from the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, " by whom alone our offer- ings can ascend to Godb," and " through whom alone they can be acceptable in his sightc." In this manner we are to approach God,…
516 wordsSECTION 450101.] The Altar Of Incense. 483
to God with a true heart, we may also approach him with full assurance of faith"."] Let us see here, 1. How highly we are privileged under the Chris- tian dispensation — [The Jews were privileged, and highly too, in comparison of all the nations of the earth, in that they had ordinances of divine appointment, in…
436 wordsSECTION 451The Atonement-Money.
Exod. xxx. 14 — 10. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord : the rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. And tho…
353 wordsSECTION 452102.1 The Atonement-Money. 485
does not feel this? There are many things in this world the value of which is purely imaginary, and depends upon the taste of the possessor : but the worth of the soul is real: the poorest of men has as deep an interest in the welfare of his own soul as the richest : heaven is as desirable, and hell as terrible, to…
517 wordsSECTION 453186 Exodus, Xxx. 14—16. [102.
ation and faith can purchase nothing ; but only manifest our cordial acquiescence in the way of salvation provided for us.] It will be yet further instructive to consider, II. The use and application of the tax — The tax was intended, 1. To obtain acceptance for the offerers — [The very terms " ransom," and " ato…
445 wordsSECTION 454102.1 The Atonement-Money. 487
do they who flee to Christ for refuge, testify to all around them, that there is salvation in Him, and in him alone.] 3. To give honour unto God — [It was by these offerings, that the various services of the tabernacle (by which above all things God was honoured) were maintained. And who are they that now honour G…
405 wordsSECTION 455The Anointing Oil.
4. Not children — [Persons under twenty years of age were not deemed strong enough for war, and therefore were passed over. But who shall say at what age our responsibility to God begins ? Who shall assign the limit at which God will " wink at," or condemn, the transgressions of his law ? Surely this were pre- su…
395 wordsSECTION 456103.] The Anointing Oil. 481)
But it is remarkable, that after the Babylonish captivity this ointment, so far as we are informed, was never made. And this seems to have been per- mitted of God, in order to direct their minds to that richer unction, which they were to receive from their Messiah. Previous to the time of Christ, the Holy Spirit …
402 wordsSECTION 457490 Exodus, Xxx. 25—31. [103.
[What are the ordinances of religion, or what the souls of men, without the Holy Spirit ? The one are an empty form ; and the other, " a cage of every unclean bird." Regard us as men, and every thing we do is defiled before God. But con- sider us as priests, for into that office every true Christian in the univers…
437 wordsSECTION 458103.] The Anointing Oil. 491
[Every vessel that was anointed with that ointment, im- parted a sanctity to every thing with which it came in contact1. And thus, in like manner, every true Christian communicates to others, so far as his influence extends, the same divine principles which he himself has imbibed. As it was said of the Saviour, so…
474 wordsSECTION 459God The Source Of All Wisdom.
likewise, my brethren, if you have been indeed anointed with the Spirit of God, must shew that superiority to earthly things, which would be in vain looked for from the natural and uncon- verted man. Very striking is that expression of Solomon, " Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stin…
382 wordsSECTION 460104.] «Od The Source Of All Wisdom. 493
he commanded a tabernacle to be reared, and to be furnished with a great diversity of vessels proper for his service. The most costly materials were to be used, and the most exquisite workmanship employed, in the structure of the whole. But where should all the materials be found ? Behold ! the Egyptians themselv…
373 wordsSECTION 461494 Exodus, Xxxi. 6. [104.
which have been withheld from others, we must ascribe that also to God, who in this respect, also, has made us to differ. The Scriptures trace to this same source the wisdom manifested by the husbandman in ploughing his ground and threshing out the corn : " Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open the cl…
509 wordsSECTION 462104.1 G0D The Source Of All Wisdom. 495
enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling"1." To him, then, must every man look for wisdom : and from him shall every man receive it, who seeks it in a becoming waye. As Bezaleel and Aholiab were instructed at once how to per- form all manner of work ; and as the disciples of Christ, poor unedu…
444 wordsSECTION 463496 Exodus, Xxxi. 6, [104.
heaven that deserves a thought? If the forming of the shadows of divine truth was a just employment of supernatural skill, doubtless an exhibition of the substance may profitably engage all the talents that were ever confided to mortal man.] To all, then, I would say, 1. Acknowledge God in all the talents you poss…
489 wordsSECTION 464Golden Calf.
honour. Go on then, all of you, both in your individual and collective capacity, without intermission and without weari- ness : so shall the work proceed to the honour of our God, and a rich recoinpence be treasured up for your own souls.] cv. Exod. xxxii. 19, 20. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto…
378 wordsSECTION 465498 Exodus, Xxxii. 19, 20. [105.
what impiety they were committing. Moses, there- fore, hastened down from the mount : and, filled with indignation against them for their wickedness, he testified his displeasure in the way recorded in our text. Let us consider, I. The grounds of his indignation — The worshipping of the golden calf was a sin of …
456 wordsSECTION 466105.] Moses' Indignation Against The Idolaters. 1 )!)
Here, then, was ample occasion for the hot displeasure of Moses.] And is there no similar evil prevalent amongst us ? [As Protestants, we have discarded the idolatrous prac- tices of the Church of Rome. But we may " set up idols in our hearts'," as well as in our houses : we may have the love of money there ; and…
473 wordsSECTION 467500 Exodus, Xxxii. 19, 20. [105.
Judge ye, then, whether God may not well be filled with indignation against us, as he was against his less enlightened and less indebted people of that day ?] Having seen the grounds of Moses' indignation, let us proceed to mark, II. His expressions of it — 1. He broke before their eyes the tables of the Law, wh…
470 wordsSECTION 468105.1 Moses' Indignation Against The Idolaters. 501
2. He ground the calf to powder, and constrained the people to swallow it with their drink — [We need not look for any recondite mystery in this, because the obvious effect of the act itself was sufficiently in- structive. No greater indignity could be offered to this worth- less idol, than that which he devised ;…
478 wordsSECTION 469502 Exodus, Xxxii. 19, 20. [105.
not the anger of my Lord wax hot : thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief." (This was a reason why he should have withstood them, and not a reason for concurring with them.) Again, " The people said to me, Make us gods who shall go before us. Then I said to them, Whosoever hath any gold, let him br…
530 wordsSECTION 470The Lord'S People To Be Decided And Firm.
Exod. xxxii. 26. Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. THESE are the words of Moses: and they were spoken on a very particular occasion. Whilst he had tarried on the top of Mount Sinai for the space of forty days, Aaron and the people of Israel, despairing of his return, had made a golden calf to repre…
336 wordsSECTION 471504 Exodus, Xxxii. 26. [106.
Now, let it not for a moment be imagined that God's faithful servants are called to any such office now. Christianity provides no such bloody employ- ment for its votaries: it consigns the sword altogether to the civil magistrate, who alone is empowered to use it for the punishment of evil-doers. Still, however, t…
919 wordsSECTION 472506 Exodus, Xxxii. 26. [106.
To this I will add some observations on, II. The direction given — Moses, in calling to him the faithful servants of the Lord, shewed, that the Lord's people should on all occasions manifest, 1. A readiness to confess him — [Neither the authority of Aaron, nor the rage of all Israel, was to deter any one from sh…
1,042 wordsSECTION 473508 Exodus, Xxxii. 31—33. [107.
brethren. So in a few more hours may the most thoughtless amongst you be consigned over to the jaws of death, by the hands of an angry and avenging God. Oh ! may God awaken you to your condition ere it be too late ! and may you be found of that party, of which God himself is the acknowledged and eternal Head !] 2…
384 wordsSECTION 474107.1 Moses Intercedes For Israel. 509
Exod. xxxii. 31 — 33. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold ! Yet now, if thou ivilt forgive their sin — ,• and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned a…
487 wordsSECTION 475510 Exodus, Xxxii. 31—33. [107.
frivolous and even false excuses b. "Well might Moses lament before God, " Oh! this people have sinned a great sin!"'] But the greatness of the sin will be more easily imagined from the indignation which both God and Moses expressed against it — [The wrath of God, we are told, was " fierce, and waxed hot" against…
425 wordsSECTION 476107.] Moses Intercedes For Israel. 511
[The prohibition, " Let me alone," operated on his mind rather as an encouragement to intercede ; because it seemed to say, If you intercede for them, my hands are tied; and I can- not execute upon them my threatened vengeance. He fell down instantly before God, and urged in their behalf every plea which was suite…
468 wordsSECTION 477512 Exodus, Xxxii. 31—33. [107.
God condescended to remit the punishment of their iniquity — [At the very first intercession of Moses, God repented of the evil which he had thought to do unto his people d ; and, in answer to the last, he renewed his commission to Moses to lead them to the promised land : and, though he withdrew himself from the…
459 wordsSECTION 478107.1 Moses Intercedes For Israel. .513
personal repentance, and humble affiance in the Lord Jesus Christ.] From this subject we may learn, 1. What an evil and bitter thing sin is — [The Israelites might have excused themselves by saying, as the Papists do respecting their images, that they did not intend to make a god of the golden calf, but only to u…
474 wordsSECTION 479514 Exodus, Xxxiii. 5,6. [108.
to ourselves the benevolent exercise of Moses, whilst the thoughtless Israelites were revelling in security. In that then let us view what has been taking place in heaven on our behalf. We have been sinning against God, a stiff-necked and rebellious generation : and many times has the decree gone forth, " Cut them…
307 wordsSECTION 480108.1 Repentance Of The Israelites. 515
Exod. xxxiii. 5, 6. Therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the chil- dren of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, by the Mount Horeb. THAT which is principally required of Ministers, is fidelity a, to dispense the word of God aright, with- out courting t…
469 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.