PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 2 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 273,224 words · 589 reading sections
192 Numbers, Xxxv. 24—28. [184.
to go out of it : if the avenger should at any time find him without the borders of the city, he was at liberty to kill him. This imprisonment continued during the life of the high-priest ; but at his death it ceased ; and the slayer was at liberty to return to his family and friends. This part of the ordinance wa…
368 wordsSECTION 182184.1 The Cities Of Refuge. 193
unwittingly slain his neighbour, yet he must leave all that was dear to him, and flee in danger of his life to the city of refuge, and continue there a prisoner, perhaps as long as he lived, and certainly to the death of the high-priest : nor could his confinement there be dispensed with : there was no more commut…
404 wordsSECTION 183194 Numbers, Xxxv. 24—28. [184.
1 allude to the murders that are committed in duels, and which have greatly, and increasingly, defiled our land. It has been said, and with too much reason, that our laws are sanguinary. They doubtless are so in many instances ; but on the subject of duelling, whether from the laws themselves, or from the in- flu…
413 wordsSECTION 184184.1 The Cities Of Refuge. 195
may trace our present dangers to the insatiable am- bition of a tyrant: but in our case, as well as theirs, it is certain, that " at the commandment of the Lord all this is come upon us :" and the same reason also may be assigned, " Our land is denied with blood," with the blood of thousands of our fellow-creature…
368 wordsSECTION 185196 Numbers, Xxxv. 24—28. [184.
fully, and the parallel drawn by an infallible hand. What was less necessary, was merely referred to, without any express delineation of its import; its signification being clearly to be gathered from the light reflected on other parts, and from the analogy of faith. There is not much said respecting the typical i…
368 wordsSECTION 186184.] The Cities Of Refuge. 197
us for our transgressions. Whether our transgressions have been more or less heinous, his right is the same, and our danger is the same, if we be overtaken by his avenging arm. We may urge many pleas in extenuation of our guilt ; but they will be of no avail. We may not have been so bad as others ; but we "all ha…
362 wordsSECTION 187198 Numbers, Xxxv. 24—28. [184.
the city, and defy the threats of his adversary: for the whole city were pledged for his security. And may not the sinner, who has taken refuge in Christ, behold without alarm the threatenings of the law, secured as he is by the promise and oath of Jehovah ? From the city of refuge indeed they who had com- mitted…
381 wordsSECTION 188184.1 The Cities Of Refuge. 199
entreat you all to flee from the wrath to come. Let these principles be universally acknowledged amongst us, and deeply rooted in our hearts — That there is no refuge but in Christ — That all self-righteous methods of obtaining mercy will prove fallacious — That every one must feel his guilt and danger, and, like…
392 wordsSECTION 189200 Numbers, Xxxv. 24—28. [184.
which arise out of existing circumstances, and are peculiarly worthy of our attention. That our ene- mies are Jehovah's sword, and that he is come forth against us as an avenger, cannot but be confessed : but whether it be for our chastisement only, or for our utter destruction, none can tell. One thing how- ever…
380 wordsSECTION 190184.1 The Cities Of Refuge. 201
exhort all in the first place to flee for refuge to the hope set before them, we would also exhort them to stand forth manfully against the enemy ; to regard neither time, nor labour, nor property, no, nor life itself, so that they may but help forward to the uttermost their country's cause. And though the occupa…
252 wordsSECTION 191The Prosperity Of Zion Desired.
Deut. i. 11. The Lord God of your fathers make you a thou- sand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you ! TO decline any measure of exertion in behalf of persons committed to our care, may appear to argue a want of love to them. But there are certain bounds beyond which a man cannot g…
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generation which had arisen in the wilderness might, by a special recapitulation of those events, have them the more deeply impressed on their minds, and be stirred up by the remembrance of them to serve their God with more fidelity than their fathers had done. The appointment of these inferior judges was one of …
373 wordsSECTION 193204 Deuteronomy, I. 11. [185.
above their fathersV His blessings, too, shall be richly poured out upon them, not only as they were in Canaan, in the days of David and Solomon, but in a measure that can scarcely be conceived. Even in a temporal view, I apprehend, the magnificent descriptions of the prophets will be realized c ; but in a spiritu…
478 wordsSECTION 194185.] The Prosperity Of Zion Desired. 205
tiply his people a thousand-fold, and bless them, as he has promised them !" If any of you need a stimulus to concur in this wish, reflect on, 1. The benefit that will accrue to every converted soul — - [Were we to contemplate a soul actually taken out of hell, and translated to a throne of glory in heaven, we sh…
472 wordsSECTION 195206 Deuteronomy, I. 11. [185.
Now, too, he begins to live unto his God, and by every pos- sible means to exalt his glory in the world, acknowledging him in all things, serving him in all things, glorifying him in all things. Is there a man that is in any respect sensible of his obligations to God, and not desirous that such converts should be …
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thee : for this thing is too heavy for thee : thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice : I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee." And then he proceeds to advise, that he should provide, out of all the people, a number of pious and able men to co-operate with him in the…
483 wordsSECTION 197Victory Assured To The True Israel.
Deut. i. 21. Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up, and possess it, as the Lord thy God hath said unto thee: fear not, neither be discouraged. THE journeyings of the Israelites in the wilderness afford an inexhaustible fund of instruction to us. The history of their deliverance from Egypt, …
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tenure on which the land was held, feel a repugnance to the transfer, and to the mode in which the transfer of the land was effected. In relation, however, to the land which we are called to possess, no such feeling can exist. Heaven is the free gift of God to Abraham's spiritual seed, as Canaan was to his natural…
481 wordsSECTION 199210 Deuteronomy, I. 21. [186.
never thought of sending spies to search out the land, and to tell them against what cities they should direct their first efforts. It was a carnal expedient, as the event proved. True it is, that "Moses was well pleased " with the proposal g: but he would not have been well pleased, if he had clearly seen from wh…
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forward in the spirit of the holy Apostle, " If God be for us, who can be against usm?" Hear then, believers, and follow my advice — 1. Survey the land — [See whether it be not the glory of all lands, " a land flowing with milk and honey." Come up to Pisgah, and look down upon it : or rather, I would say, Come up…
488 wordsSECTION 201Clxxxvii.
god's continued mercies to us. Deut. ii. 7. These forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee: thou hast lacked nothing. WHOEVER would enter fully into the doctrine of a divine providence, should study the history of the Israelites in the wilderness. We at this day are ready to imagine, that, however God may…
757 wordsSECTION 202214 Deuteronomy, Ii. 7. [187.
a Deut. xxix. 5. b Deut. viii. 4. c Neh. ix. 20. exemplified in the labours of bees ; from which we may form a just idea of all that is passing in the world. Thousands of persons are employed, daily and hourly, to supply our wants. Little do we think of this. Were we placed for any length of time in a country unin…
488 wordsSECTION 203Gods Continued Mercies To Us. 215
II. Under what circumstances they have been con- tinued to us — If we look at Israel, they will serve as a mirror, to reflect our image to the very life. In them we may see, 1. How great our provocations have been — [Grievously neglectful of their duties were the Israelites, during the whole of their sojourning i…
454 wordsSECTION 204216 Deuteronomy, Ii. 7. [187.
[Notwithstanding all that God did for Israel, yet would they " never believe his wordu." And it was this very thing which most of all provoked him to " swear, that they should never enter into his restx." And what has been our state in this respect ? We have had God's promises and threatenings set before us with a…
451 wordsSECTION 205Moses Views Canaan From Pisgah.
blessings of salvation. His determination is, " Whoso covereth his sins, shall not prosper ; but whoso confesseth, and forsake th them, shall have mercy." Contend, then, with him no longer ; but let " his goodness and long-suffering and forbearance lead you to repentance d."] 3. What need professors of religion, i…
419 wordsSECTION 206218 Deuteronomy, Iii. 23—28. [188.
and love, were never surpassed by any child of man. As an intercessor for the Lord's people, he stands unrivalled. Many were the occasions whereon he prevailed on God to spare that rebellious nation that had been committed to his charge. But behold, this eminent saint, who had so often succeeded in his ap- plicat…
427 wordsSECTION 207188.1 Moses Views Canaan From Pisgah. 219
intimated the irresistible efficacy of prayer. But on this occa- sion he forbade him to " speak to him any more of that matter: " yea, he " sicare to Moses, that he should not go over Jordan3." In tliis refusal there was an awful manifestation of the divine displeasure. It was intended as a punishment both for his …
423 wordsSECTION 208220 Deuteronomy, Iii. 23—28. [188.
the promised land, and beheld in Canaan a figurative represen- tation of that better kingdom, to which he was about to be translated.] 2. An assurance that his place should be success- fully filled by Joshua — [To him was committed the office of instructing, encou- raging, and strengthening Joshua for the arduous…
457 wordsSECTION 209188.1 Moses Views Canaan From Pisgah. 221
warning to us all ; that we provoke not God by our rebellions to withhold from us the blessings we desire, or to inflict upon us the punishments we deserve.] 2. To submit with humility to afflictive dispensa- tions— [When once Moses was informed of the decided purpose of God, he forbore to ask for any alteration …
468 wordsSECTION 210Joshua A Type Of Christ.
in their duties ! Instead of taking occasion from the shortness of their time, to labour with increased diligence, how many yield to their infirmities, and make their weakness an excuse for wilful indolence ! The Lord grant, that no such declensions may take place in any of us ; but that rather " our last days may…
346 wordsSECTION 211189.1 Joshua A Type Of Christ. 223
appeared at the time, we are enabled to discern a propriety and excellency in it. It was altogether of a typical nature : for while he represented the law, Joshua, his successor, was a very eminent type of Christ. The text naturally leads us to shew this: and we shall, I. Trace the resemblance which exists betwee…
407 wordsSECTION 212224 Deuteronomy, Iii. 27, 28. [189.
terms were simply, Do this and liveh: and, for an example of its inexorable rigour, Moses himself was, for one unadvised word, excluded from the land of promise. The office of saving men must belong to another ; and, for this reason, it was trans- ferred to Joshua, who had been both appointed to it, and thoroughly…
467 wordsSECTION 213189.1 Joshua A Type Of Christ. 225
them the heavenly inheritance2. Thus will all of them be put into possession of " that rest, which remained for them3," in the hope and expectation of which they endured the labours of travel, and the fatigues of war.] Having traced the resemblance between Joshua and Christ, I will, II. Take occasion to suggest f…
453 wordsSECTION 214226 Deuteronomy, Iii. 21, 28. [189.
and seek salvation by Christ alone : for " by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified."] 2. To those who are fighting for the possession ofit— [Though Canaan was promised to the Israelites, yet they must fight for it. And you must also fight for the promised inheritance of heaven. Remember however, that …
448 wordsSECTION 215190.1 Moses' Solemn Charge To Israel. 227
enter into covenant with you to spare youk. And, if your submission to him provoke the hostility of the world against you, he will come to your support, and will save you by a great deliverance1; and will make you eternal monuments of his power and grace. Let me also recommend to you the example of Rahab. She cast…
417 wordsSECTION 216228 Deuteronomy, Iv. 7—9. [190.
them in their hearts, and confess them to be " a wise and understanding people." This at least was the opinion of Moses, who from that very consideration urged the Jews to contemplate their high privileges, and to walk worthy of thema. To advance the same blessed end in you, we shall state, I. The peculiar privil…
901 wordsSECTION 217230 Deuteronomy, Iv. 7—9. [190.
Our dispensation too is more excellent than theirs — [We need not to disparage theirs in any respect, in order to raise in our estimation that under which we live. We may give to that all the honour it deserves, and yet not be afraid that ours will suffer any thing in the comparison. Theirs, excel- lent as it was,…
439 wordsSECTION 218190.] Moses' Solemn Charge To Israel. 231
of the kindness expressed in them, and of the obligations con- ferred by thern, is not easily preserved upon the soul. The smallest trifle is sufficient to draw us from heavenly contem- plations, and to engage those affections, which should be exclu- sively fixed on God. Hence Moses bade the people " take heed, le…
513 wordsSECTION 219Excellency Of The Liturgy.3
remember Horeb, shall not we remember Bethlehem, where the Son of God was born into the world ; and Calvary, where he shed his blood ; and Olivet, from whence he ascended up to heaven, and led captive all the powers of darkness ? Yes surely, these great transactions should be dwelt upon, not as mere historical fac…
347 wordsSECTION 220191.] Excellency Of The Liturgy. 233
who is the second Adam, the Promised Seed, the King of Israel. The whole of the Mosaic dispensation was alto- gether figurative, as we see from the Epistle to the Hebrews, in which the figures themselves are illus- trated and explained. But there are some facts which appear too trifling to afford any instruction …
353 wordsSECTION 221234 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
an heart in them !" From hence we are naturally led to set before you The sentiments and dispositions which God approves; — the sentiments ; " They have well said all that they have spoken;" — the dispositions; " O that there were in them such an heart !" I. The sentiments which he approves. Here it will be neces…
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the commendation in our text was unreservedly bestowed. The first thing then to be noticed is, Their acknow- ledgment that they could not stand before the Divine Majesty. Many things had now occurred to produce an extraordinary degree of terror upon their minds. There was a blackness and darkness in the sky, suc…
352 wordsSECTION 223236 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
afterwards was for his well-meant but erroneous zeal in presuming to touch it. The reason of such acts of severity is told us in the history of Nadab and Abihu, who were struck dead for offering strange fire on the altar of their God : they are designed to teach us, " that God will be sanctified in all that come …
388 wordsSECTION 224191.] Excellency Of The Liturgy. 7 237
referring to Christ, and calls upon them to regard him as that very Mediator, whom God had sent in answer to the petitions which had been offered by their fore- fathers at Mount Horebf. Here it should be remembered that we are speak- ing, not from conjecture, but from infallible authority; and that the constructi…
369 wordsSECTION 225238 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
but that they attain that measure of sanctiflcation, that shall fit them for the glory which he has pre- pared for them. But there is far more in this part of our subject than appears at first sight. We will endeavour to enter into it somewhat more minutely, in order to explain what we conceive to be contained in…
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liberated from obedience to it : on the contrary, they engaged, that, whatever God should speak to them by the Mediator, they would listen to it readily, and obey it unreservedly. This was right; and God both approved of it in them, and will approve of it in every child of man. We are afraid of perplexing the sub…
374 wordsSECTION 227240 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
an innumerable company of angels, to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abe…
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whether they cultivated these dispositions or not, we see what dispositions God approves. It is his wish to find in all of us, A reverential fear of God — A love to Jesus as our Mediator — and An unfeigned delight in his commands. First, he desires to find in us A reverential fear of God. That ease, that indiffer…
392 wordsSECTION 229242 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
feareth alwayp." Nor should we shun even the slavish fear, since it is generally the prelude to that which is truly filial ; the spirit of bondage is intended to lead us to a spirit of adoption, whereby we may cry, Abba, Father q. Another ground on which men endeavour to put away the fear of God is, that it argue…
387 wordsSECTION 230191.1 Excellency Of The Liturgy. 243
Christ, who has condescended to mediate between God and us. Were it only that he, like Moses, had revealed to us the will of God in a less terrific way, we ought to love him : but he has done infinitely more for us than Moses could possibly do ; he has not only stood between God and us, but has placed himself in …
396 wordsSECTION 231244 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [191.
When persons hear of our being " delivered from the law," and " dead to the law," they feel a jealousy upon the subject of morality, and begin to fear that we open to men the flood-gates of licentiousness : but their fears are both unnecessary and unscrip- tural ; for the very circumstance of our being deli- vere…
381 wordsSECTION 232Excellency Of The Liturgy.
true holiness there can be no excess. In this we may vie with each other, and strive with all our might. St. Paul says, " This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God might be careful to main- tain (or, as the word imports, to excel in) good wo…
341 wordsSECTION 233246 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [192.
terrific thunders of Mount Sinai ; but covertly it con- veyed an intimation, that we should all seek deliver- ance from the curse of the Law through the mediation of that great Prophet, whom God raised up like unto Moses, even his Son Jesus Christ. The further use which we propose to make of this passage, is only…
364 wordsSECTION 234192.1 Excellency Of The Liturgy. 247
God did prescribe them on several occasions. The words which the priest was to utter in blessing the people of Israel, are thus specified : " Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make his fa…
387 wordsSECTION 235248 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [192.
this sufficiently shews that forms of devotion are not evil in themselves. But some think, that though they were not evil under the Jewish dispensation, which consisted alto- gether of rites and carnal ordinances, they are evil under the more spiritual dispensation of the Gospel. This however cannot be ; because …
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to sing by turns a hymn to Christ as God." This latter, it should seem, was not a Psalm of David, but a hymn composed for the purpose : and it proves indisputably, that even in the apostolic age, forms of devotion were in use. If we come down to the times subsequent to the Apostles, we shall find Liturgies compos…
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use of a pre-composed form, as in any extempora- neous effusions of our own : and it is certain, that persons may be very fluent in the expressions of prayer without the smallest spiritual influence upon their minds ; and that they may, on the other hand, be very fervent in prayer, though the expressions be alrea…
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measure irradiated with scriptural knowledge, and with saving truth. The few who were enlightened, might indeed have scattered some partial rays around them ; but their light would have been only as a meteor, that passes away and leaves no permanent effect. Moreover, if their zeal and knowledge and piety had been…
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in the world, who, after engaging often in that ar- duous work, does not wish at times that he had a suitable form prepared for him. That the constant repetition of the same form does not so forcibly arrest the attention as new sentiments and expres- sions would do, must be confessed: but, on the other hand, the …
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of vindication : the true, the exalted, and the proper ground for a member and minister of the Established Church, we have left for the present untouched, lest we should encroach upon that which we hope to occupy on a future occasion. But it remains for us yet further to remark, that the use of our Liturgy is acc…
357 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.