PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 2 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 273,224 words · 589 reading sections
254 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [192.
worthy men from entering into the Church, but do at this hour press upon the consciences of many, who in all other things approve and admire the public formularies of our Church. A great portion of this present assembly are educating with a view to the ministry in the Establishment ; and, if I may be able in any …
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it often happens, that we are called to use these ex- pressions over persons who, there is reason to fear, have died in their sins ; and then the question is, How we can with propriety use them ? I answer, that, even according to the letter of the words, the use of them may be justified ; because we speak not of …
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spirit of candour and of love, spoke in terms of com- mendation respecting all, when in strictness of speech they should have made some particular exceptions. And, if we at this day were called to use the same language under the very same circumstances, it is probable that many would feel scruples respecting it, …
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be expressed by the term Regeneration. After thanking God for regenerating the infant by his Holy Spirit, we are taught to pray, " that he, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin .-" and then declaring that total change to be the nece…
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body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit:" and this he says of all the visible members of Christ's body0. Again, speaking of the whole nation of Israel, infants as well as adults, he says, " They were all baptized unto Moses, in the cloud, …
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places, they certainly did not in others ; and, where they did not, they must be understood as compre- hending all, whether infants or adults : and therefore the language of our Liturgy, which is not a whit stronger than theirs, may be both subscribed and used without any just occasion of offence. Let me then spe…
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too long; and we shall have a better opportunity of doing it in our next Discourse. But we would here entreat you all so far to bear this objection in your minds, as to cut off all occasion for it as much as possible, and, by the devout manner of your attendance on the services of the Church, to shew, that though…
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for the upholding of the Establishment, than by ten thousand Discourses in vindication of it ; and verily, if but the smallest progress should be made in it, I should think that I had " not laboured in vain, or run in vain." But let us not so think of the Establishment as to forget our own souls : for, after all,…
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Deut. v. 28, 29. They have well said all that they have spoken : 0 that there tvere such an heart in them! IN our preceding Discourses on this text, we first entered distinctly and fully into its true import, and then applied it, in an accommodated sense, to the Liturgy of our Established Church. The utility of a …
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stimulating them to real piety, or establishing them on the foundation which God has laid. They con- tained, it is true, much that was good ; but they were at the same time so filled with ceremonies of man's invention, and with doctrines repugnant to the Gospel, that they tended only to deceive and ruin all who a…
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Sponsors, that we shall be brought up in the true faith and fear of God ; and how earnestly does she lead us to pray for a progressive, total, and perma- nent renovation of our souls ! No sooner are we capable of receiving instruction, than she provides for us, and expressly requires that we be well in- structed …
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endeavours can avail, our spiritual wants ; being de- cent in her forms, but not superstitious ; and strong in her expressions, but not erroneous. In short, it is not possible to read the Liturgy with candour, and not to see that the welfare of our souls is the one object of the whole ; and that the compilers of i…
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danger, necessity, and tribulation. We further sup- plicate him in behalf of all that travel, whether by land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young children, and particularly entreat him to have pity upon all prisoners and captives. Still further, we plead with him to defend and pr…
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I may venture to say that no finite wisdom could suggest words more suited to the feelings or neces- sities of a penitent, than these. Take, next, a person full of faith and of the Holy Ghost ; and if he were the devoutest of all the human race, he could never find words, wherein to give scope to all the exercise…
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wild enthusiast. A tender seriousness, a meek devotion, and an humble joy, are the qualities which it was intended, and is calculated, to produce in all her members. III. It remains that we yet further trace the excel- lence of our Liturgy, in its moderation and candour. The whole Christian world has from time to…
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on our hearts. The truth, the whole truth, is brought forward, without fear ; but it is brought forward also without offence : all is temperate ; all is candid ; all is practical ; all is peaceful ; and every word is spoken in love. This is an excellency that deserves particular notice, because it is so contrary …
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From this view of our subject it will be naturally asked, Do I then consider the Liturgy as altogether perfect ? I answer, No : it is a human composition ; and there is nothing human that can claim so high a title as that of absolute perfection. There are cer- tainly some few expressions which might be altered fo…
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the doctrine itself. If any one will read the Athanasian Creed with attention, he will find three damnatory clauses ; one at the beginning, which is confined to the general doctrine of the Trinity ; ano- ther at the close of what, for argument sake, we call the explanation of that doctrine ; and another at the en…
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a proof of that doctrine, and an appeal to our reason, that that doctrine is true ? Yet, if we examine the Creed, we shall find this to be the real fact. Let us in few words point out the steps of the argument. The Creed says, " The Catholic faith is this, That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity …
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that those who deny the doctrine of the Trinity are in a fatal error, and will find themselves so at the day of judgment, I would rather deplore the curse that awaits them, than denounce it; and rather weep over them in my secret chamber, than utter anathemas against them in the house of God. I hope I have now me…
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and see what comparison the extemporaneous effu- sions will bear with our pre-composed forms. Having done this for one Sabbath, proceed to do it for a year ; and then, after a similar examination, compare them again : were this done, (and done it ought to be in order to form a correct judgment on the case,) methi…
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our petitions fervent, our thanksgivings devout, and our whole souls obedient to the word we hear. In a word, let us not be satisfied with any attainments, but labour to be holy as God himself is holy, and perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is per- fect. If now a doubt remain on the mind of any individ…
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and be answered in the desire of their hearts ; re- ceiving from him an " increase of grace, to hear meekly his word, to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit ! " And to us in particular may he give, even to every indi- vidual amongst us, " true repentance ; and forgive us al…
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binding, in the most solemn manner, all who should be consecrated to it, to a diligent and faithful dis- charge of their respective duties. When we first spake of the Liturgy, we proposed, after vindicating its use, and displaying its excellency, to direct your attention to one particular part, which on that acco…
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So sacred was the priesthood under the Law, that no man presumed to take it upon himself, but he who was called to it by God, as Aaron was. And though the priesthood of our blessed Lord was of a totally distinct kind from that which shadoweth it forth, " yet did he not glorify himself to be made an High- Priest,"…
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souls of men, and a desire to promote the honour of our God ? The question, in this view of it, gives no scope for enthusiasm, nor does it leave any room for doubt upon the mind of him that is to answer it: every man may tell, whether he feels so deeply the value of his own soul, as to be anxious also for the sou…
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Let us next turn our attention to the promises, by which we bind ourselves on that occasion. In the service for the Ordination of Priests, there is an exhortation from the bishop, which every minister would do well to read at least once every year. To give a just view of this part of our Liturgy, we must briefly …
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kings, is an honour far greater than the temporal government of the whole universe. Should we not, then, bear in mind what an office is devolved upon us ? From speaking thus respecting the dignity of the ministry, it proceeds to speak of the importance of the trust committed to us : " Have always therefore printe…
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of every kind, in order to fix the whole bent of our minds on the study of the Holy Scriptures, and of those things which will assist us in the under- standing of them. It directs us to be instant in prayer to God for the assistance of his Holy Spirit, by whose gracious influences alone we shall be en- abled to f…
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the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the same ; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners both of yourselves and of them tha…
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made by some person of influence amongst us ; and we shall soon approve ourselves worthy sons of those pious ancestors. I would hope there is not an indi- vidual amongst us, who would not gladly lend his aid, that " the word of the Lord may run and be glorified," not in this kingdom only, but, if possible, throug…
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which we answer, " I will apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper." These are the promises which we make before God in the most solemn manner at the time of our ordination. Now I would ask, Can any human being entertain a doubt, whether, in making these promises, we have not " well said all that we have s…
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all these things. And, that they may have time to do so, it is appointed, that silence shall be kept for a space; the public services being for a while sus- pended, in order to give the congregation an oppor- tunity of pouring out their souls before God in behalf of the persons who are to be ordained. What an ide…
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In this devout hymn the agency of the Holy Spirit, as the one source of light, and peace, and holiness, is fully acknowledged, and earnestly sought as the necessary means of forming pastors after God's heart : and it is well entitled to the encomium which has been already so often mentioned, " They have well said…
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of our own personal transgressions is inexpressibly awful : but the thought of perishing under the guilt of destroying hundreds and thousands of immortal souls, is so shocking, that it cannot be endured : if once admitted into the mind, it will fill us with consternation and terror; and the excuses which now appe…
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husbandman, for a distant harvest. Trials we shall have, of many kinds; and many, arising solely from our fidelity to God: but we shall bear up under them, going " through evil report and good report," till we have fought our fight, and finished our course : and then at last we shall be welcomed as faithful serva…
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effects of his ministry. They will love his person ; they will enjoy his preaching; they will tread in his steps; and they will shine as lights in a dark world. What, then, might not be hoped for, if all who have undertaken the sacred office of the ministry, fulfilled their engagements in the way we have before de…
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I would fondly hope, has begun to dawn! O that God would arise and " take to him his great power, and reign amongst us ! " O that he might no longer have to express a wish, " that there zvere in us such an heart ;" but rather have to rejoice over us as pos- sessed of such an heart ; and that he would magnify hims…
362 wordsSECTION 279The Danger Of Prosperity.
cxcv. Deut. vi. 10 — 12. It shall be, ivhen the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he swareunto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to lacob, to give thee goodly cities which thou buildedst not, and houses full of good things which thou filledst not, and ivells digged which thou diggedst n…
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descriptions ; and all, in following their respective occupations, provide accommodations for others, which it would have been impossible for them ever to have enjoyed, but for this ordina- tion of God, who has made private interest the means of advancing the public welfare. The only difference between the Israeli…
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that they have never poured contempt on One who had assumed their nature, and borne their iniquities, to deliver them. This is a depravity peculiar to man : and this is a de- pravity that has pervaded every child of man. And to what an awful extent it has prevailed in all of us, let the conscience of every one amo…
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faint conception of what is spiritual, pour contempt on others as altogether carnal. To all such conceited professors I would say, " Be not high-minded, but fear :" " let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."] 2. Lulls into security those whom it should quicken — [The effect of affluence, especia…
446 wordsSECTION 283A Right Improvement Of Electing Love.
[How often has that which never could be effected by- prosperity been produced by adversity. In prosperity, for the most part, we forget God ; but " in the time of adversity we consider." " In their affliction," said God of his people of old, " they will seek me early :" " they will pour out a prayer, when my chas…
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With similar views we would draw your attention to, I. The privilege of God's people — The Jews were " a special people unto the Lord their God "— [They had been redeemed from a most oppressive bondage, instructed by the voice of revelation, supported by bread from heaven, brought into the nearest relation to the…
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good in us, if it had not been given us of Godk; and it is evi- dent that the grace he has given us, can never be the ground and reason of his bestowing that grace upon us. He has " chosen us that we might be holy ; " but not because we were so, or because he foresaw we should become so1. No reason can be assigned…
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2. For the quieting of our fears — [The two principal sources of disquietude to the soul are, a sense of our unworthiness to receive God's mercies, and of our insufficiency to do his will. Now both of these are entirely removed by a view of God's character as exhibited in the text. As he is a sovereign, he may bes…
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Now in this we have a glass wherein to see the dealings of God with his people in all ages : 1. His mercies to every one of us have been in- numerable— [At our very first formation in the womb, the power and goodness of God towards us were exercised in imparting to us all our faculties both of body and mind. We h…
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have been tried in one way, and others in another ; some for a longer, and others for a shorter period ; some in mind some in body some in estate Even those who have been most favoured in this respect, have found abundant reason to acknowledge, that " this is not our rest." To the young and inexperienced, the worl…
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we will make him the supreme object of our regard in all. At some times he gives health, and affluence, and honour, to see whether we will suffer these things to draw away our hearts from him, or whether we will improve them all for him. At other times he lays affliction upon our loins, to see whether we will reta…
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Moreover, according to the measure which we attain of the stature of Christ, will be the recompence of our reward : every grace we exercise, whether active or passive, will be noted in the book of God's remembrance, and " be found to our praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ g :" the one …
454 wordsSECTION 291Against Self-Righteousness And Self-Conceit.
Deut. ix. 4 — 6. Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from, before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteous- ness, or for…
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I. How prone we are to self-complacent thoughts — There are many things which men would not utter with their lips, which yet they will " speak in their hearts." " The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." But no rational man would be such a fool as to say it with his lips. So, one can scarcely con- ceive…
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the righteousness which is of God by faith c. And this is the principle which we have to combat in all our ministrations, and which is the very last that yields to the Gospel of Christ. Men think to get to heaven by their own righteousness ; and hope, bike the Israelites in Canaan, to make the very mercy of God hi…
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complacent Pharisee to the regions of misery, or the believing penitent to the realms of bliss, and yon shall see in both an equal display of these very perfections : in the one, the punish- ment of sin in his own person ; in the other, the reward of righteousness, wrought out for him by our Lord Jesus Christ.] 2.…
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land to possess it for thy righteousness ; for thou art a stiff-necked people." How much more, then, may I say this to you, in reference to the heavenly land ! " Understand it," then, and consider it well : for to dream of any righteousness of your own, is to be guilty, 1. Of the grossest injustice — [Did the se…
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Having thus directed my attention, throughout the whole subject, to the self-sufficient, I will con- clude with an address to, 1. The desponding sinner — [You are ready to say, God will not have mercy upon me, because I have no righteousness whereby to recommend myself to him. But you need none for this end. It w…
449 wordsSECTION 297A Penitential Retrospect Enjoined.
Deut. ix. 7. Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath in the wilderness. THERE is no sin more deeply rooted in the heart of man than pride : nor is there any thing which will not serve as a foundation for it to prefer its claims. Even an excess of impiety will afford to some an occa…
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provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath in the wilder- ness." This was the state of mind which became them ; and this is the habit that becomes us also. To fix this admonition the more deeply on your minds, I will endeavour to shew, I. What impression sin makes upon the mind of God — It is not so light an evil as we…
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dealings with Israel in the wilderness : Was sin unpunished there? Do we see there no marks of his displeasure, no proofs of the connexion which he has established between sin and misery ? Does the destruction of that whole people in the wilderness give us no insight into this matter ? When we see what was inflict…
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who are unconscious of any malady can have no desire ; as our Lord has said, " They that are whole need not a physi- cian, but they that are sick : I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance x." What then shall an unpardoned sinner do? If he look not back on his transgressions, to mourn over them …
913 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.