PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 2 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 273,224 words · 589 reading sections
Ccxxxvi.
2. To those who are desirous of preparing for death and judgment — [Happy am I to declare unto you, that, however numerous or heinous your sins may have been, they may all this very day be " blotted out of the book of God's remembrance ; " yea, be "blotted out as a morning cloud*," never more to be seen, never to…
281 wordsSECTION 482510 Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 36. [236.
execution of either there may be long delays: but neither the one nor the other shall fail. The sins of the impenitent "are laid up in store with him, and sealed up among his treasures :" and how secure soever the ungodly may imagine themselves, they shall give up their account to him, " to whom be- longeth venge…
655 wordsSECTION 483512 Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 36. [236.
He will do it to the end of time — [The words before us are in the form of a promise : and we may rely upon them as sure and faithful. They shall be fulfilled to us under temporal distresses l and under spiritual trouble also will God surely remember them for our good. Where can we find a more disconsolate state t…
584 wordsSECTION 484237.1 G0D The Only Author Of Good And Evil. 513
[When God's mercies have been heaped upon us in an unusual degree, then we feel disposed to ask, " What shall I render to the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?" Behold David after some great deliverance, whereby " his soul was brought out of a horrible pit, and set, as it were, upon a rock;" " w…
377 wordsSECTION 485514- Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 39. [237.
Deut. xxxii. 39. See now, that I, even I, am he, and there is no strange god with me : I kill, and I make alive ; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. THE Jews, from the time that they became a na- tion, turned aside from the living God to the worship of idols : on which accou…
471 wordsSECTION 486237.] God The Only Author Of Good And Evil. 515
[The whole Scripture bears testimony that " God worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." He does so in relation to all temporal matters : " He killeth, and maketh alive ; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up : he maketh poor and maketh rich; he bringeth low and lifteth up : he raiseth up th…
522 wordsSECTION 487516 Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 39. [237.
respecting this: "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no Saviour. Before the day was, I am he ; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand : I will work ; and who shall let it1?" Does he meditate vengeance? this is his own awful asseveration, in the words immediately following my text : "I lift u…
479 wordsSECTION 488237.] G0D The Only Author Of Good And Evil. 517
given to him, as " the author and the finisher of our faith." "He has treasured up for us every thing in Christ Jesus s;" and ordained, that we should " receive every thing out of his fulness'," looking to him as our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our complete redemption, " that no flesh should…
482 wordsSECTION 489Ccxxxviii.
" comfort," of " all grace ;" and in relation to that very thing will he " be a God unto youf." Seek him, then, in Christ Jesus; and glory in him as "your God and portion for ever."] 2. Terror to those who have any other god — [Who is that God that shall save you in the hour of your extremity ? or, Where will ye f…
670 wordsSECTION 490520 Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 46, 47. [238.
2. That you commend it earnestly to others — [You are not to be content to go to heaven alone : you must endeavour to draw all you can along with you. Has God imparted to you knowledge? you must labour to com- municate it. Has he given you influence ? you must exert it to the utmost of your power. Has he invested …
756 wordsSECTION 491520 Deuteronomy, Xxxii. 46, 47. [238.
I will now conclude, with drawing your attention to, 1. The circumstances under which this counsel was given — [" On the self-same day " that his counsel was given, "was Moses to go up to Mount Abarim and die q." This, then, was the dying testimony of Moses. And I, if I were now on my dying-bed, would give to you…
301 wordsSECTION 492The Blessing Bestowed On The Tribe Of Levi.
Fain would I, my Brethren, be " free from your blood," in that awful day. I would, too, that " you also might, every one of you, deliver your own souls u." But it is indeed most painful to your minister to reflect, that perhaps at this very moment, whilst labouring to save your souls, he is sinking many of them in…
396 wordsSECTION 493239.1 Blessing Bestowed On The Levites. 523
Meribah), and, above thirty-eight years afterwards, at another place called Meribah, was exceeding sin- fula. At the latter place in particular, both Moses and Aaron, as well as the people, offended God; and were for that offence doomed to die in the wilderness, and never to enter into the promised land. Hence it…
377 wordsSECTION 494524 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 8, 9. [239.
overt act committed, they should instantly give information against him, and with their own hands put him to death d. But here was the overt act visible to all ; and the civil magis- trate was present to sanction their conduct : and therefore they were bound to obey the order given them, and to execute the laws wi…
438 wordsSECTION 495239.~| Blessing Bestowed On The Levites. 525
breast-plate of the high-priest ; and by means of them he was enabled to discover the mind and will of God when he went in before the Lord to consult him on any particular occasion. What they were, and how they answered the purpose for which they were made, we are not informed : and therefore it is in vain to wast…
463 wordsSECTION 496526 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 12. [240.
1. Of caution — [Let not any one imagine that religion countenances a fiery zeal on any occasion whatever. The conduct of the Levites has not been proposed for imitation under the gospel dispensation, any further than is necessary for the maintaining of steadfast- ness in our allegiance to God. We are not to wage …
382 wordsSECTION 497240. J Privilege Of Those Who Live Near To God. 527
Deut. xxxiii. 12. Of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him ; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long. AS God was pleased to communicate to some in former ages the knowledge of future events, so he frequently imparted to them the spirit of prophecy in a more abundant measure,…
435 wordsSECTION 498528 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 12. [240.
with God," and that he beholds the very counsels of the heart, they strive to "set him ever before them;" and to "walk in his fear all the day long."] 2. They walk in dependence on the divine aid — [They are scarcely more conscious of their own existence, than they are of their utter insufficiency for any thing th…
423 wordsSECTION 499240.] Privilege Of Those Who Live Near To Ood. 529
endeavouring to walk in communion with God, in dependence on him, and obedience to him, they have nothing to fear. God has pledged himself, that they shall never perish h.] 2. From the assaults of Satan — [Satan will indeed exert all his power to destroy them ; but he shall not finally prevail against them. He may…
424 wordsSECTION 500Strength According To Our Days.
friend0. And what greater encouragement can we desire, than that which the text affords ? Others may fall ; but we shall be " covered, and kept in safety p :" others may aposta- tize to their perdition ; but we shall be preserved through faith unto everlasting salvation q.] 0 1 John i. 3. p Isai. liv. 17. i 1 Pet.…
337 wordsSECTION 501241.1 Strength According To Our Days. 581
forsake thee," might appear to belong to him only, as the individual to whom it was personally ad- dressed. Yet St. Paul applied it generally to the whole Church of God in all ages ; and authorized all saints, in every period of the world, to regard it as spoken equally to themselves, and to expect most assuredly…
377 wordsSECTION 502532 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 25. [241.
And our own corrupt hearts, too, are ready enough to in- dulge all manner of irregular desires, and to draw us into the commission of actual sin. What would become of us, if, at such seasons as these, we had none to succour us, no arm but our own to help us?] 2. Of trouble— [" We are born to trouble, as the spark…
457 wordsSECTION 503241.] Strength According To Our Days. 533
Whatever our trials be, strength shall be given us in proportion to them : and our communications from God shall be, 1. Seasonable — in respect of time — [Often, if succour were delayed, we should fall a prey to our great adversary. But " God's eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself stron…
454 wordsSECTION 504534 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 25. [241.
our Lord " prayed for him, that his faith might not fail : " and through the operation of this grace upon his soul, he was kept from destruction, and restored to the favour of Ins God. In a word, the grace which he will bestow in the time of need shall be a tree of life in the soul, " bringing forth its fruit in it…
457 wordsSECTION 505241.1 Strength According To Our Days. 535
1. The grounds of their security — [Believers, or unbelievers, we have no strength in our- selves : our strength is in God alone : and, if ever we be strong at all, it must "be in the Lord, and in the power of his might0." His power, as engaged for us, and his fidelity, as pledged to us, are the true, and proper, …
497 wordsSECTION 506536 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 29. [242.
the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God ? Hast thou not known ? hast thou not heard, that the ever- lasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary : there is no searching of his understanding ? He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, h…
268 wordsSECTION 507Ccxlii.
THE HAPPINESS OF GOD's PEOPLE. Deut. xxxiii. 29. Happy art thou, 0 Israel : who is like unto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency ! THE God of Israel is infinitely exalted above all the gods of the heathen : and though there cannot be any such disparity …
603 wordsSECTION 508538 Deuteronomy, Xxxiii. 29. [242.
expectations be raised to ever so high a pitch, the reality will far exceed them. We will therefore confidently repeat the chal- lenge, and say, as in the text, " Who is like unto thee, O people, saved by the Lord?"] To shew that this is no enthusiastic conceit, we proceed to notice, II. The grounds of their happ…
441 wordsSECTION 509242.1 The Happiness Of God'S People. 539
but has God himself for his " shield," and God himself for his " sword;" so that his enemies must elude Omniscience, before they can destroy him ; and must withstand Omnipotence if they do not fall before him. Hence it is that he attains such " excellency," and proves victorious in all his conflicts. View the beli…
433 wordsSECTION 510Christian Fortitude.
Josh. i. 7 — 9. Only be thou strong arid very courageous, that thou may est observe to do according to all the Law which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou may est prosper ivhither soever thou goest. This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; …
300 wordsSECTION 511243.1 Christian Fortitude. 541
He is to contend with all the enemies of his salva- tion, in obedience to the laws of God — [The world, the flesh, and the devil, are the enemies with whom he is to fight Now, a soldier in the army of an earthly prince is to act in all things according to certain rules, which are laid down for him in a code of law…
517 wordsSECTION 512542 Joshua, I. 7—9. [243
soldiers have many things to animate and imbolden them, which the Christian soldier wants. They are surrounded by multitudes, who are engaged in the same contest, and who invigorate one another by their voices and example ; but he engages alone, or nearly so, at the point of attack, and at the time that he is most…
447 wordsSECTION 513243.] Christian Fortitude. 543
the Lord to Joshua : and says he not the same to us, " Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the worlda?" Now, imagine a soldier with his commander and his prince always at his side : would he not be stirred up by that to acts of valour, which, in the absence of such a stimulus, he would be unable to put for…
470 wordsSECTION 514Rahab Protects The Spies.
laws of God. Be thankful, then, that ye have this evidence that ye are the Lord's.] 2. Let none doubt of victory, who fight in depen- dence on the Lord's strength, and in conformity to his commands — [Be strong, and very courageous to do his will But take special care what kind of fortitude it is that you main- …
451 wordsSECTION 515244.1 Rahab Protects The Spies. 545
the end without using the means is not faith, but presumption. Hence the strongest believers have always accounted it their duty to exert themselves as much as if success depended solely on their exer- tions; whilst, on the other hand, they placed their hopes in God, as much as if no effort whatever were used by …
372 wordsSECTION 516546 Joshua, Ii. 8—14. [244.
I. The service she rendered — In speaking upon this part of our subject, we shall notice separately, 1. What she did — [From the first interview which she had with the spies, she knew the true object of their mission; and determined to advance it to the utmost of her power. Her first object there- fore was to pr…
454 wordsSECTION 517244.1 Rahab Protects The Spies. 547
of Egypt: that he had enabled them to destroy Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites, and to take possession of their land : and that he would infallibly accomplish his promises to them, in the total subjugation of the Canaanites. All this is evident from the very words of our text. Now, if we consider how co…
510 wordsSECTION 518548 Joshua, Ii. 8—14. [244.
Samaria, where they were brought into the power of the king of Israel0? Or, if the cases be thought not sufficiently parallel, let any one ask, whether, if a maniac were coming to destroy his whole family, he should not think himself justified in denying them to him, when no evil could accrue to the maniac himself …
436 wordsSECTION 519244.1 Rahab Protects The Spies. 549
to shew its operative and transforming power: by both of them is she united with the patriarch Abraham himself : and by one she is said to be justified by this work of hers, as Abraham was justified by offering up his son Isaac on the altar. The boon she desired was, temporal life; and behold, here was given to he…
478 wordsSECTION 520The Passage Of Jordan Commemorated.
This however we may learn from it, that God will abun- dantly recompense whatever we do for him " Even a cup of cold water given for his sake, shall in no wise lose its reward." Let us then enlarge our expectations from him, and open our mouths wide, that he may fill them. Let us not be afraid to incur risks for h…
398 wordsSECTION 521245.] The Passage Of Jordan Commemorated. 551
instituted in order to perpetuate the remembrance of the deliverance of Israel from the sword of the destroying angel, when all the first-born of Egypt were slain b. The passage of the Israelites through Jordan was also to be borne in everlasting remem- brance. For this end twelve stones were erected in Gilgal ; …
432 wordsSECTION 522552 Joshua, Iv. 20—24. [245.
passed them ran down towards the Dead Sea, and left the channel dry for the space of several miles e. The priests then proceeded with the ark into the midst of the channel, and abode there whilst the whole nation of Israel, with their cattle and baggage, passed over : nor did they leave their position, till they w…
418 wordsSECTION 523245.1 The Passage Of Jordan Commemorated. 553
should perish after his example. The event indeed shews how- vain any attempt on their part would have been. And does not this convince us, that, when the measure of any person's iniquities is full, he shall in no wise escape the vengeance of his God ? Whatever obstacles may appear to He in the way, and whatever b…
488 wordsSECTION 524554 Joshua, Iv. 20—24. [245.
righteousness," but solely from his own free and sovereign grace. When therefore they looked upon these stones, they could not but see how greatly he was to be loved, and honoured, and feared, and served, for all the mercy, the undeserved mercy, which he had shewn unto them. They would be ever ready to exclaim, " …
485 wordsSECTION 525245.1 The Passage Of Jordan Commemorated. 555
unknown, untrodden path, we are apt to fear lest we should sink in the deep waters, and never attain the wished-for end. But God has promised to be with us, to " make the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over1," and to bring us in safety to the land that floweth with milk and honey. " When therefor…
475 wordsSECTION 526Ccxlvi.
his own blood." Let us then labour to diffuse this saving knowledge, as opportunity shall offer, that our fellow-creatures may reap the benefits designed for them, and God may have the glory due unto his name.] Israel's first proceedings in canaan. Josh. v. 8 — 10. It came to pass, when they had done circum- cisi…
816 wordsSECTION 527558 Joshua, V. 8—10. [246.
a Exod. iv. 24—26. to withhold from their descendants, for forty years together, that seal, by which alone they could be admitted into covenant with God. But, however the neglect originated, so it was, that not one of all the children of Israel was circumcised for the space of forty years ; and all of these did J…
654 wordsSECTION 528558 Joshua, V. 8—10. [246.
2. That, in whatever circumstances we be, we should place the most implicit confidence in God — [Suppose yourself in the presence of Joshua whilst these religious ceremonies were proceeding : you would naturally ask, Are you not in an enemy's land ? and have you not many conflicts to maintain ere you can get a qui…
295 wordsSECTION 529560 Joshua, V. 8—10. [246.
as of doubtful issue : we should assure ourselves, that in all our conflicts we shall be victorious, and that " Satan himself shall be bruised under our feet shortly e." Already may we look upon the land as ours, and see the crowns and kingdoms there reserved for us. There, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, we…
512 wordsSECTION 530Christ The Captain Of The Lords Host.
Josh. v. 13, 14. It came to pass, when Joshua ivas by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay ; but as Captain of the host…
395 wordsSECTION 531562 Joshua, V. 18, 14. [247.
he had, it would have been corrected by the person, who, if he had not been God, would not have suffered these divine honours to be paid himd. But, so far were these honours from being declined, that the bestowment of them was sanctioned by an express command, similar to what had been before given to Moses. Jehova…
439 wordsSECTION 532247.] Christ The Captain Of The Lord'S Host. 563
way. But He is held up " as an Ensign to the people; and to him must all people seek'." And, as a man entering into the army of an earthly monarch sur- renders up himself altogether to the disposal of the general who is placed over him, so must we volun- tarily devote ourselves to the service of Christ, before we…
436 wordsSECTION 533564 Joshua, V. 13, 14. [247.
fact, we are really strong only in proportion as we feel our- selves weak, and look to Christ to " perfect his strength in our weakness1." We must therefore he strong, not in ourselves, hut " in the Lord, and in the power of his might m."] 3. To disregard difficulties, and even death itself, in his service — [A s…
495 wordsSECTION 534The Taking Of Jericho.
Josh. vi. 20, 21. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets : and it came to jmss, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the iv all fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took th…
344 wordsSECTION 535566 Joshua, Vi. 20, 21. [248.
miraculous passage through Jordan had inspired ; and that, after fortifying their own camp, they would proceed to construct works for the capture of the city. But behold ! instead of engaging in any such labours, they address themselves to works of a very different nature, suited only to a season of profound peac…
447 wordsSECTION 536248.] The Taking Of Jericho. 567
The wisdom of the preparations appears, in that they secured, II. The fall of the city— The manner in which it was taken was indeed surprising — [The armed men were appointed to go round the city in perfect silence d, once every day for six successive days; and, on the seventh day, they were to compass it seven …
458 wordsSECTION 537568 Joshua, Vi. 20, 21. [248.
His voice to us is the same in all his wonders both of provi- dence and grace ; " Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts V] The next thing which calls for our attention is, III. The destruction of the inhabitants — [With the exception of Rahab and her family, for whose preservation …
467 wordsSECTION 538249.1 Israel Discomfited By The Men Of Ai. 569
to forbear the use of all common means either for the pre- servation of themselves or for the destruction of their enemies? It was faith. And so says an inspired writer; " By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days'." This is the principle which will carry vis through all d…
376 wordsSECTION 539570 Joshua, Vii. 8. [249.
ISRAEL DISCOMFITED BY THE MEN OF AIa. Josh. vii. 8. 0 Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies ! UNINTERRUPTED prosperity is not to be ex- pected in this changeable and sinful world. Even a Fast-day Sermon for disappointments and defeats in war. the most favoured of mankind mus…
444 wordsSECTION 540249.1 Israel Discomfited By The Men Of Ai. 571
him to himself, that he may learn by bitter experience his own weakness, and "no more be high-minded, but fear15" ] But their discomfiture was owing to another cause — [God had forbidden that any one should take to himself any of the spoils of Jericho : but one man, (how astonishing was it that only one amongst al…
489 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.