PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 3 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,969 words · 482 reading sections
319.1 David Dethroned By Absalom. 283
time of need, notwithstanding the absence of that symbol, through which, under other circumstances, he ought to have been approached. It was moreover unavailing. What could the ark do, unless accompanied by God himself? What had it done for Israel when taken from Shiloh to protect them against the PhiHstines ? Of…
469 wordsSECTION 242284 2 Samuel, Xv. 25, 26. [319.
I have no delight in thee ; behold, here am I, let him do unto me as seemeth good unto him." In all this he was doubtless actuated by a sense of his own extreme unworthiness : he saw that the affliction which was laid upon liira, was an accomplishment of the threatening long since denounced against him by God hims…
455 wordsSECTION 243319.1 David Dethroned By Absalom. 285
done." When loaded \Adth execrations, as David vs^as by Shimei, he submitted meekly to the insults, as the Apostle says ; " When he was reviled, he reviled not again ; when he suffered, threatened not ; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." As David too was chiefly solicitous for the welfare of t…
475 wordsSECTION 244286 2 Samuel, Xv. 30. [320.
as good," and "bless him" equally for whichever in his provi- dence he ordains for us p.] 3. Seek a kingdom of which you can never be dis- possessed— [David was at that time the mightiest monarch upon earth : yet how soon, and how easily, was he dispossessed of his throne. To what then can we look as stable and p…
680 wordsSECTION 245288 2 Samuel, Xv. 30. [320.
But they derived ten-fold poignancy from the source from whence they flowed — [The people that inflicted these wounds were his oiun subjects. Had he been attacked by foreign enemies, he would have gone forth against them with alacrity : but to be con- strained to fight with those over whom he had reigned so many …
805 wordsSECTION 246Cccxxl
f Mic. vii. 9. david's patience and forbearance. 2 Sam. xvi. 5 — 12. And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the familij of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of k…
266 wordsSECTION 247290 2 Samuel, Xvl 5—12. [321.
he that the Lord tuill look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. IT is thought by many, that situations of rank and eminence are conducive to happiness. But the very reverse of this will be found true for the most part, because persons in authority are beset with num…
798 wordsSECTION 248292 2 Samuel, Xvi. 5—12. [321.
We wonder not at the indignation of Abishai, a 2 Sam. xii. 11. ^ Fs. Ixix. 2G. or at the proposal which he made to avenge his master's cause on this insulting adversary. But we do wonder at David's forbearance under this heavy trial, and at, II. His meek submission to it — David would not suffer Abishai to execu…
705 wordsSECTION 249294. 2 Samuel, Xviii. 33. [322.
Learn, then. Brethren, from this subject, 1. What spirit you are to manifest under any injuries you sustain — [In no respect are you to indulge an angry and vindictive spirit ; but, rather, to follow the example of our blessed Lord, who, under the most injurious treatment that ever was endured in this world, open…
577 wordsSECTION 250Cccxxil
David's lamentation over absalom. 2 Sam. xviii. 33. And the hing was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and weft: and, as he went, thus he said, O niy son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, 0 Absalom, my son, my son! THIS life is at best a chequered scene : the happ…
529 wordsSECTION 251296 2 Samuel, Xviii. 33. [322.
he expii'ed, without any space given him for repentance ! Well then might Da\dd weep for him, even tears of blood. David well knew the misery of those who died in their sins, and had often wept for the inconsiderateness of those who overlooked their danger : well therefore might he weep as he did for the miserable…
847 wordsSECTION 252298 2 Samuel, Xviii. 33. [322.
2. To parents and children in particular — [Parents, surely you may learn from the history before us to cut off all occasion for self-reproach in the event of your children's death. No doubt David was too indulgent towards Absalom, and had forborne to punish him as he deserved. And what a bitter reflection it will…
603 wordsSECTION 253Cccxxiii.
THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE A GROUND FOR INDIFFERENCE TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD. 2 Sam. sdx. 34. Atid Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live ? GREAT virtues rarely, if ever, exist alone: the soul that gives them birth is actuated by a principle, which is generally, though perhaps not universally, oper…
328 wordsSECTION 254300 2 Samuel, Xix. 31. [;523.
[If we are advanced in lite, this truth is obvious ; but if we be in the bloom of youth, it is no less certain : for, what is the space of man's life ? it is only seventy or eighty years at most : and though that appears long in the prospect, it appears as nothing in the retrospect : every aged man will tell you th…
455 wordsSECTION 255323.1 The Shortness Of Life Considered. 301
tinmng any longer to neglect our souls? If repentance be necessary for ever}^ child of man ; if there be no possibility of acceptance for us but by fleeing for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ ; and, if they who die in an impenitent and unbelieving state must perish for ever ; then is it folly to defer the concerns …
415 wordsSECTION 256Famine A Punishment For Sin.
3. Those who are far advanced in hfe — [Say whether Barzillai's conduct do not well become you ? You feel infirmities ; you know that in the course of nature you have but a short time to live : let earthly things then be regarded by you with indifference, and heavenly things increasingly occupy your minds. Famihar…
335 wordsSECTION 257324.] Famine A Punishment For Sin. 303
from God. In this light, " war, famine, pestilence, and the noisome beast," are frequently mentioned ; and in this light they should be viewed. We are indeed very averse to regard them as coming from God : we are ready to ascribe them to second causes, and to overlook the first Great Cause of all : but in the Scri…
467 wordsSECTION 258304 2 Samuel, Xxi. 1. [324.
It is highly necessary also that those whose distresses are of a private and personal nature, should take occasion from them to inquire of God, as Job did, " Shew me, O Lord, wherefore thou contendest with me*^" ] 2. We should put away whatever is displeasing to God — [The injuries which had been done to the Gibe…
735 wordsSECTION 259Vol. Iii. X
cccxxv. THE EQUITY OF CHRIST's GOVERNMENT. 2 Sam. xxiii. 1 — 4. Noio these he the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who teas raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the siveet Psalmist of Israel, said. The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his ivord ivas in my tongue…
271 wordsSECTION 260V
spiritual world". The Prophet Malaehi. probably haviuii" an eve to the verv passage before us, combines the two ideas, and foretells the advent of Christ, iis " the Sun of Uiiihteousness''." In this view of the words, we shall be led to consider, T. The nature of Christ's government — [Ii\ the siicrod oracles, a …
700 wordsSECTION 261308 2 Samuel, Xxiii. 5. [326.
What an astonishing effect too does the light of his counte- nance produce with respect to fruitfulness in good works ! let the soul, watered with shcnvers of divine grace, and softened with the tears of penitence and contrition, once feel the genial influence of his rays, and there will be an instantaneous change …
431 wordsSECTION 262326.] The Covenant Of Grace. 809
2 Sam. xxiii. 5. jUthough my house he not so loith God ; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure : for this is all my salvation, and all my desire. IN all the trials and troubles of life, religion alone can afford us any effectual support. To this the saints in all ages h…
410 wordsSECTION 263310 2 Samuel, Xxiii. 5. [326.
promise be made, but unto the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Representative of his Church and people ? Some divines have called this the covenant of Redemption, as contra-distinguished from the covenant of Grace ; the one being made with Christ only, and the other with man. But this appears not founded in Scripture. Th…
489 wordsSECTION 264326.] The Covenant Of Giiace. 311
at such times, and in such a measure, as shall most display the glory of God. It is true that God requires of us many things, as repentance, faith, and holiness ; but it is equally true that he promises all these tilings to us : he has " exalted his own Son to give us repentance ^* ;" he also gives ns to believe in…
494 wordsSECTION 265312 2 Samuel, Xxiii. 5. [326.
because we are not under the law, but under grace '^ :" and we know that " He is faithful who hath called us, who also will do it^:" and this very circumstance of its being an article in God's covenant, a blessing to be gratuitously conferred by him, and freely received by us, this, I say, it is, which makes " the …
429 wordsSECTION 266327. J David Desires The Water Of Bethlehem. 313
" all our desire," or, as the word imports, all our delight To this also we should have recourse in every season of affliction. David betook himself to it under all his domestic troubles, and in the near prospect of eternity. " His house, alas ! was not so with God," as he could wish. And how many are there who ha…
275 wordsSECTION 267314 2 Samuel, Xxiil 15—17. [327.
David's desire for the water of the well of betpilehem. 2 Sam. xxiii. 15 — 17. y4nd David lojiged, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth- lehem, which is by the gate ! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-leh…
622 wordsSECTION 268327.] David Desires The Water Of Bethlehem. 315
either from God or man, was to expose themselves unne- cessarily to the utmost peril, and in reality to tempt God. Doubtless a contempt of danger is a great virtue in a soldier ; but it may be unduly exercised : and we are persuaded that, before men put their lives in jeopardy, they should inquire, whether the occ…
435 wordsSECTION 269316 2 Samuel, Xxiv. 11—15. [328.
hosts of Israel :" and he has opened to us access to the waters of life, " of which whosoever drinketh shall never thirst s." Moreover, to effect this, he has not merely jeoparded his life, but actually laid down his life : knowing assuredly all the suf- ferings he must endure in order to procure these blessings fo…
323 wordsSECTION 270328.] David Numbering The People. 317
2 Sam. xxiv. 11 — 15. When David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the prophet Gad, DaimVs seer, saying, Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things ; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto hir.i. Shall se…
558 wordsSECTION 271818 2 Samuel, Xxiv. 11—15. [328.
cessful warfare, or three days of pestilence : a painful choice indeed ! but Da\dd wisely preferred the falling into the hands of God, and not into the hands of man. The election being made, the judgment was inunediately executed : and no less than seventy thousand men were slain by a destroying angel, before the …
452 wordsSECTION 272328.] David Numbering The People. 319
institutions, and had taken all fit occasions of directing penitents to that great Sacrifice whereby alone the sins of men could be forgiven : and now he stopped the angel on the very spot where he had, many centuries before, arrested Abraham's hand when sacrificing his son ; and where, but a short time after, the …
439 wordsSECTION 273Solomon Puts Shimei To Death.
instrumental to the destruction, rather than to the welfare, of each other — [What evil may not a head of a family bring on the mem- bers ; a ruler on his subjects ; a minister on his people ! or what may not they suffer through the misconduct of those over whom they are placed ! Let this connexion be duly conside…
419 wordsSECTION 274322 1 Kings, 11. 44. [329.
In considering the subject of retributive justice, we shall shew, I. How it should be exercised by men — By men in their individual capacity, it should not be exercised at all — [We are forbidden to think of retaliating an injury, or of avenging ourselves at all^. Yea rather we are taught patiently to bear injur…
453 wordsSECTION 275329. J Solomon Puts Shimei To Death. 323
establish his kingdom. He had pardoned Adonijah for his consj)iracy against him, on the express condition that he should act the part of a good and loyal subject : but seeing speedily his restless ambition, and that the request to have Abishag for his wife was but a device to increase his influence in the state, a…
460 wordsSECTION 276324 1 Kings, Ii. 44. [329.
II. How it will he exercised by God — God is the Sovereign of the universe : and though he bears long with his rebelhous subjects, he often executes vengeance upon them in this world, as pre- paratory to the judgments he will inflict upon them in the world to come. In a peculiar manner, as our text expresses it, …
434 wordsSECTION 277329.] Solomon Puts Shimei To Death. 325
come. The day of judgment is emphatically called, " the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Then shall every thing be taken into consideration, either to extenuate or aggravate our crimes : " The servant that knew his lord's will and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes ; whilst the m…
470 wordsSECTION 278326 1 Kings, Iii. 11—13. [330.
cccxxx. Solomon's choice. 1 Kings iii. 11 — 13. ^nd God said unto Mm, Because tliou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life ; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies ; hut hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment: hehold, I have done …
661 wordsSECTION 279328 1 Kings, Iii. 11—13. [330.
This choice moreover was approved of God himself, who not only commended it as wise, but honoured it with a rich reward ; giving him in a very abundant measure the blessing he desired'^, and bestowing on him also those minor blessings which he had forborne to ask.] From this brief view of Solomon's choice we may …
628 wordsSECTION 280The Stillness With Which The Temple Was Built.
other blessings in the measure that is good for us : for God promises, that, if we " seek spiritual blessings first, all other things shall be added unto us^." We are far from saying, that other things are not to be sought at all ; we only say, that they must be regarded as altogether subordinate to spiritual bless…
354 wordsSECTION 281330 1 Kings, Vi. 7. [331.
seven years he was enabled to complete. There is, in the structure of this edifice, one circumstance so remarkable as to deserve very particular attention : the wood and stones were all prepared at a distance, and brought to the place perfectly fitted for the situation in which they were to stand : and with such …
396 wordsSECTION 282331.] Stillness In Building The Temple. 331
been foretold by prophets in different and distant ages, if they had not been previously fixed in the pm'poses of God ? Had there been any thing left to chance, some of these prophecies must have failed : but not even the mmutest circumstance that has been predicted has ever failed : and tliis proves that God fore…
495 wordsSECTION 283S32 1 Kings, Vi. 7. [331.
to those, and not to these, that they must look, as the rule of their actions. Still however we dare not deny that God is the Sovereign of the universe, who acts in all things " according to the counsel of his own will, and for the praise of the glory of his own graced :" and though we would by no means make this …
476 wordsSECTION 284331.] Stillness In Building The Temple. 333
subdue men to the obedience of faith, they were to use " no carnal weapons," but only such as should derive their efficacy from the grace of Christ'; agreeably to that prophetic decla- ration, " Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts "\" Accordingly it was in this way that they preva…
480 wordsSECTION 285334 1 Kings, Viii. 18. [332.
together, all performing their proper functions, and all con- tributing to the good of the whole i. That this idea is just, as arising from the present subject, is certain ; for both St. Peter and St. Paul have placed the subject in this very point of view"". Let us therefore particularly attend to it; and whilst …
377 wordsSECTION 286332.] Good Intentions Approved. 335
1 Kings viii. 18. Thou didst well that it was in thine heart. THE sovereignty of God is a subject from which the minds of men in general revolt. But this arises from their considering it almost exclusively in rela- tion to things which have an arbitrary and painful aspect. For instance, when " God says to Pharaoh,…
393 wordsSECTION 287Ss6 1 Kings, Viii. 18. [332.
restraints on them, (though, in some cases, that may be found true ;) but because there is in the regene- rate man a principle of evil as well as of good : " he has the flesh lusting against the spirit, as well as the spirit lusting against the flesh ; and these are con- trary the one to the other, so that he cann…
471 wordsSECTION 288332. J Good Intentions Approved. 337
[Wliere is there a servant of God who would not, if it were possible, extend the blessings he enjoys to every child of man ? Where is there a real saint that does not attempt this, so far as his influence extends ? Is the very first petition which our Lord has commanded us to offer at the throne of grace, that " G…
477 wordsSECTION 289338 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
and it was not overlooked". And not those only who " spake of God one with another," shall be ajDproved by him in the day of judgment, but those also who, without having embodied their thoughts in language, only " thought upon his name°." The look, the sigh, the groan, the tear, shall aU be recorded by God in the …
369 wordsSECTION 290333.] For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 339
1 Kings \du. 28 — 30. Have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, 0 Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, lohich thy servant prayeth before thee to-day: that thine eyes may be open toioard this house night and day, even toioard the place of ivhich thou hast said, My…
419 wordsSECTION 291340 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
that the priests could no longer continue their mini- strations there''. But that to which I would more particularly call your attention at this time is, the prayer which Solo- mon offered, and which brought down so signal a blessing upon them all. It affords a noble specimen of man's intercourse with his Maker ;…
328 wordsSECTION 292333.] For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 341
" whatever such persons, so associated, have agreed to ask, it shall be granted unto them." I well know, that persons may very easily and very materially err in relation to the subject of answers to prayer; and that to expect fire to descend from heaven, as on that occasion, or a visible manifestation of God's glo…
379 wordsSECTION 293342 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
not houses for preaching only, but, in a pre-eminent degree, what our Reformers designed them to be, and what God ordained his Temple of old to be, " houses of prayer.'" And those who make light of the Prayers, and regard them only as a kind of decent prelude to the Sermon, shew that " they know not what spirit t…
382 wordsSECTION 294333.] For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 343
with deep contrition shall find that " there is mercy with him, yea, with him is plenteous redemption." I say, then, that this is a blessing which we are to look for, whensoever we approach God in the house of prayer. Every promise in God's blessed word authorizes this hope : and no one should be satisfied with h…
353 wordsSECTION 295344 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
undone those things which we ought to have done, and have done those things which we ought not to have done ; and there is no health in us." He can know httle of " the plague of his own heart/' who does not find those acknowledgments exactly suited to his state. At the beginning of the Litany, what can express th…
368 wordsSECTION 296333.1 For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 345
all " be filled with the Holy Ghost," not indeed in his miraculous powers, but in his enlivening, comforting, and transforming energies. We may form some idea of the frame which is proper for us, from the very attitude in which Solomon addressed his prayer to God : " He fell down on his knees, and spread forth hi…
371 wordsSECTION 297346 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
which is offered, but in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ. To him must we look in all our addresses at the throne of grace, and to the Father through him. Indeed, this is very parti- cularly marked in the whole of Solomon's prayer. In the greater part of that prayer he intercedes in behalf of th…
375 wordsSECTION 298333.1 For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 347
spending the Sabbath, account them upright and consistent characters ? No : they would see at once the glaring inconsistency between such professions and such practice. But, perhaps, they will say, " We do not make any such profession of religion." Then, I answer, you have gone to God with a lie in your mouths. W…
366 wordsSECTION 299348 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
and obtained in the house of God, must be exhibited and exemphfied in our daily walk : and, if there be not a correspondence between the two, what do we but proclaim ourselves hypocrites before the whole world ? We " cannot serve God and Mammon too ;" nor must we pretend to " fear the Lord, whilst we are serving …
347 wordsSECTION 300333.] For The Opening Of A Church At Cheltenham. 349
not a whit less necessary, and which I would take the liberty earnestly to recommend ; and that is, the establishment of prayer in your own famihes. Who that sees the zeal of Solomon on this occasion, does not perceive the duty of every head of a family ? We cannot all raise public edifices to the Lord ; but we m…
385 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.