PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 3 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,969 words · 482 reading sections
350 1 Kings, Viii. 28—30. [333.
minds ; and you will have reason to bless God to all eternity for the occasion that has suggested to you so important and necessary a reflection. To the occasional visitors who are here present, I would beg leave, also, to offer a seasonable sugges- tion. You will observe that Solomon, in the bene- volence of his…
367 wordsSECTION 302The Requisites For Acceptable Prayer.
the Temple of old typified, the Lord Jesus Christ, and bless him for the dispensation which led you to the knowledge of him, and to the acquisition of his favour. 1 Kings viii. 38, 39. What prayer and supplication soever he made by any man, or hy all thy people Israel, which shall knoio every man the plague of hi…
338 wordsSECTION 303352 1 Kings, Viii. 38, 39. [334.
acquaintance with this plague is sufficient : we must know the depth and inveteracy of our disorder. Our knowledge too must produce an imfeigned self-abhorrence, and a full conviction of our utter helplessness: nor without this knowledge can we offer up one acceptable prayer. We cannot lament what we neither feel …
410 wordsSECTION 304334.1 The Requisites For Acceptable Prayer. 353
God, and teaches them how they are to avert his wrath ; nor did God leave them in suspense about the issue of such humi- Hation : he declared in a vision to Solomon that his petitions were accepted'^. The Jewish history affords many striking in- stances of deliverance vouchsafed to a repenting people'; nor can we …
359 wordsSECTION 305354 1 Kings, Viii. 54—61. [335.
Renewal after the divine image — [Nothing on earth does a believer desire so much as this ; yet this shall be attained in the same way. An humble and believing view of Christ shall effect it<=.] * A peaceful death — [Stephen died by the hands of cruel and blood-thirsty enemies '^ ; but he offered an humble and be…
663 wordsSECTION 306354 1 Kings, Viii. 54—61. [335.
After having offered to God his prayer and sup- plication, he rose from his knees to bless the people. By " blessing them," we are not to suppose that he pretended to have any fulness in himself, whereby to make them blessed : it is not in man, however great, to make others blessed; he can only minis- terially de…
665 wordsSECTION 307354 1 Kings, Viii. 54—61. [335.
1. To be perfect with the Lord — [Absolute perfection is not to be attained in this workP: but there is a perfection which every Christian must attain, a perfection of desire, of pvu'pose, and of endeavour. We should see such a beauty in holiness as to long for the utmost pos- sible attainment of it: we should des…
374 wordsSECTION 308358 1 Kings, X. 6, 7. [336.
requires, and what every soul that shall ever be saved, must possess : in actual attainments there wiU, in spite of our utmost exertions, be much lacking; but in desire, purpose, and en- deavour, we must be perfect, not willingly harbouring the smallest imperfection 1, but striving to "grow up into Christ in all t…
326 wordsSECTION 309Cccxxxvi.
THE QUEEN OF SHEBa's VISIT TO SOLOMON. 1 Kings X. 6, 7. And she said to the Jung, It ivas a true repoTt that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Hotvbeit I believed not the rvords, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half iv as not told me. IT not unfrequently happens, th…
440 wordsSECTION 310360 1 Kings, X. 6, 7. [336.
extent of philosophy, natural and political, moral and religious. It extended, I say, to things, 1. Natural — [Universal nature seemed, as it were, to be open to his view : " He spake of trees, from the cedar- tree that is in Le- banon, even to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall : he sjiake also of beasts …
701 wordsSECTION 311362 1 Kings, X. 6, 7. [336.
Now of Jesus are great things spoken in the Holy Scriptures : and as the Queen of Sheba " believed not the reports concerning Solomon, till she came to see him with her own eyes," so respecting Jesus it must be said, " Who hath believed our report ''?" But if once we behold him with the eye of faith, we shall the…
733 wordsSECTION 312362 1 Kings, X. 6, 7. [336.
This subject furnishes us with abundant matter, 1. For reproof — [It was in this view that our Lord himself improved it in his day*: and may not we take up the same complaint against you and say, " The Queen of the South (of Sheba) shall rise up in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it : for she cam…
344 wordsSECTION 313364 1 Kings, Xl 9. ' [337.
meek he will guide in judgment, the meek he will teach liis way ? " Let us take encouragement and go unto him ; for we have advantages which the Queen of Sheba had not. Solomon could impart knowledge to her, but could not enable her to comprehend it : but Jesus can both " open to us the Scrip- tures," and " open o…
726 wordsSECTION 314306 1 Kings, Xi. 9. [337.
a Gen. xix. 27, 28. ^ Compare 1 Kings iii. 1 — 3. with Dcut. xii. 2 — 6. " Deut. xvii. 16, 17. ^ In amassing gold, not, as David, for the Lord, but for his own aggrandizement: see 1 Kings x. 21. In increasing horses; see 1 Kings iv. 26. and x. 26. and especially from Egypt ; see 1 Kings x. 28. In multiplying wive…
778 wordsSECTION 315368 1 Kings, Xi. 9. [337.
Inexpressibly awful is the account here given us. Let us now proceed to consider, II. The instruction to be gathered from it — Never was a history more replete with instruction than this. We may learn from it, 1. That temporal prosperity is very unfavourable for spiritual advancement — [Doubtless the facility wi…
652 wordsSECTION 316338.1 Revolt Of The Ten Tribes. 369
breadth from the divine commandments. Sin will soon blind the eyes, and harden the heart, and sear the conscience. Sin is a downward road, whereon, if we fall, our descent may soon be accelerated beyond a possibility of recovery. A. leak may appear but a small thing ; yet will it sink a ship, if left without timel…
355 wordsSECTION 317870 1 Kings, Xii. 24. [338.
1 Kings xii. 24. This thing is from me. IN histories written by men, events are always traced to human efforts and sagacity; but in the inspired history every thing is traced to God. We always find, even in things apparently most contin- gent, a secret over-ruling Agent, accomplishing his own purposes of mercy or…
445 wordsSECTION 318Revolt Of The Ten Tribes. 371
338.] sage advice, he consulted his own young companions ; who recommended rather a system of intimidation : this was more congenial with his own pride ; but it exasperated to the ut- most those whom by conciliatory measures he might easily have won^. The event was such as might have been foreseen : the ten trib…
459 wordsSECTION 319372 1 Kings, Xii. 24. [338.
dead. Jeroboam was indeed of an ambitious turn of mind, particularly after he had been raised by Solomon from a low station to a place of great honour and authority'; but it was the declaration of God's purpose that called it forth into activity, and directed all the ten tribes to look to liim as their future head…
489 wordsSECTION 320338.] Revolt Of The Ten Tribes. 373
" what God's hand and his counsel had determined before to be done°." The doctrine of our text therefore, though strange at first sight, is no other than what the Scriptures plainly and universally assert.] Let US then proceed to, II. Make some reflections upon it — In contemplating Jehovah as he is represented i…
439 wordsSECTION 321374 1 Kings, Xi] I. 4. [339.
ungodly, he merely gives scope for the exercise of dispositions which already exist in their own minds ; but, in influencing the godly, he first infuses holy dispositions into their minds, and then calls forth those dispositions into exercise by the operation of his own grace, exciting and strengthening the soul fo…
431 wordsSECTION 322Cccxxxix.
Jeroboam's idolatry reproved. 1 Kings xiii. 4. And it came to pass, when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, lohich had cried against the altar in Beth-el, that he pnt forth his hand from the 339.1 Jeroboam's idolatry reproved. 375 altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth aga…
415 wordsSECTION 323376 1 Kings, Xiii. 4. [339.
what is agreeable to the mhid of God. Having recently come out of Egypt, he introduced the idols thatwere there worshipped, even golden calves; and set them up in Dan, and Beth-el. One would have supposed that such an innovation would have shaken his throne to its foundation ; but it seems to have created no uneas…
790 wordsSECTION 324378 1 Kings, Xiii. 4. [339.
This, instead of humbhng him, incensed him in the highest degree — [Instantly "he stretched out his hand to lay hold" on the prophet, determining probably to put him to death. Thus it is that the carnal heart is ever ready to rise against God. Men will insult God by every means in their power; yet, if reproved fo…
537 wordsSECTION 325The Disobedient Prophet Slain.
the like baneful influence on us. But, supposing we should succeed, what can repay us for the loss of the divine favour? To adhere with steadfastness to the path of duty is our truest wisdom. Whilst faithfully serving God, we may safely leave events in his hands. If we suffer for well doing, we may console ourselv…
370 wordsSECTION 326380 1 Kings, Xiii. 26. [340.
greater temptations, and falling when his victory- appeared complete, he exhibits another instance of hmnan instability. Much indeed is to be said for him, because he was deceived: but his history affords a solemn warninii: unto all. In illustration of it we shall consider, I. The character of the seducer — Many…
356 wordsSECTION 327340.] The Disobedient Prophet Slain. 381
But after all, if we candidly consider the other parts of his character, we cannot but pronounce him a wicked man. For, 1 . He forbore to testify against the sin of others — [That he was a prophet, there is no doubt, even as Balaam had been before him. But to what purpose was he endued with a spirit of prophecy, …
467 wordsSECTION 328382 1 Kings, Xiii. 26. [340.
piety ? Eli had reproved the impieties of his sons ; yet, because he had not authoritatively interposed to prevent or punish their abominations, God visited him with a very signal judgment. How reprehensible then must this prophet have been, who both connived at, and consented to, a crime, for which he was bound b…
425 wordsSECTION 329340.] The Disobedient Prophet Slain. 383
earth do right?" Certainly we cannot but com- passionate the fate of the unhappy man, when we see him falhng a victim to the divine displeasure : nevertheless we derive from it much important in- struction. The judgment inflicted on him shews us, 1. That no command of God is to be trifled with — [The eommand not …
455 wordsSECTION 330384 1 Kings, Xiii. 26. [340.
3. That there is a time coming, when the present inequahties of the divine dispensations shall be rec- tified— [The sight of such lenity exercised towards the two great offenders, and such apparent severity towards this holy man, naturally leads our minds forward to a day of future retri- bution, when rewards and…
771 wordsSECTION 331386 1 Kings, Xiv. 13. [34 1.
^ 1 John iv. 1. s Rom. xvi, 18. abijah's piety rewarded. 1 Kings xiv. 1 3. He only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. MEN most addicted to wickedness, or most con- fident in their avowal of infidelity, no soone…
672 wordsSECTION 332388 1 Kings, Xiv. 13. [341.
2. As existing under his peculiar circumstances — [He was a young man, and at a tune of Hfe when contrary dispositions most generally prevaD. This therefore rendered it the more pleasing to God, who, as the Father of his whole family, loves " the new-born babes" as truly, if not as ardently, as those who have atta…
731 wordsSECTION 333388 1 Kings, Xiv. 13. [341.
Address — 1. Those in whom there is no good thing towards the Lord God of Israel — [Jeroboam's family bore the name of Israelites, as we do of Clu'istians ; yet was there only one among them that had any good thing in him. And is not this the state of many individuals at least, if not of families, amongst us ? Ho…
304 wordsSECTION 334Elijah And The Widow Of Sarepta.
alone that the tree can be known," and that we can ascertain with comfort to ourselves, that " the root of the matter is found in us^"] 3. Those in whom there is evidently some good thing — [Rejoice, and give glory to " God, who hath begun a good work in you." But do not rest satisfied with any attain- ments. Ha…
351 wordsSECTION 335342. J Elijah And The Widow Of Sarepta. 391
good^ As for himself, in obedience to the divine direction, he retired to the brook Cherith, and was for a long time supported there by ravens, which brought him bread and meat regularly twice a day : and, when that brook was dried up, he went to Zarephath, or Sarepta, which belonged to Sidon, and was there nouri…
369 wordsSECTION 336392 1 Kings, Xvii. 15, 16. [342.
them both into the treasury : but great as that was, it by no means equalled that which is recorded in our text : for the widow who gave her two mites, had herself only to support ; whereas the other widow had a son also: and, though the widow with her two mites knew not where to obtain more, yet there was no gene…
678 wordsSECTION 337394 1 Kings, Xyii. 22, 23. [343.
Let not any one say, " This mercy may be shewn to others, but not to me ;" for God is sovereign in the distribution of his gifts ; and, if he has already given us a desire to serve him, he will infallibly recompense our services in a better world. The widow of Sarepta was a Gentile : yet, as our Lord told the Jews…
748 wordsSECTION 338394 1 Kings, Xyii. 22, 23. [343.
3. It was, in her apprehension, penal — [This adds a ten-fold weight to any calamity which we are called to suffer : the wrath of God is the bitterest ingredient that can be infused into any cup. Hence was her grief so dif- ferent from that which she had manifested on the former occa- sion : she regarded her calam…
273 wordsSECTION 339396 1 Kings, Xvii. 22, 23. [343.
it on his own bed, and, as though he would have infused Hfe into him out of his own body, thrice stretched himself upon the corpse ; and, after crying earnestly to the Lord in behalf of the child, restored him back again to the mother a living child. This was a wonderful deliverance to the afflicted mother : let …
912 wordsSECTION 340398 1 Kings, Xviii. 12. [344.
^ Josh. vii. 7 — 9. e Exod. xvii. 7. ^ Exod. xv. 11. s Jam. v. 11. ii John xi. 4. ' John xi, 40. ^ Isai. 1. 10. netrably dark, let it then suffice us to know, that " what we know not now, we shall know hereafter."] 2. How to improve them — [Every leaf in the book of providence is full of instruction respecting t…
361 wordsSECTION 341Cccxliv.
obadiah's early piety. 1 Kings xviii. 12. I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth. IT is comfortable to reflect, that in the worst of times there are some who fear God, and that the state of religion is rarely so bad as it appears. The days of Ahab were peculiarly unfavourable to the existence of real piety in …
502 wordsSECTION 3424^0 1 Kings, Xviii. 12. [344.
of a slavish fear, arising from an apprehension of God's judg- ments : we speak of a filial fear, which is excited as much by a sense of " his goodness," as by a dread of his displeasure. And it is remarkable, that, when the Prophet Hosea foretold the piety that should reign under the gospel dispensation, and in t…
693 wordsSECTION 343Decision Of Character.
Address, L Those who are fearing God in their youth — [We rejoice that there are many Obadiahs amongst us, and perhaps some Timothys also, who even " from their child- hood have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus." Happy people, and gre…
548 wordsSECTION 344345.] Decision Of Character. 403
temples only in the heart. To bring the Jewish nation to a more consistent state, the Prophet Elijah expostulated with them in the passage before iis ; and, for their conviction, proposed to put it to the trial, whether Baal or Jehovah were the true God. We do not intend to consider the text as connected with the…
385 wordsSECTION 345404 1 Kings, Xviii. 21. [345.
terms of fanaticism or hypocrisy; our judgment must not be in the least altered, unless they will undertake to convince us from the Holy Scriptures. The word of God is the only standard of true doctrine ; and to it we must adhere, though the whole universe should oppose us. The number of Baal's prophets gave them …
429 wordsSECTION 346345. J Decision Of Character. 405
3. With perseverance — [We are as much in danger of drawing back through weak- ness, as of being turned aside by fear. There are many who have suffered much for the cause of Christ, who yet become " weary in well-doing." But we must never think that we have attained any thing, as long as any thing remains to be a…
442 wordsSECTION 347Cccxlvi.
for them to find any real delight in God. Their prospects of future happiness too are by no means cheering to their souls : for they have reason to fear, that God will not accept the service of a divided heart. On the contrary, the man " who follows the Lord fully," enjoys now that peace of God wliich passeth all …
719 wordsSECTION 348408 1 Kings, Xviii. 24. [346.
Of all tests that could have been devised, none could be more decisive than that proposed. Omnipotence alone could so control the elements, as to send down fire at tlie reqviest of man. Satan indeed is called " the prince of the power of the air ; " and on some occasions he has agitated tlie elements in a tremendo…
686 wordsSECTION 349410 1 Kings, Xviii. 24. [346.
On the other hand, is it not found, that the followers of Christ have the " eyes of their understanding enlightened ;" and that " the things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, are revealed unto them by the Spirit*^?" Yes, it is as true at this day, as…
659 wordsSECTION 350Elijah Visited And Reproved By God.
s Hos. xiii. 4. 2. What should be your determination ? [" Every man, as the prophet teUs us, will walk in the name o£his God," whatever his idol may be, whether pleasure, or riches, or honour: "and we also should walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever'\" In this resolution we should be fixed'. Wha…
420 wordsSECTION 351412 1 Kings, Xix. 11—14. [347.
tries the gold; and highly favoured indeed must he be, who, when in them, does not shew that he has yet a remainder of dross, from which he needeth to be purged. Doubtless the trials of Elijah were very heavy : he had asserted the honour of Jehovah in opposition to Baal; and had obtained such a triumph as might w…
382 wordsSECTION 352347.1 Elijah Visited And Reproved By God. 413
eminent saint, if unassisted by fresh communicaticns of grace, sinks, and becomes, like Samson shorn of his locks, as weak as other men. In the instance before us we have a striking evi- dence, that man of himself can do nothing.] 2. His impatient desire — [Wearied and disconsolate, he requested of God to " take …
421 wordsSECTION 353414 1 Kings, Xix. 11—14. [347.
cised towards him the most astonishing kindness. Instead of noticing with severity what the prophet had done amiss, 1. He supplied his wants — [The prophet had fled to the wilderness, where he could have no provision except by miracle ; and he had little reason to expect, that, while he was fleeing from the path …
431 wordsSECTION 354A Remnant In The Worst Of Times. 415
348.] with him in his exertions, or to be benefited by his instructions. Indeed it is a most consolatory thought to the Lord's people in every age, that there are many " hidden ones," who serve and honour God in secret, though their light has not so shone as to attract the attention of the world around them : and …
312 wordsSECTION 355416 1 Kings, Xix. 18. [348.
1 Kings xix. 18. Yet I have left me seveti thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. WE cannot always judge by outward appearances in religion. There is in some a forwardness, and display of piety ; whilst in others there is a reserve and a delica…
452 wordsSECTION 356348.] A Remnant In The Worst Of Times. 417
and, if it were really and of necessity connected with all the evils with which men load it, I should not wonder at the pre- judices which are entertained against it. But indeed, when stated as it is revealed in Scripture, it is replete with godly comfort. For, who is there that would ever be saved, if he were lef…
511 wordsSECTION 357418 1 Kings, Xix. 18. [348:
II. That the number of these elect far exceeds all that the most sanguine of God's samts would imagine — In the days of Elijah they amounted to " seven thousand men in Israel" — [True, these were but few, when compared with the whole nation of Israel : but they were many, when compared with one single individual…
512 wordsSECTION 358420 1 Kings, Xix. 2\. [349.
1 Kings xix. 2\. Then he arose, and loent after Elijah, and ministered unto him. IT is an unspeakable consolation to an aged minister to see others springing up around him, who shall carry on the same blessed work in which he has spent his hfe, and promote among the rising generation the Redeemer's interests, whe…
857 wordsSECTION 359422 1 Kings, Xix. 21. [349.
The making a feast also of two of his oxen may appear strange : but we apprehend that it was done in much the same spirit as that which he manifested towards his parents. His destroying a yoke of oxen with their instruments might be intended, in part, to shew, that he henceforth renounced all secular employments ;…
598 wordsSECTION 360Against Self-Confidence.
up yourselves to God, guard against every thing that may cause you to waver in your purposes. Your dearest friends and relatives will be ready to say, " Spare yourself:" but you must not yield to any such entreaties. They will tell you, " That you will injure your worldly prospects :" but so did Elisha — " That th…
345 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.