PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 3 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,969 words · 482 reading sections
424 1 Kings, Xx. 11. [350.
1. As a political maxim — [The history of all mankind attests the propriety of this advice. In every age there will be found unnumbered instances to prove that " the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor riches to men of un- derstanding, nor favour to men of skill ^…
757 wordsSECTION 3624^6 1 Kings, Xx. 42. [351.
k Eph. vi. 10—18. 1 2 Cor. xi. 3. 1 Pet. v. 8. n» Mark xiv. 38. " 1 Cor. x. 12. « Rom. xi. 20. P Prov. xxviii. 14. i 1 Cor. ix. 27. '" 2 John ver. 8. ahab's sin in sparing benhadad. 1 Kings XX. 42. And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I a^)- pointed to utt…
846 wordsSECTION 363428 1 Kings, Xx. 42. [351.
We cannot fail of acknowledging the interposition of Heaven in the history of Benhadad: let us be willing also most thankfully to acknowledge it in the events which we have just recited.] Great also is the spiritual deliverance which God will vouchsafe to all who look unto him — [The power of our spiritual enemie…
666 wordsSECTION 364430 1 Kings, Xxi. 20. [352.
3. The humble and victorious — [Some there are who, though crying occasionally, " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me ? " are yet able to add with joy, " I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Yes, many there are who can say, " Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ ! " Let t…
667 wordsSECTION 365430 1 Kings, Xxi. 20. [352.
The tidings of Naboth's death being announced by Jezebel, Ahab instantly proceeded to take possession of his vineyard ; manifesting thereby his perfect approbation of all that Jezebel had done. Conscious of his cordial participation in her crimes, he could make no reply to the prophet's accusation, " Hast thou kil…
379 wordsSECTION 366432 1 Kings, Xxi. 20. [352.
many are there who would readily enough avail themselves of an advantage so obtained ; or at least conspire to rivet the chains once forged, and to derive pleasure to themselves from the misery of their fellow-creatures ! Alas ! the world is full of characters, whose " hearts are exercised with covetous practices'…
719 wordsSECTION 367434 1 Kings, Xxi. 20. [352.
But how boldly soever they reply against God, we may see in the answer of Elijah, III. How certainly they ruin their own souls — The fearless prophet soon taught the murderous monarch what he was to expect — [" I have found thee ; " and God has found thee, and his judgments ere long will find thee too. Agreeably …
598 wordsSECTION 368The Feigned Repentance Of Ahab.
out as a morning cloud," and " cast them all behind him into the very depths of the sea^" It is an express engagement of his covenant, that " your sins and iniquities he will remember no more^" Think, my Brethren, what an unspeakable merc}^ this is, and let it be your daily and hourly employment to abase yourselve…
394 wordsSECTION 369436 1 Kings, Xxl 27—29. [353.
passage which we have just read ; wherein Ahab's repentance was honoured with the notice and appro- bation of Heaven to a certain degree, though we have no reason to think that it ever availed for his final acceptance before God. In speaking of Ahab's repentance, we propose to shew, I. What there was in it that …
366 wordsSECTION 370353. J The Feigned Repentance Of Ahab. 437
The terms wherein it is set forth are doubtless strong ; but yet it was altogether defective ; 1. In its principle — [If there had been no punishment denounced against him, Ahab wotJd have felt little concern about his iniquities : he had no real hatred of sin, no ingenuous shame on account of his having transgre…
393 wordsSECTION 371438 1 Kings, Xxi. 27—29. [353.
1. That God will not overlook the smallest things that are done for him — [We have many instances in Scripture of actions rewarded, even where there was little, if any, reference to liim in the minds of the actors. Ebed-melech had some regard to God in the services he rendered to Jeremiah the prophet: Jehu was mo…
442 wordsSECTION 372354.] Faithful Ministers Objects Of Hatred. 439
been experienced by thousands, who yet have " turned back with the dog to his vomit, or the sow to her wallowing in the mireP'." Let it be remembered therefore, that if we dissemble with our God, his sword shall certainly overtake u.s i You have been long and faithfully warned of your danger; and if you despise th…
260 wordsSECTION 373440 1 Kings, Xxii. 8. [354.
1 Kings xxii. 8. / hate him; for he doth not speak good con- cerning me, hut evil. IT is generally supposed that sentiments adopted by the great mass of mankind, especially if they be maintained also by those who from their personal advantages and official character are considered as best qualified to judge, must…
497 wordsSECTION 374354.] Faithful Ministers Objects Of Hatred. 441
speak the truth of God, "whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear*^." And when men say to us, " Prophesy mi to us smooth things, prophesy deceits®," our answer must be like that of Micaiah, " As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak *^." God has plainly told us, that "if we see…
475 wordsSECTION 375442 1 Kings, Xxii. 8. [354.
way, to save his life ; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but his Mood will I require at thine hand^." Here you see, that if the consequences be fatal to others, they are doubly so to ourselves : for they who perish through our un- faithfulness, have only their own souls to answer for : but we must p…
438 wordsSECTION 376354.]] Faithful Ministers Objects Of Hatred. 443
on earth one faithful minister who does not experience the truth of that assertion, " If they have hated me, they will hate you also." It matters not what wisdom these servants of God exercise, or what talents they possess, or what blamelessness they maintain ; if they will discharge their duty faithfully to God a…
460 wordsSECTION 377444 1 Kings, Xxii. 8. [354.
that he had no other ground of displeasure against Micaiah, than his fideH-ty in declaring the messages of the Most High. And when he avowed both his hostility to him, and the grovmds of it, Jehoshaphat, notwithstanding his piety, dared not to espouse the cause of this injured prophet any further, than merely to s…
708 wordsSECTION 378446 1 Kings, Xxii. 19—23. [355,
° Ezek. xiii. 10, 11, 16, 18. with Jer. vi. 14. P Eph. V. 11. 1 Amos v. 10. -^ Matt. v. 11, 12. Satan's stratagem to deceive ahab. 1 Kings xxii. 19 — 23. A)id he said, Hear thou therefore the ivord of the Lord: I satv the Lord sitting on his throne, and, all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and…
739 wordsSECTION 379448 1 Kings, Xxii. 19—23. [355.
2. From his wisdom and subtlety — [" The serpent was the most subtle of the brute crea- tion," and was therefore made use of by Satan • as an instru- ment whereby to deceive our first parents : and in reference to that event, Satan is called " that old serpent, the DeviP." Of his subtlety there is much spoken in t…
694 wordsSECTION 380448 1 Kings, Xxii. 19—23. [355.
d 2 Cor. xi. 13 — 15. ^ Isai. xliv. 20. Jer. viii. 5. andix. 6. 355. J Satan's stratagem to deceive ahab. 440 his temptations, as he is to solicit our compliance. The case of Ahab is one of daily occurrence : thousands there are who hate the light, and say to their ministers, " Prophesy unto us smooth things, prop…
441 wordsSECTION 381450 1 Kings, Xxii. 19—23. [355.
3. In its operations — [Satan could only '' persuade'' Ahab ; he could not compel him ; nor can he influence any man in opposition to his own will. He is "a roaring lion;" and all before him are but as lambs : yet in prosecuting his malignant purposes against them, he destroys those only " whom he may devour," not…
406 wordsSECTION 382Elijah Calls Down Fire From Heaven.
2 Kings i. 1 1, 12. Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty ivith his fifty. And he answered arid said unto him, 0 man of God, thus hath the king said. Come down quickly. And Elijah answered and said unto them. If I he a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And t…
266 wordsSECTION 383452 2 Kings, I. 11, 12. [356.
1. The provocation given — [This was exceeding great. Aliaziah walked in all the steps of his father Ahab: and this alone was abundantly suf- ficient to call forth the displeasure of God against him. But he had now been pouring contempt on God in a more than ordinary degree. He had fallen through a lattice, and th…
478 wordsSECTION 384356.] Elijah Calls Down Fire From Heaven. 453
not even pray for the judgments as one under the influence of revenge, but merely denounced them according to the will of liis Di\ane Master. The terms in which they were denounced are worthy of notice. The captains, in calling him " a man of God," did not mean to honour, but insult him: it was as though they had …
453 wordsSECTION 385454 2 Kings, I. 11, 12. [356.
views of it are rectified, it will afford us some valuable lessons. We will improve the subject therefore, 1. In a way of caution — [We must not imagine that we are at Uberty to act in all things as the prophets did, or even as our blessed Lord himself did. Their peculiar office gave them an authority, which we a…
499 wordsSECTION 386356.] Elijah Calls Down Fire From Heaven. 455
Behold one party slain by fire from heaven ; and soon after, another party, of fifty each! What has called forth these signal acts of vengeance? They sought to lay hands on a faithful servant of the Lord. We do not indeed expect that all persecutors will be visited with the like judgments : but we know what God ha…
508 wordsSECTION 387Ccclvii.
Elijah's translation to heaven. 2 Kings ii. 9 — 12. And it came to pass, when they ivere gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I he taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit he upon me. And he said. Thou hast asked a hard thing : …
735 wordsSECTION 388458 2 Kings, Ii. 9—12. [357.
The Lord grant that at whatever hour we shall be called hence, we may be found thus labouring in the way most suited to our respective spheres, and our several capacities !] 2, How he was removed — [" A fiery chariot and horses of fire," that is, angels under that appearance, were sent to convey him to heaven, wit…
706 wordsSECTION 389458 2 Kings, Ii. 9—12. [357.
Address, L Those who are more advanced in life — [The time is shortly coming when you must be taken into the presence of your God. Should you not then inquire. Whether " the good work be yet begun in you ; or, if begun, whether it be proceeding towards its perfect accomplishment ? " Should you not ask. What is th…
284 wordsSECTION 390Ccclviii.
that ye may be the children of the light." Above all, take care that your eye be single, and that spiritual blessings have their due preponderance in your hearts. If God should say to you, as in truth he does, What shall I do for thee ^ ? then let your soul be ever ready to reply, " Grant that a double portion of …
782 wordsSECTION 391462 2 Kings, 11. 14. [358.
a 1 Kings xix, 3. ^ Jam. v. 17, 18. <= 1 Kings xviii. 37, 38. ^ 2 Kings i. 10 — 12. e 1 Kings xvii. 3 — 6. ^ 1 Kings xvii. 9 — 16. g 1 Kings xix. 4—8. '' 1 Kings xix. 11, 12. ' 1 Kings xvii. 19 — 23. and 2 Kings ii. 8 the dissolution of our bodies cancelled ; and the man of God taken in body and sovd into heaven …
835 wordsSECTION 392Elisha Healing The Spring With A Cruse Of Salt.
Even to unbelievers methinks this subject is not vnthout its appropriate use : for, who was Elijah more than others ? Was not he once " a child of Avrath even as others ? " and may not those who are now children of wrath, become even as he ? Yes, there is a cloud of witnesses to prove, that, though Elijah is gone,…
528 wordsSECTION 393359.] Elisha Healing The Spring With Salt. 4G5
and on him had been executed the very curse denounced by Joshua^. At that time I suppose that the water and the ground were cursed by God, agreeably to what he had threat- ened by Moses ^: so that in that instance was fulfilled what David has spoken, " He turneth a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness…
463 wordsSECTION 394466 2 Kings, Il 19—22. [359.
the means to the end, what covild a single cruse of salt have effected, in a spring of water, and in all the adjacent land ? and why must it be brought in a new cruse, rather than in one which had been used ? It is plain that these means were no more than the erecting of a brasen serpent to heal the wounded Israel…
431 wordsSECTION 395359. J Elisha Healing The Spring With Salt. 467
little conception how great a benefit God at this time be- stowed on Jericho. There was from that time no more death in the water, or barrenness in the land. Even after the de- struction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the spring continued both abmadant and. salubrious, as the Jewish historian informs us; yea, and to …
463 wordsSECTION 396Elisha Mocked By The Children.
lost of obtaining salvation to your own souls — But, blessed be God ! the word of the Gospel yet sounds in your ears, and God is at this moment waiting to confer on you all the blessings both of grace and glory. But how long the advantages you now enjoy may be continued to you, or you be continued to possess them,…
394 wordsSECTION 397360.] Elisha Mocked By The Children. 469
confer on their souls also, was speedily constrained to call down judgments upon the people whose wel- fare he was most anxious to promote. The destruction of so many children for what ap- pears to have been but a small offence, has afforded to infidels an occasion of triumph. But that this dispensation affords n…
405 wordsSECTION 398470 2 Kings, 11. 23, 24. [360.
But it is probable that the fact, though believed, was deemed a fit subject for ridicule ; ' Let us see thee, O thou bald head, go up, as thy master did.' Thus the very abun- dance of God's power and grace was turned into an occasion of profane banter. And, strange as it may seem, this is a very common source of r…
445 wordsSECTION 399360.] Elisha Mocked By The Children. 471
lose those children which they had trained up in such impious habits ; and the children deserved to be cut oif from all further enjoyment of the privileges which they so despised. For the transgressions of their parents they might well have suffered, even as the children of Sodom and Gromorrha did : but their own …
488 wordsSECTION 400472 2 Kings, Hi. 27. [361.
The last lesson we shall notice as arising from this dispen- sation is, that parents and children have a fearful respoiisibility for their conduct totvards each other. Doubtless it sometimes happens that the most pious parents have children whom they cannot prevail upon to serve the Ijord : and, if they have labou…
285 wordsSECTION 401361.] The King Of Moab Sacrifices His Son. 473
2 Kings iii. 27. Then he took his eldest so7i that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a htirnt-offering upon the tvall. GOD delights to honour prayer ; and often with- holds the blessings which he has purposed to bestow, till he shall have been " inquired of by us concerning them^" In the prece…
478 wordsSECTION 402474 2 Kings, Iii. 27. [361.
shame when we reflect, how little we have ever sacrificed to our oflended God. We all know that he has abundant reason to be displeased with us : and we know that " a broken and contrite spirit is a sacrifice which he will never despise : " but how few of us are willing to offer it ! how few are at all anxious abo…
436 wordsSECTION 403361.] The King Of Moab Sacrifices His Son. 475
that which has recently been carried on in its more northern states, has partaken much of the same spirit, and pi-oved ahnost equally fatal to the happiness of milHons, What reason then have we to bless our God, that, notwithstanding all the menaces of our enemies, this happy land has not been made the theatre of …
473 wordsSECTION 404476 2 Kings, Iv. 6. [3(^2.
pleased with us. But we need not sacrifice an eldest son to avert his wrath : no : blessed be his name ! he himself has given us " a Lamb for a burnt-offering," even his only dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This sacrifice was once offered on Mount Calvary ; and it was offered, not to intimidate, but encourage us …
298 wordsSECTION 405Ccclxil
THE widow's oil INCREASED. 2 Kings iv. 6. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her. There is not a vessel more. And, the oil stayed. FROM every event recorded in the Old Testa- ment, there is much useful instruction to be derived. Fo…
553 wordsSECTION 406478 2 Kings, Iv. 6. [362.
yet left her of discharging her debts : and being informed that nothing remained to her but a pot of oil, he directed her to borrow as many vessels as she could of her neighbours, and, with her doors closed in order to avoid the distraction which might be occasioned by impertinent curiosity, to pour out the oil in…
813 wordsSECTION 407480 2 Kings, Iv. 13. [363.
This, then, I would desire of you, my Brethren : 1. Beg of God to make you sensible of your wants — [You are not a whit less indigent than that insolvent widow. But the testimony of faith is weak in comparison of that of sense. You see how bent she was on obtaining relief: let me entreat you to follow her steps i…
303 wordsSECTION 408Contentment Illustrated In The Shunamite.
2 Kings iv. 13. What is to be done for thee? Wouldest thou he spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host ? And she answered, I divell among mine own people. " TO be content with such things as we have " is a very rare acquirement. Every one imagines that some change of circumstances, and especially some…
585 wordsSECTION 409482 2 Kings, Iv. 13. [363.
3. A state of domestic quiet to all the happiness that arises from external and adventitious circum- stances— [It is a great mistake to imagine that happiness can he found in amusements of any kind. They involve no small measure of trouble in the pursuit of them, and they ahnost always issue in disappointment. At…
408 wordsSECTION 410363.]] Contentment Of The Shunamite. 483
2. How entirely our future abundance depends on our present moderation ! [We ai'e told by our Lord that " The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and render it unfruitful:" and we see in Demas this sad effect: " Demas hath forsaken us, having loved this present evil world." The thi…
424 wordsSECTION 411All The Dlspensations Of Providence Are Good.
2 Kings iv. 26. And she ansivered, It is tvell. TO serve the Lord with our talents is the best possible improvement of them. Even as it respects this life, we never exert ourselves truly for God without receiving from him, in some way or other, an abundant recompence. Behold the pious Shvi- namite : being provide…
657 wordsSECTION 412486 2 Kings, Iv. 26. [3G4.
II. The events whereby it was verified — The prophet instantly complied with her request, and sent his servant Gehazi to lay his staff upon the face of the child, with a view to his recovery. But in this he appears to have acted without any direction from God, and without that humble reference to God which the oc…
678 wordsSECTION 413488 2 Kings, V. 13. [365.
2. Be not backward to improve them — [Every trial has a voice to us, and is calculated to teach us some important lesson p. Hence the prophet says, " Hear the rod, and him that hath appointed it**," Consider then what it is intended to speak to you : take occasion from it to examine your ways, to see wherein you m…
561 wordsSECTION 414Naaman Healed Of His Leprosy. 489
365.] obtain : for, instead of following the direction given him by the prophet, ** he turned, and went away in arage*"." Here let us pause to inquire, what it was that so nearly robbed him of the desired blessing ? It was, 1. His offended pride — [He had come in great state, and with rich rewards in his hand, …
443 wordsSECTION 415490 2 Kings, V. 13. [365.
other person were in full possession of our ideas, we are offended at him for not acting as we would have him ; when most pro- bably we ourselves, had we been in his situation, should not have followed the line of conduct which we had marked out for him. It is surprising how much disquietude this mistaken spirit o…
458 wordsSECTION 416365.] Naaman Healed Of His Leprosy. 491
and the mode of purification from it was certainly typical of our purification from sin by the Redeemer's blood, we feel no impropriety in accommodating this history to elucidate the Gospel of Christ. We have here, then, a lively representation of, 1 . The character of the Gospel — [Sin is absolutely incurable by…
453 wordsSECTION 417492 2 Kings, V. 13. [365.
alone, they resent the offer as a wild conceit and an Anti- nomian delusion.] From the striking resemblance which there is be- tween the conduct of Naaman and that of those who reject the Gospel, we shall take occasion to add a few words of advice — 1. Bring not to the Gospel any pre-conceived no- tions of your …
411 wordsSECTION 418Naaman Bowing In The House Of Rimmon.
descend into it. Only remember that you must wash there seven times. You must not go to any other fountain to begin or perfect your cure : in Christ, and in Christ alone, you must seek all that your souls can stand in need of.] 2 Kings V. 18, 19. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth…
346 wordsSECTION 419494 2 Kings, V. 18, 19. [366.
to men the liberty which God has given them\ But we should neither abridge the Christian's liberty, nor extend it beyond its just bounds : and we apprehend that the passage before us will assist us materially in assigning to it its proper limits, and will itself receive the most satisfactory interpretation when vi…
431 wordsSECTION 420366.] Naaman In The House Of Rimmon. 495
light ; and that, if he should do this thing of himself, he might appear to be unfaithful to his convictions, and to have relapsed into idolatry : he therefore entered, as it were, a protest against any such surmises, and gave a public pledge that he would do nothing that should be inconsistent with his professed a…
476 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.