PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 4 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 223,595 words · 412 reading sections
Jesus.
Ps. lxxxv. 9, 10. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met togetlier , righteousness and peace have kissed each other. WE are told in Scripture, that ** the prayer of the upright is God's delight :" and in instances without number has he evinced th…
655 wordsSECTION 242Jesus.
But, formidable as these obstacles were, we behold in our text, II. The way in which they are removed — All has been done for man that was required of man — [A substitute has been provided for our guilty race. The Son of God himself has come down from heaven, and been made under the law, that, in the very nature…
823 wordsSECTION 243Jesus.
Behold then how replete this passage is with, 1. Instruction to the ignorant — [Men differ much about the way of salvation: but this passage clearly determines who is right. That plan of salvation, and that alone, is right, which is carried into effect in perfect consistency with all the attributes of God. But the…
767 wordsSECTION 244A Praying Spirit Exemplified,
' ver. 11. with Isai. xlv. 8. '' 2 Cor. v. \g, 20. ' 1 John 1.9. Ps. Ixxxvi. 1 — 5. Bow down thine ear, 0 Lord! hear me ; for I am poor and needy. Presei've my soul ; for I am holy. 0 thou 7ny God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee! Be mer- ciful unto ine, 0 Lord ! for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul …
350 wordsSECTION 245290 Psalms, Lxxxvi. 1 — 5. [394-
[St. Paul, in both his Epistles to Timothy, prays, that " grace, and mercy, and peace" might be multiplied upon him. These three terms comprehend the substance of the Psalmist's petitions. He desired " grace," to " preserve and save his soul." He desired "mercy;" *' Be merciful unto me, O Lord !" And he desired " …
507 wordsSECTION 246394.] A Prating Spirit Exemplified. 291
me ; for I trust in Thee." This also was a most acceptable plea. If we ask with a wavering and doubtful mind, we can never succeed": but the prayer of faith must of necessity prevail. The suppliant who truly and habitually trusts in God, can never be disappointed. Lastly, David says, " / cry unto thee daily .*" " …
483 wordsSECTION 247292 Psalms, Lxxxvi. 1 5. [S94.
1 . His meekness and modesty — [He approachts God, as a sinner ought to do, with reve- rential awe. He exhibits none of that unhallowed boldness, and indecent familiarity, which are so commonly to be noticed in the prayers of many at this day. It is much to be lamented that many address God almost as if he were an…
481 wordsSECTION 248894.] A Praying Spirit Exemplified. 293
[David did not so view his own sinfulness as to distrust the mercy of his heavenly Father ; but rather took occasion from his own sinfulness to magnify the more the free and super-abounding grace of God. In this, his example is especially to be followed. Nothing can warrant us to limit the mercy of our God. O how …
455 wordsSECTION 249The Glory Of Zion.
Ps. Ixxxvii. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, 0 city of God. THE city here spoken of, is Zion : of whose praises the whole Scriptures speak. She is represented as ** beautiful for situation, and as being the joy of the whole earth ^" Even God himself is represented as delighting in her, and as " loving the …
382 wordsSECTION 250395.] The Glory Of Zion, 295
Under the Jewish dispensation conversions were comparatively few : but under the Christian dispensation they are very numerous ; though at present they are only as the drop before the shower. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was poured out in richer abun- dance, and thousands were converted in a day: and still, w…
523 wordsSECTION 251W6 Psalms, Lxxxvii. 3. [395.
for whilst the one are " rejoicing in the Lord always" here be- low °, the other are incessantly engaged in singing praises to him above, even " to Him, who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and made them kings and priests unto their God ; to him, I say, do they ascribe all glory and do…
461 wordsSECTION 252395.] The Glory Of Zion. 297
shut day nor night; that men may bring unto her the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. Then the nation and kingdom which shall not serve her shall perish ; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto her^ the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box togeth…
657 wordsSECTION 253396.] Distress Of Soul Considered. 299
Ps. lxxxviii. 14 — 16. Lord, why easiest thou off my soul P ivhij h'ldcst thou thy face from me P I am afflicted, and ready to die, from my youth 7/p : ivhile I siffer thy terrors, I am ■ distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me ; thy terrors have cut me off'. HEMAN the Ezrahite, the author of this psalm, is th…
680 wordsSECTION 254396.] Distress Of Soul Considered. 299
Ever "= ver. 1, 2j 9, 13. "^ ver. 3. « ver. 6, 7. SOO PSALMS, LXJfXVIlI. 14—16. [396i Even Job himself, notwithstanding his extraordinary patience, seemed at times to sink under the accumulated load of his afflic- tions, and to be transported beyond the bounds of sense or reason. And the dejection of many, howeve…
516 wordsSECTION 255396."] Distress Of Soul Considered. 301
appear even from our text : for Heman, who was eminent for Ins piety, declares, that he had been so " afflicted from his youth up.'^ And where did he attain this extraordinary piety, but in the school of affliction ? Whilst others were intent on pleasure, he, by his troubles was led to study his own heart, and to s…
466 wordsSECTION 256302 Psalms, Lxxxviii, 14 — 10. [396.
rifiest me through visions : so that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than life''." If we look to the terrifying effects of sin on the ungodly, the sad history of Judas paints them in their true colours. Let these sorrows then, in whomsoever they be found, be traced to their proper source ; and let thi…
516 wordsSECTION 257896.1 Sufficiency Of Christ To Save. 303
his Father's face ; " My God, my God ! why hast thou forsaken me?" Let us learn to estimate as we ought this stupendous mystery, of " God manifest in the flesh," to expiate by his own sufferings the sins of his rebeUious creatures. O let us con- template this mystery, till we are altogether lost in wonder, love, a…
317 wordsSECTION 258304 Psalms, Lxxxix. Iq. [397.
THE StTFFICIENCY OF CHRIST TO SAVE. Ps. Ixxxix. 19. Thou spakest in visioji to thy Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help vpon one that is mighty. HOW joyful must these tidings be, to whomsoever they may have respect! Suppose them to refer to an oppressed nation, the raising up to them a mighty deliverer must be …
720 wordsSECTION 259Vol. Iv. , X
2. His Mediatorial endowments — [As Mediator, he has received his qualifications from God the Father : and those qualifications are abundantly sufficient for the work assigned him. The Spirit has been given to him, not by measure, as to others, but without measure '' : " In him, even in his human nature, dwelleth …
473 wordsSECTION 260Cccxcviii.
god's anger a reason for turning to him. Ps. xc. 11, 12. JVho knoweth the power of thine anger P even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. THIS psalm is entitled, *' A prayer of Moses the man of God." It seems to have been written by Mos…
658 wordsSECTION 261Cccxcviii.
'anger ; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. I am troubled ; I am bowed down greatly ; I go mourning all the day. I am feeble and sore broken ; I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my hearth" The unhappy end of Judas shews how insupportable is a sense of God's wrath, when the consola…
775 wordsSECTION 262310 Psalms, Xc. 11, 12. [398.'
To seek reconciliation with him then is our true wisdom — [The world may account it folly, and may stigmatize all serious piety as needless preciseness : but we hesitate not to de- clare with David, that " the fear of the Lord is the very begin- ning of wisdom';" and that the Prodigal's return to his father's hou…
719 wordsSECTION 263Cccxcix.
1. Those who are in a state of reconciliation with him — [Doubtless there are many amongst you, who can say with the Church of old, "Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me'." To you then I would say, " Who knoweth the power of God's love? Accord- ing to your hope, even …
303 wordsSECTION 264312 Psalms, Xc. 17.
they may not be condemned with the world here-, after'*." Amongst those who died in the wilderness for their transgressions, we know, infallibly, that some were received to mercy. We have no more doubt of the salvation of Moses and Aaron than we have of any saint from the foundation of the world. And we think tha…
660 wordsSECTION 265312 Psalms, Xc. 17.
hut it is in the work of Redemption that the perfections of : God must be chiefly viewed ; because in that are displayed his ^ justice, his mercy, and his grace; for the exercise of which there is, in the works of creation and of providence, compara- tively but little scope. But, to discover these, we must view th…
652 wordsSECTION 266312 Psalms, Xc. 17.
399.] god's beauty imparted to his people. 315 mass of those who repented in the wilderness : and therefore it may be poured forth by all true penitents amongst ourselves, who may expect that " the beauty of the Lord shall be upon them :" 1. By an outward manifestation of it to our minds — [To the Corinthian Chu…
709 wordsSECTION 267312 Psalms, Xc. 17.
From the text thus explained, we may learn, 1. What is the great antidote to the troubles of life— . [Certainly the Israelites, when doomed to perish in the wil- derness, were in a very pitiable condition. But, if they could only attain this great object, they declared that their sorrows would all be turned into …
725 wordsSECTION 268Cccc.
Were this subject better understood, we should see, as in Christ, so in all his followers also, the God and the man, the lion and the lamb.] " Ps. xcvi. 7—9' 318 PSALMS, xci. 9, 10. [400. THE SECURITr,OF THOSE WHO DWELL IN GOD. Ps. xci. 9, 10. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most Hi…
390 wordsSECTION 269400.] Security Of Dwelling In God. 319
precise view the Psalmist speaks of God; " Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort''."] 2. Necessary provision — [Every man, whatever be his situation in life, expects to find in his own house the things suited to his necessities. He does not seek his meals at the houses of his neighbours,…
673 wordsSECTION 270400.] Security Of Dwelling In God. 319
But it may be thought that penal evil may come to them. This however we utterly deny. That they may be " visited with the rod," we readily acknowledge : but there is great difference between the vindictive arm of an incensed judge, and the gentle chastisements of an indulgent parent. The cup that may at any time b…
266 wordsSECTION 271400.] Security Of Dwelling In God. 321
the mansions of bliss. He will there enjoy for ever one unclouded day; and his happiness will be without alloy, without inter- mission, without end'.] To render this subject more instructive, we shall add a word, 1. Of direction- — [Christ, in reference to the sheepfold of his Church, says, " I am the door; if a…
464 wordsSECTION 272Devotion To God Recommended And Enforced.
Ps. xcv. 6 — 11. 0 come, let us worship and bow down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God ; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To- day y if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as in the pro- vocation, and as in the day of temptation in the luilderness, wh…
403 wordsSECTION 273401.] Devotion To God Enforced. 323
down, and kneeling before him." At Iiis hands must we seek for mercy, even through tlie all-atouing sacrifice and from him, as our living Head, must we look for all necessary suppHes of grace and peace O come, let us thus approach him ! let us do it not merely in the public services of our Church, but in our secre…
737 wordsSECTION 274402.] Duty Of Making Christ Known. 325
•" Heb. iv. 2. « Ps. x. 4, 5, THE DUTY OF MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TO THE HEATHEN. Ps. xcvi. 1 — 3. 0 sing unto the Lord a new song ; sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord; bless his name: shew forth his salvation foom day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his ivonders ainong all people. TO …
652 wordsSECTION 275402.] Duty Of Making Christ Known. 325
[Who that had ever tasted of the blessings of salvation would "eat his morsel alone?" who would not wish all the world to partake with him? Yes surely, we should "declare his glory among the heathen, and his wonders among all people." O what "wonders" of love and mercy have we to proclaim! Who can reflect on the p…
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esteemed by you as of no value, any farther tlian they may enable you to glorify his name. Enter then minutely into the consideration of this subject, and say, Whether, " if you hold your peace, the very stones will not cry out against you ?" 2. The necessities of the heathen world — [The whole Scriptures speak of…
510 wordsSECTION 277A Wise Deportment Delineated.
your love and zeal be duly tempered with reverence and godly fear. At the same time, take care that you do not become weary in well doing. Be on your guard that your love to the Saviour languish not, and that your endeavours to convert others to the knowledge of him be not relaxed. Try amongst your friends and nei…
360 wordsSECTION 278403.] A Wise Deportment Delineated. 329
A noble resolution this ! We will endeavour to point out, I. The great importance of it — The value of religion, generally, is acknowledged by all ; but few are aware of the vast importance of a wise, discreet, and prudent deportment : yet on that essentially depend, 1. The peace and comfort of our own souls — …
705 wordsSECTION 279403.] A Wise Deportment Delineated. 331
3. The honour of God and his Gospel — [The argument which St. Paul uses to enforce on servants the maintenance of a dutiful behaviour towards their unbelieving masters, is, " that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed"." How terrible is the thought that our indiscretions should ever produce such an ef…
650 wordsSECTION 280403.] A Wise Deportment Delineated. 331
332 PSALMS, cii. 2. [403. Saviour *." Such a disposition is lovely even in the sight of God himself, and is esteemed by him as " an ornament of great priced." It should seem that this was a distinguishing feature in our Lord's character, since the Apostle particularly beseeches us '' by the meekness and gentleness…
960 wordsSECTION 281403.] A Wise Deportment Delineated. 331
4. With disinterestedness and simplicity — There is a carnal wisdom, which operates in a way of craft and cunning : but this is directly opposed to " the wisdom that is from above," which consists in simplicity and godly sincerity. It " 1 Thess. V. 22. ' Rom. xiv. iS. '" Prov. viii. 12. ° Eccl. viii. 5. " Gal. ii…
564 wordsSECTION 282404.1 Restoration Of The Jews. 335
ences of the Holy Spirit, to " open the eyes of our understand- ing," and to " guide us into all truth." Without the aid of the Holy Spirit we cannot hope to fill up our several stations in life with true wisdom. David, as a monarch, felt his need of Divine aid to execute the resolution he had formed. Solomon desir…
251 wordsSECTION 283The Restoration Of The Jews.
Ps. cii. 13 — 15. Thou shalt arise ^ and have mercy upon Zion : for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come : for thy servants take pltasure in her stomas, and favour the dust thereof So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. AMIDST all the personal afflic…
568 wordsSECTION 284404.] Restoration Of The Jews. 337
and thirty years before it took place ; and it was accomplished on the self-same day that had been then fixed ^. In like maimer, their deliverance from Babylon was fixed ; nor were thoy detained one hour there beyond the seventy years that had been assigned for their captivity*. Thus is the period fixed for their p…
398 wordsSECTION 285Vol. Iv. Z
'338 PSALMS, cri. 13 — 15. [404. [How many centuries have passed without any efforts made for their conversion to the faith of Christ ! They have been re- garded by the Christian world as utterly unworthy of. notice ; or rather, have been treated by them with all manner of indignity, oppression, and cruelty. But n…
480 wordsSECTION 286404.] Restoration Of The Jews. 339
made low, and the crooked be made straight, and the rough places plain ; and that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all fle&h shall see it together "i."] Nor are we left in uncertainty about, III. The effects of its arrival — To the Jews themselves the effects will be glo- rious— [Such prosperity, bot…
881 wordsSECTION 287Ccccv.
"Neh. ii.2, 3. »Dan. ix. 2,3. ^ 2 Cor. viii. 5. THE ETERNITY AND IMMUTABfLTTY OF CHRIST. Ps. cii. 25 — 28. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth ; and the heavens are the work of thy hands : they shall perish, but thou shall endure ; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shall tho…
395 wordsSECTION 288... I ^ ■ ^
342 -PSA LM s, c 1 1 . 25 — 2 S. [405. appointed season assumed our flesh at Bethlehem, was the eter- nal God; " his goings forth were of old, from everlasting ^"] 2. His immutability — [The material creation is formed only as a theatre for the' display of the Creator's glory : and, wiien it shall have answered i…
631 wordsSECTION 289Duty Of Praising God For His Mercies.
Ps. ciii. 1 — 5. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my ' sold, and Jorget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; ivho healeth all thy diseases : who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; who crowneth thee with loving-kind- ness and tender …
563 wordsSECTION 290406.1 Duty Of Praising God For His Mercies. 345
more than the fallen angels ? and, if we had been dealt with ac- cording to our deserts, where would have been the diflference be- tween us and those who are gone beyond the reach of mercy? Let us but contemplate this, and the smallest mercy we enjoy will appear exceeding great j yea, any thing short of hell will …
680 wordsSECTION 291406.1 Duty Of Praising God For His Mercies. 345
ISay now, what are the feelings which such mercies should ge- nerate in our souls ; and what are the returns which we ought to make to our heavenly Benefactor?] Not doubting but that all of you must acknowledge your obligation to praise God, we will, as God shall enable us, II. Stir you up to the performance of t…
639 wordsSECTION 292Ccccvii.
PERPETUITY OF GOd's MERCY. Ps. ciii. 15 — IS. As for man, his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth : for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting vpon them that fear hinif and his …
715 wordsSECTION 293Ccccvii.
But " the mercy of God towards his people is from everlasting to everlasting" — [As to its origin^ it existed from all eternity. It is not ex- cited in the bosom of our God by any thing that he sees in man : neither the misery of our fallen state, nor any goodness which we may be supposed to manifest, move him to …
638 wordsSECTION 294Ccccviii.
THE christian's DESIRE. Ps. cvi. 4, 5. Remember me, 0 Lord, with the favour that thou hearest unto thy people : 0 visit me ivith thy salvation ; that I may see the good of thy chosen ; that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation ; that I may glory with thine inhe^ ritance ! THE Psalms, though in many parts h…
352 wordsSECTION 295352 Psalms, Cvi. 4, 5. [40B.
neither give nor take away''. But what gladness and glorying will they have, when all grounds of sorrow shall be finally re- h oved' !] Surely such a state is the most excellent on earth ; and therefore. It. To desire a participation of it, is a laudable am- bition— The fervent petitions in the text were, doubtl…
530 wordsSECTION 296Praise To God For Redemption".
Ps. cvii. 1 — 3. 0 give thanka unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, ivhom he hath redeemed from the hand of tJie enemy ; and gathered them out of the lands, from the cast and from the west, from the north and from the south. THE intent of this psalm a…
260 wordsSECTION 297Vol. Iv. A A
364 PSALMS, evil. 1 — 3. [409. people be "." In considering the diiFerent images, we shall notice both the temporal and spiritual deli- verances which they severally refer to : but at pre- sent we shall wave all reference to them, and notice only the great work of Redemption, as set forth in the words before us ;…
455 wordsSECTION 298409.] Praise To God For Redemption. 3^55
them, or that, having heard of him, have been left to perish in a neglect of his salvation : think of these tilings, and then, if you can, deny your obligations to the goodness and mercy of your God ] But let US more especially consider, II. The peculiar obligations of the Redeemed to do so — *' Let the Redeemed…
653 wordsSECTION 299409.] Praise To God For Redemption. 3^55
Ps. cvii. 43. JVhoso is jvise and will olserve these things, even they shall undersland the loving-kindness of the Lord. TO know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, is the highest privilege and perfection of man. This attainment, infinitely beyond all other, con- stitutes true wisdom. But to acquire this know-…
806 wordsSECTION 300409.] Praise To God For Redemption. 3^55
These things being matters of daily occurrence, we shall proceed to mark, II. The benefit arising from an attentive considera- tion of them — From these we shall be led to notice, not merely the agency of God in all the concerns of man, but especially, and above all, his " loving-kindness" also. This will be see…
716 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1819); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.