PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 5 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 242,250 words · 497 reading sections
The Sufferings Of Christ.
3. The misery of those who are not interested in his atonement — [We see what bitter lamentation sin occasioned in him, who bore the iniquities of others, even though he knew that his sufferings would quickly end. What wailing then and gnashing of teeth will they experience, who shall perish under their own perso…
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thirst for blood. All ranks of people combined against him ; and not so much as one was found to administer comfort to him, or to assuage his anguish. Of this he complains as a great additional source of grief and sorrow ; " Reproach hath broken my heart ; and I am full of heaviness : and I looked for some to take…
441 wordsSECTION 123132 Psalms, Xxii. 11—21. [527.
all his hosts, that now sought to devour him. In the midst of these accumulated troubles, he felt above all, and deprecated most urgently, the hidings of his Father's face : " My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" " O be not far from me, be not far from me, O Lord''!" The plea, which in this extremity he off…
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1. With the deepest humihation for havmg occa- sioned him such anguish — [Had we never sinned, our adorable Lord would never have assumed our nature, nor borne any of these agonies which we have been contemplating. In them, therefore, toe should read our guilt and misery. Was he under the hidings of his Father's …
483 wordsSECTION 125134 Psalms, Xxiii. 1—6. [528.
knowledge ;" and all other things, how beautiful soever in their place, should be swallowed up by it, even as the most brilliant stars are eclipsed by the sun. Hence, this formed the one great topic of St. Paul's preaching ; (which he calls " the preaching of the cross ;") for " he determined to know nothing among…
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Is it tlie office of a shepherd to bring hack to the fold his wandering sheep, and to guide them in right paths ? How justly may we unite with David in saying, " Herestoreth my soul; a Matt. xxii. 42—45. ^ Gen. xlix. 24. Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24. John x. 11. he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's s…
741 wordsSECTION 127136 Psalms, Xxiii. 1—6. [528.
Whilst acknowledging thus the goodness of God to him in past times, the Psalmist does not hesitate to proclaim, II. His prospective consolations — These pervade the whole psalm, and arise out of every truth contained in it. Three of his assertions in particular we shall notice : 1. ^a shall not want"— [With suc…
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2. ''I will not fear"— [It were presumptuous in the extreme for any one to use such an expression as this, if he looked only to an arm of flesh: for " of ourselves we have no sufficiency even to think a good thought : " but, vdth such a protector as the Lord Jesus, we may laugh all our enemies to scorn. We know ho…
488 wordsSECTION 129The Ascension Of Christ Typified.
The ignorant world have no idea of this blessed truth : they would account it almost blasphemy to utter such language as this. But the reason is, they know not what a Shepherd, and what a Friend, we have : did they but duly appreciate his love, they would know, that nothing within the sphere of our neces- sities t…
392 wordsSECTION 130140 Psalms, Xxiv. 7—10. [529.
of God under the Jewish dispensation could have no idea of. Let us illustrate this from the psalm before us. This psalm was written on the occasion of car- rying up the ark from the house of Obed-edom to Mount Zion. The ark was the symbol of the Divine presence : and the carrying it up in so solemn and triumphant…
411 wordsSECTION 131529.1 The Ascension Of Christ Typified. 141
But the character here given of him deserves more attentive consideration — [The essential dignity of our Lord is that first mentioned. As " the King of glory," and " the Lord of glory," he could claim heaven as his own. There he had from all eternity beer " in the bosom of the Father:" there he had " had a glory …
488 wordsSECTION 132U2 Psalms, Xxiv. 7—10. [529.
mansions of heaven. It had been covenanted on his Father's part, that after his conflicts on earth he should be raised in his manhood to the right hand of God, and that, thus enthroned, he should put every enemy under his feet^. This was now to be fulfilled : the victory v^^as gained : and nothing now remained to …
455 wordsSECTION 133529.] The Ascension Of Christ Typified. 143
2. As our living Head — [Jesus is the Head and Representative of his people ; inso- much that they may not improperly be said to be even at this time "sitting in and with him in heavenly places'^." But he is also our Head of vital influence, having all fulness of spiritual blessings treasured up in him, in order t…
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Is our blessed Lord ascended to the highest hea- vens ? then, 1. Let our affections be where He is — [This is the improvement which St. Paul himself teaches us to make of this subject p What is there worth a thought, in comparison of this adorable Saviour, who has died for us, and is yet every moment occupied in …
483 wordsSECTION 135The Saint Pleading With God.
" praise and honour and glory will be ascribed, even to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever." " Look then for this glorious period, and haste unto it," as the consummation of all your hopes, and the completion of all your joys": and by adding ^drtue to virtue, and grace to grace, ensure to…
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in it ? and wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" But David had a just view of God's tender mercies : he regarded them as pledges of yet richer blessings in reserve for him : and in this view his request de- serves particular attention. God's mercies are the fr…
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on one occasion, to think that " God had cast him oif, and would be favoui'able to him no more, but had in anger shut up his tender mercies, so that his promise would fail for ever- more," he " called to mind God's wonders of old time," and thus composed his mind, and assured himself that his fears were groundless…
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be reserved for him. He demands the first-fruits as his peculiar portion ; and if the first-fruits of the field, much more the first-fruits of the immortal soul. O! my young friends, I entreat you to reflect how diflerent God's estimate of you.r conduct is from that which you and your thoughtless com- panions form…
460 wordsSECTION 139531.J Meek Docility Inculcated. 149
From " the goodness of God, too," he derives his only plea — [David well knew that God is most glorified in those exercises of mercy which most display his sovereignty and his grace. Hence he desired that God would have respect to his own honour, and shew mercy to him for his goodness' sake. Thus must we, also, t…
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Ps. XXV. 9. The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek he will teach his way. THE necessity of a revelation is universally ac- knowledged : for no man could possibly know God's will, unless God himself should be pleased to com- municate information respecting it from above. But the necessity for any divine …
464 wordsSECTION 141531.] Meek Docility Inculcated. 151
God. He is satisfied with a speculative knowledge : and, if he possess that which may be apprehended by reason, and which may be attained by his own personal exertions, he has all that he desires. All beyond that is, in his estimation, a vain conceit. But a person who possesses the disposition spoken of in our tex…
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comprehend these things : they are a stumbling-block to him ; they are mere " foolishness" in his eyes.] 2. An opposition to our depraved appetites — [The Gospel calls upon us to " mortify our members upon earth," yea, and to " crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts:" and to such an extent does it require…
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2. He will enable them, also, to walk in his ways — [Truth shall not float in their minds as a mere theory or speculation, but shall influence their every act, their universal habit. God will, by his word and Spirit, reduce them from their wanderings, and guide their feet into the way of peace. And, if at any time…
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god's paths are mercy and truth. Ps. XXV. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. IT has often been observed, that there is m the world an indiscriminate distribution of good and evil, without any respect to men's moral characters. And this is confirme…
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Now this covenant every godly person " keeps." He em- braces it gladly, being well persuaded, that if the tenor of it were not precisely what it is, he could have no hope. If the covenant required the performance of certain conditions on his part, without providing him with strength to perform those conditions, an…
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Infer, 1. How excellent a grace is faith ! [It is faith, and faith only, that can enable us to view God's dispensations in this light. If we are weak in faith, we shall be easily drawn to fretfulness and murmuring ; but if we are enabled to see the hand of God in our trials, they wiU all administer occasions of j…
435 wordsSECTION 147533.] Proper Method Of Praying To God. 159
Ps. XXV. 11. For thy names sake, 0 Lord, jyafdon mine ini- quity ! for it is great. GOD is a mighty Sovereign, " who doth according to his own will," " neither giveth account to us of any of his matters." We may indeed mark the traces of wisdom and goodness in every thing which he does ; but " his ways and his th…
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in which their souls were never earnestly engaged ? And can they suppose that God is pleased with a mere lip-service, when their hearts are far from him? Have not others professed godliness indeed, but walked utterly unworthy of their profes- sion, being as proud, and passionate, as worldly too, and covetous, as t…
465 wordsSECTION 149533.1 Proper Method Of Praying To God. 161
which just before importuned liim to accept of mercy, now bids him "depart accursed:" and from that moment his doom is fixed in everlasting burnings. Now can any man reflect on this, and not see the need of crying earnestly for mercy ? Can our petitions be too earnest, or too constant, when they are the appointed,…
429 wordsSECTION 150162 Psalms, Xxv. 12, 13. [534.
2. The most eminent saints have no ground to boast — [There never was a creature that had any righteousness of his own to plead. And if God has had mercy upon any, it was purely and entirely for his own name's sake^. Could we ascend to heaven, and ask the glorified saints what had been the ground of their accepta…
251 wordsSECTION 151534.] The Portion Of Those Who Fear God. 163
Ps. XXV. 12, 13. JFhat man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose : his soul shall dwell at ease. WHERE, as in the psalm before us, different verses begin with the different letters of the Hebrew alphabet, we must not look for a very strict connexion between the different …
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occasion, has wept for sin? but. Where is the person whose heart is habitually broken and contrite, so as to have no hope, no peace, but in the atoning blood of Christ ; and who, notwithstanding* God is reconciled towards him, still lothes himself for his iniquities and abominations ? The man who had fled to a cit…
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glory'-"] 2. " Your soul shall dwell at ease " — [It may be that your former iniquities have been great and manifold ; so that, unless G od interposed in a more than ordi- nary way to support your soul, you would sink into despair. But " where sin has abounded, his grace shall much more abound : " and he will say…
651 wordsSECTION 154534.J The Portion Of Those Who Fear God. 167
s Isai. xxvi. 3. '' Job xxxiv. 29. '. Ps. xci. 1, 9, 10. k Isai.lxvi. 10—13. • Zeph. iii. 17. ™ Jer. xv. 19. n Mai. iii. 18. to confess that it does not belong to me?" Then, Brethren, by your own confession, you have no part in the promises annexed to that character. And, indeed, your own experience confirms this…
539 wordsSECTION 155The Secrets Of The Lord.
Ps. XXV. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them, his covenant. OF the condescension of God, mankind in general form very inadequate conceptions. His greatness is supposed to be such as not to admit of an attention to the trifling concerns of men : and because we stand at an i…
347 wordsSECTION 156535.3 ^"^ Secrets Of The Lord. • 169
In confirmation of this truth, I will endeavour to point out, I. Some of those secrets which God reveals to his faithful people — The whole of the divine life is a secret, from the beginning to the end; and "the joys" arising from it are such as " the stranger intermeddleth not with." But, to descend to particul…
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the kingdom of heaven";" and by the opening of their eyes " they are brought out of darkness into marvellous Hght."] 2. He makes them to know their own personal interest in it — [We are struck with the confidence with which the inspired writers speak, in reference to their own state and the state of their brethre…
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views of it : lie said, " I know that this shall turn to my sal- vation : " nor was he less confident that good would accrue from it, also, to the Church of God : yea, he saw, even whilst in bonds, the beneficial results of his imprisonment ; and declared, that, instead of obstructing the progress of the Gospel, it…
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thee; and that, by the operation of God's mighty power on thy soul, thou shouldst be " turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God ! " Art thou not amazed, that thou shouldst be " taken, when so many are left;" and that the Saviour, who to so many millions is only " a stum- bling-block an…
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of Satan, and all the infirmities of flesh and blood. " Know, then, in whom thou hast believed ; and that, as he is able to keep that which thou hast committed to him'," so " he will preserve thee unto his heavenly kingdom"^."] To IMPROVE this subject, I would further say, 1. Cultivate increasing friendship with G…
467 wordsSECTION 161The Worship Of God Delightful.
to digest it^" But to those who have ears to hear, it is well to speak of these things, as our Lord and his Apostles con- versed of them in the way to Emniaus. Then will your hearts often burn within you ; and your own souls, as well as those of your Brethren, be edified in faith and love.] s 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. Heb…
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1. It was the immediate residence of the Deity — [" I have loved," says lie, " the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour divellethr When Moses made the tabernacle, it pleased God to come down and honour it with his more immediate presence, and to manifest there his glory in the sight of all Isr…
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enemies reproach me, while they say daily unto me, "Where is thy God«?"] 3. There he obtained those supphes of grace and peace which his daily necessities required — [The wliole hook of Psalms is little else than a record of answers to his prayers. " I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inchned unto me, and he…
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seat. Yes, the vail of the temple, at the time of our Saviour's death, was rent in twain from the top to the bottom: and from that very moment a way of access to him has been open for all the sinners of mankind, without exception. This is the construction put on that event by an inspired Apostle, who says, " Havin…
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the Father and the Son ; then as executed by Christ Jesus in his incarnate and glorified state ; and, lastly, as they will be consummated at the day of judgment. Say, then, whether we should not deHght in drawing nigh to God, and having our souls filled with these heavenly contemplations ? If the shadow of these t…
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they not be alike precious to all, if all desired to make a suitable improvement of them ? The truth is, that the gene- rality of persons attend them only as a mere form, without any consciousness of the ends for which they have been ap- pointed. What if we viewed them as our mother's breast, to wliich we were inv…
498 wordsSECTION 167Dxxxvii.
above. He now pours forth liis prayers and praises at such intervals as the infirmity of liis nature will admit of; and he soon shall engage in praising God, without infu'mity or inter- ruption, to all eternity.] David's love to god's ordinances. Ps. xxvii. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I see…
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Here he felt encouragement to pour out his soul before God, and to ask whatsoever his returning necessities might require. This, to him whose trials were so great and manifold, was an unspeakable privilege. The extreme arduousness of his affairs also rendered it most desirable to him to spread all his difficul- ti…
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Nor have we less the advantage of David in relation to the things which we would ask of God: for we are able to inquire more explicitly and distinctly of our God than he could. He indeed might say with Moses, " Lord, shew me thy glory." and God would, as in the case of Moses, " make all his goodness to pass before…
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We should therefore desire it no less than David did — [We should make a point of attending on all stated occa- sions the ordinances of our God. We should not suffer any trifling matter to detam us from them: and, if we are kept from them by any means, it should fill us with grief rather than complacency : and we…
452 wordsSECTION 171The Duty Of Prayer.
consists. We quite mistake if we imagine that religion consists in notions or in forms : it is a taste ; a taste not formed by nature or education ; but wrought in us by the Spirit of God : and the acquisition of this constitutes our meetness for heaven. What happiness could a soul that feels the exercises of devot…
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[He does this by his tvord ; in which he bids us to look to him, and call upon him, and turn to him, and lay hold upon him ; and sends his ministers to invite and beseech us in his name. He does it, also, by his providence : all that he does for us in a way of mercy, is to stimulate us to love him ; and his chasti…
451 wordsSECTION 173538. J The Duty Of Prayer. 187
in perfect harmony with the divine command : and we should, every one of us, reply, " Thy face. Lord, will I seek." This duty we should execute, 1. With a grateful sense of his condescension and grace — [How amazing is it that such a proposal should originate with God ; and that Jehovah should " stand at the door…
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subordinated to that. Other duties, doubtless, should be per- formed in their place : but to obtain God's favour should be our first concern ; and life itself, in comparison of that, should be of no value in our eyes.] Address — [God calls you now, my Brethren, by my voice ; and says to every one of you, " Seek y…
345 wordsSECTION 175539.3 Adoring God For His Mercies. 189
Ps. xxviii. 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield : my heart trusted hi him, and I am helped : therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song tvill I praise him. THE man of this world delights to speak of the things of this world : the man of God delights to speak of God : each speaketh out of the abun…
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power avoid ; and I am enabled to do things, for which my own strength would have been utterly insufficient : by my own ex- perience therefore, no less than from the divine testimony, I can say, " The Lord is my strength, and my shield."] As from David's assertions we learn what God is to us, so from his frame of …
418 wordsSECTION 177540.J God Our Saving Strength. 191
has its perfect work. Some are retarded in their growth by " the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, or the lust of other things, and never bring forth fruit unto perfection." Others are remiss in the duties of the closet, and thereby deprive themselves of those rich communications of grace and peace,…
384 wordsSECTION 178192 Psalms, Xxviii. 8, 9. [540.
Ps. xx\'iii. 8, 9. The Lord is their stre?igth, and he is the savijig strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance : feed them also, and lift them up for ever! IN the Psalms of David we observe many rapid transitions from the depth of sorrow to very exalted joy. In the psalm before us, th…
397 wordsSECTION 179540. 3 God Our Saving Strength. 193
priests unto God and the Father^:" and as all kings and priests under the Law were consecrated with oil, so are these ^'anointed of the Lord^:" and they shall all find God to be '' their strength, their saving strength." Now this is, 1. A true testimony — [Search the records of the Bible in every age, and see wh…
382 wordsSECTION 180194 Psalms, Xxviii. 8, 9. [540.
guilt and danger. He then begs of God to load them with all " blessings" through this dreary wilderness. He entreats that they may be " fed," and " governed," and protected, as sheep by a careful shepherd, or as a faithful people by a wise and powerful Prince 1. And, lastly, he desires that they may be " exalted" …
417 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.