PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 5 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 242,250 words · 497 reading sections
556.] Compassion To The Sick. 263
less than in our purse. It was in this way that Job exercised this amiable disposition : " Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the poor^ ? " And it is in this way that we also must fulfil the law of Christ^ ] But more especially should we feel this from a regard for their souls …
470 wordsSECTION 242264 Psalms, Xxxv. 13, 14. [556.
sick, and see but little fruit of our labour. Indeed, much of the fruit which we think we see, proves only like the blossom that is soon nipped by the frost, and disappoints our expectations. Not that our labour shall be altogether in vain"^. We are per- suaded, that if we labour with assiduity and tenderness to b…
478 wordsSECTION 243556.] Compassion To The Sick. ^65
1. The poor — [We have represented you as in some respects under great disadvantages in a time of sickness: but in other respects the advantage is altogether on your side. The friends of the rich are almost uniformly bent on keeping from them all those who would seek to benefit their souls : and, if one get access…
470 wordsSECTION 244Awful State Of Ungodly Men.
exists, it will be a pleasure to contribute towards the carrying on a work of such incalculable importance. When St. Paul went up to confer with the Apostles at Jerusalem, they added nothing to his knowledge of the Gospel ; " only they would that he should remember the poor: the same which I also (says he) was for…
414 wordsSECTION 245557. J Awful State Of Ungodly Men. 267
corruption of heart, and carries with it, to any dis- passionate mind, a conviction that the person who pursues that course has not within him the fear of God. This was the impression made on David's mind, when he said, " The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before h…
389 wordsSECTION 246268 Psalms, Xxxvi. 1. [557.
appetite is to " make our belly our god'\" And hence St. John, having set forth " the Lord Jesus as the true God and eternal life," guards us against any alienation of our hearts from him, in these memorable words : " Little children, keep yourselves from idols \" And here let me again observe, it is the dis- posi…
463 wordsSECTION 247557.1 Awful State Of Ungodly Men. 269
[A thief would not steal, if he knew that the eyes of the proprietor were fastened on him : yea, even the presence of a child would be sufficient to keep the adulterer from the per- petration of his intended crimes. But he regards not the presence of Almighty God. If he be out of the sight of any fellow-creatvu-e,…
481 wordsSECTION 248270 Psalms, Xxxvi. 1. [557.
that God is merciful, too merciful to punish any one, unless it be, perhaps, some extraordinarily flagrant transgressor. Hence, though they know they are sinners, they never think of re- penting, or of changing that course of life which, if the Scrip- tures be true, must lead them to perdition. Only see the state …
575 wordsSECTION 249The Self-Flattering Delusions Of Sinners Exposed.
Ps. xxxvi. 2. He Jiattereth himself in Iiis onm eyes, until his iniquity he found to he hateful. IT may well astonish us to see how careless and indifferent men are about the favour of God. But the Psalmist assigns the true reason for it. Every one cherishes in his mind some delusion, whereby he lulls his conscie…
250 wordsSECTION 250^72 Psalms, Xxxvi. 2. [558.
events, it is time enough yet to think of turning seriously to God 'I ] 2. Among those who profess some regard for rehgion — [They judge that a moral conduct, with a regular ob- servance of the outward forms of religion, is all that is required*^ Or, that the embracing of the truths of the Gospel, and joining th…
738 wordsSECTION 251274 Psalms, Xxxvi. 4. [559.
2. Pray for the teaching of God's Spirit — [With deceitful hearts, a subtle adversary, and a tempting world, we are continually in danger : nor can we hope to be guided aright but by the Spirit of the living God. Even the Scriptures themselves will be " a dead letter," and " a sealed book " to us, unless the Spiri…
259 wordsSECTION 252559.] Sin To Be Abhorred. 273
Ps. xxxvi. 4. He abhorreth not evil. THE standard of morals in the Christian world is far below that which is established in the Sacred Records : and hence arises that self-justifying spirit which prevails in every place. Gross iniquities, which affect the welfare of society, are condemned : but less flagrant off…
725 wordsSECTION 253276 Psalms, Xxxvi. 4. [559.
^ Isai. vi. 5. <" Rom. vii. 12. ^ 1 John iii. 4. " Rom. vii. 13. f Heb. ix. 26. e 1 John iii. 8. 1' Heb. X. 29. t2 an open shamed" No wonder, then, that God, when dissuading us from the commission of sin, addresses us in those pungent terms, " O, do not that abominable thing which I hate''."] But instead of our …
498 wordsSECTION 254559.] Sin To Be Abhorred. 277
US no such painful emotions. To abhor it, and " abhor our- selves" for the hidden workings of it in our souls, as holy Job did", we know not: to " lothe ourselves" as hateful and abo- minable on account of it°, so as to "blush and be confounded before God," and scarcely to " dare to lift up our eyes to heaven" on …
478 wordsSECTION 255Dlx.
differ from another in respect of outward sin: but in respect of alienation of heart from the holy Law of God, and an utter incapacity to restore ourselves to his favour, all are on a perfect level. I entreat you, then, all of you without ex- ception, to " wash in the Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness^, …
711 wordsSECTION 256280 Psalms, Xxxvi. 6. [560.
Now say, whether this be not " a great deep." Who can comprehend it ? Who is not lost in wonder at the contem- plation of it ?] 2. Our recovery by Jesus Christ — [That there should be a possibility of restoring man to the divine favour, is what no finite intelligence could ever have conceived. Not one of the fall…
926 wordsSECTION 257282 Psalms, Xxxvl 7, 8. [561.
Let us, then, learn from hence, 1. Submission to God's will — [We may have been brought into circumstances of the most afflictive nature : but we should remember who it is that ordereth all things, even to the falling of a sparrow upon the ground. Men and devils may be labouring for our de- struction : and God ma…
518 wordsSECTION 258561.1 The Loving-Kindness Of God. 283
Ps. xxxvi. 7, 8. How excellent is thy loving-Mndness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall he abundantly satisfied luith the fatness of thy house : and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. THE more we know of man, the more shall we see…
432 wordsSECTION 259284 Psalms, Xxxvi. 7,8. [561.
depresses, no grief dejects. Whatever we want of pardon, peace, or strength, one thought suffices to support the soul ; " he who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things H" This is the genuine and legitimate use which we are to make of the lo…
459 wordsSECTION 260Christ The Fountain Of Life And Light.
all the day Let it lead us to trust in him both for body and soul — • And let a sense of it shed abroad in our hearts, be the one object of our desire ^ and delight^ ] y Ps. xxvii. 4. z Phil. iii. 8. Ps. xxxvi. 9. With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light. BY a sober consideration of Scri…
320 wordsSECTION 261286 Psalms, Xxxvi. 9. [562.
is set forth throughout all the sacred oracles, by prophets'^, by Apostles^, and more especially by himself^ We may well therefore apply to him the comparison before us : and we shall find it admirably descriptive of his real character.] He is to the spiritual, what the sun is to the ma- terial, world — [The sun …
380 wordsSECTION 262562.1 Christ The Fountain Of Life And Light. 287
happiness, often prove only a fleeting meteor, or a delusive vapour. But a sight of Christ, of his fulness, his suitableness, his all-sufficiency, affords a ground of comfort, firm as the rocks, and lasting as eternity'^ — ] 3. Our hearts shall be " renewed in righteousness and true hoUness'" — [Nothing produces …
412 wordsSECTION 263Dlxiil
2. How unspeakable is the blessedness of knowing Christ ! [If we could conceive ourselves in a region where a win- ter's midnight was perpetuated ; and then be transported in idea to a climate, where noontide light, and vernal beauty, were uninterruptedly enjoyed, we might have some faint image of the change effe…
802 wordsSECTION 264290 Psalms, Xxxvi. 10. [563.
^ Isai. xxvi. 12. VOL. V. U of the godly; so exceeding cold are they, and unsuited to our state as redeemed sinners. We need, therefore, the continuance of God's tender mercies to us yet daily, as much as ever we did in our carnal and unre- generate state.] And what should we do, if God should withdraw his lovi…
656 wordsSECTION 265290 Psalms, Xxxvi. 10. [563.
2. By the intercession of Christ — [St. John has said, " If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the pro- pitiation for our sins''." Yes, were it not that the Lord Jesus Christ lives to intercede for us in heaven, it could not be but that God's displeasure must br…
721 wordsSECTION 266290 Psalms, Xxxvi. 10. [563.
can be imagined^' and therefore we may be assured that for his own name and honour sake " he will keep his people by his own power through faith unto salvation 5':" as it was said by Samuel, " The Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it hath pleased him to make '1 Isai. liii. 10. ■■…
523 wordsSECTION 267Confidence In God Recommended.
Ps. xxxvii. 3 — 6. Trust in the Lord, and do good: so shalt thou dwell m the land, and verily thou shalt he fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord : and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass : and he shall bring forth thy righte…
361 wordsSECTION 268564.1 Confidence In God Recommended. 295
given us to do." We should not merely attend to good works in general, but consider what is that particular " good" which God is calling us to do : perhaps it is to exercise meekness and patience ; or perhaps to put forth fortitude and firmness. In the event of persecution for righteousness' sake, these graces mus…
482 wordsSECTION 269296 Psalms, Xxxvii. 3—6. [564.
and as pledged to bring him in safety to the harbour where he would be. If any anxious thought arise, he checks it ; and " casts all his care on Him, who careth for him." This we should do in reference to every concern whatever. In relation to temporal things, we should have no more anxiety than the fowls of the a…
485 wordsSECTION 270564.1 Confidence In God Recommended. 297
2. He will fulfil our desires — [If our desires were after the things of time and sense, we might expect to have them withheld from us : but if they be, as the believer's are, after God himself, we shall never be dis- appointed : on the contrary, the more earnest and enhu-ged our desire is, the more certain we are…
492 wordsSECTION 271298 Psalms, Xxxvii. 23, 24. [565.
[All tliat is implied either in the precepts or the promises of our text is altogether unknown to those who experience not the power of religion in their hearts. Whatever burthens they have, are borne upon their own shoulders : they know not what it is to cast them upon the Lord. Hence, when oppressed with heavy t…
362 wordsSECTION 272Dlxv.
godV interest in his people. Ps. xxxvii. 23, 24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ; and he delighteth in his ivay. Though he fall, he shall not he utterly cast doton : for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. THAT Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, should regard one rather than another…
664 wordsSECTION 273Dlxv.
These truths can never be abused, if we consider, on the other hand, n. What return he looks for at their hands — Doubtless it is God who alone can give men " either to will or to do that which is good^ :" but, as the Articles of our Church express it, " He worketh in us, that we may will ; and then worketh zcith…
761 wordsSECTION 274The Security Of The Upright Soul.
° Deut. xxxiii. 27. p Isai. xl. 11. ^ Isai. xlv. 24. r Ps. cxix. 117. ^ Phil. iv. 13. * 2 Cor. xii. 10. u Luke xxii. 31. ^ Amos ix. 0. > Matt, xviii. 14. z Jer. xvii. 5, 6. ^ Isai. xli. 10. God adds, I will take the whole matter into my own hands, and " altogether uphold you with the right hand of my right- eousn…
383 wordsSECTION 275566.1 The Security Of The Upright Soul. 303
[The express promise of God to all who embrace the new covenant is, " I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts '\" And this promise he fulfils, through the all-powerful operation of his Holy Spirit upon their souls. As he caused Moses to come up to him on Mount Horeb with tables of sto…
518 wordsSECTION 276804 Psalms, Xxxvii. 31. [5G0,
of Israel P." The proudest Pharisees would " bind the law of God upon their hands, and wear it as frontlets between their eyes :" but the godly alone fulfilled the true intent of that ordinance, by " laying up God's words in their heart and in their soul^." So now " He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is…
441 wordsSECTION 2775G6.] The Security Of The Upright Soul. 305
according to God's word^?" Whatever then they are solicited to do, they bring it to this touchstone, and try it "by the haw and the testimony." If they find not the pi'ecept clear, they hesitate : and, if they find not the footsteps of Christ and his Apostles, they pause. They know, that " whatsoever is not of fai…
493 wordsSECTION 278306 Psalms, Xxxvii. 31. [566.
according to tlieir day V' and enabling them " to do all things through his strength communicated to them"*."] Hence then we may see, 1. Whence it is that so many professors of religion dishonour their high and holy calling — [It is a melancholy fact, that many who profess godhness are a disgrace to their profess…
721 wordsSECTION 279308 Psalms, Xxxviii. 1—9. [567.
David's distress and consolation. Ps. xxxviii. 1 — 9. 0 Lord, rebuke me not iti thy wrath, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure : for thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no sound- ness in my flesh because of thine anger ; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my s…
733 wordsSECTION 280308 Psalms, Xxxviii. 1—9. [567.
But in the midst of all this trouble, he makes mention of, II. His consolation — Whilst deeply bemoaning his sin, he was assured that God was privy to all the workings of his soul, beholding his desires, and hearing all his groans. Now this was a great consolation to him, because he well knew, 1. That God, in t…
336 wordsSECTION 281310 Psalms, Xxxviii. 1—9. [567.
and in answer to them, he will " do for us exceeding abun- dantly above all that we can ask or think."] 2. That to such expressions of penitence all the promises of God are made — [It is not to the fluent tongue, but to the contrite heart, that pardon and peace are promised. " To this man will 1 look," says God, …
473 wordsSECTION 282508 J The Shortness Of Human Life. 311
rational? Whose prospects most happy? With the one " God is angry every day ; " on the other he looks with complacency and delight : the joys of the one will soon termi- nate in inconceivable and everlasting misery ; and the sorrows of the other in endless and mispeakable felicity ^. The sinner in the midst of all…
366 wordsSECTION 283312 Psalms, Xxxix. 4, 5. [568,
Ps. xxxix. 4, 5, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is ; that I may knoiv hoiv frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth ; and mine age is as nothing before thee ! verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. THERE is nothing more painful to a pious …
475 wordsSECTION 284568.] The Shortness Of Human Life. 313
want of serious consideration. But when persons are grown to maturity, we might well expect them to feel so obvious a truth. They see that multitudes are cut off at their age; and they know that with the termination of the present life all oppor- tunities of preparing for eternity must cease : yet they not only do…
522 wordsSECTION 285314 Psalms, Xxxix. 4, 5. [568.
a shuttle wliicli flies quickly through the loom^: to a ship, which soon passes away, and leaves no trace behind it : to an eagle, which, with the rapidity of lightning, hasteth to its prey**: but the image in our text is more striking than them all ; because, whilst it is peculiarly simple, it is also practical, …
449 wordsSECTION 286568.] The Shortness Of Human Life. 315
we see those who promised themselves years wherein to enjoy their newly-acquired wealth, cut short, and called in an instant to their great account : we see it continually before our eyes : the messenger of death is sent to many, who think of their end as little as any of us can do ; and the sentence, " Thou fool, …
525 wordsSECTION 287316 Psalms, Xl. 1—3. [569.
this world is," would produce in us, if not an indifference to the concerns of time, yet at least a moderation in our regard for them\] 2. To augment our diligence in preparing for eternity — [Who that considered the uncertainty of life, would defer the concerns of his soul, which are of more importance than ten …
402 wordsSECTION 288569*]] Encouragement To Pray. 317
David's success in prayer an encouragement to us. Ps. xl. 1 — 3. I ivaited patiently for the Lord, and he mclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath 'put a new song in my mouth, even prai…
433 wordsSECTION 289318 Psalms, Xl. 1—3. [569.
his distress to have arisen chiefly on account of sin, under a sense of which, 1. He " waited patiently upon the Lord" — [He betook himself to prayer. And where should a weary and heavy-laden sinner go, but unto his God ; or how should he approach his God, but in a way of humble, fervent, and continual supplicati…
456 wordsSECTION 290569.] Encouragement To Pray. 319
SO circumstanced ? The state of Jeremiah, when cast into a dungeon, and sunk in the mire, and ready to perish with hunger^, was distressing to flesh and blood : but what was that to a sinner shut up in hourly expectation of the wrath of an offended God ? Oh ! it is inexpressibly tremendous : no tongue can tell how…
493 wordsSECTION 291320 Psalms, Xl. 1—3. [5G9-
OUT Lord Jesus Christ : the unconverted man knows it not : he has not a heart attuned to it. He may feel somewhat of gratitude for temporal mercies ; but for the communication of spiritual blessings he cannot render any cordial thanks, because he never has received them, nor ever felt his need of them. Jeremiah mi…
451 wordsSECTION 292570.] Christ A Preacher Of Righteousness. 321
world : if I in a dying hour do but ask forgiveness, I also shall obtain mercy : and therefore I will not trouble myself about turning unto God, till I find, or think I find, that death is coming upon me. But let not any of us be guilty of so per- verting the mercies of our God: let us "not so despise his goodness…
425 wordsSECTION 293322 Psalms, Xl. 9, 10. [57O.
Ps. xl. 9, 10. I have jiTeaclied righteousness in the great con- gregation : Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knoioest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart: I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation : I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congrega…
416 wordsSECTION 294570.3 Christ A Preacher Of Righteousness. 323
reveal. He told his hearers, that "he had many thmgs to say unto them ; but that they could not bear them then""." Yet did he so far unfold the mystery of godliness to his hearers, that all future revelations of it should evidently appear to be only a continuation and enlargement of the same divine testimony. 1.…
356 wordsSECTION 295Y 2
32i' PSALMS, XL. 17. [571. Let me then inquire, L What know you of this subject ? [It is surprising how ignorant of this great salvation many are, even after it has been preached to them faithfully for many years. But the truth is, men do not meditate on what they hear, or pray to God to impress it on their minds…
365 wordsSECTION 296571.1 Consolation To The Distressed. 325
Ps. xl. 17. 7 amjioor and needy ; yet the Lord thinJceth upon me. THAT part of the Holy Scriptures which most fully opens the exercises of the heart is the book of Psalms. There we see a man of God unbosoming himself before his Maker, and declaring all his hopes and fears, his griefs and consolations. Sometimes he…
510 wordsSECTION 297S26 Psalms, Xl. 17. [571.
2. A sense of his weakness — [David had other enemies than those who opposed his regal authority. He complains in another psalm, " Iniquities prevail against me"^:" and he found it exceeding difficult to subdue them. On this account also he used the expressions in the text. He felt himself poor and needy in -refer…
458 wordsSECTION 298571.] Consolation To The Distressed, 327
engage his attention in comparison of such a sight ! David was sensible, that in the midst of all his spiritual distress he was not forgotten of his God ; but that he was, notwithstanding all . his unworthiness, an object of his paternal care'".] What comfort must such a consideration afford him ! [Surely greater …
440 wordsSECTION 299Dlxxii.
happy experience, that " God's thoughts and ways as far exceed ours, as the heavens are above the earth*."] '^ t See Ps. Ixxii. 12, 13. which may be illustrated by Jonah i. 6, 15. and ii. 1 — 10. " If this were a subject for a Charity Sermon, the Application should be altered, and another substituted, recommending…
786 wordsSECTION 300330 Psalms, Xlii. 1,2. [572
Let us then contemplate, II. The evidences of this frame, wherever it exists — Such a frame of mind must of necessity be attended with correspondent efforts to attain its object. There will be in us, 1. A diligent attendance on all the means of grace — [Where shall we look for God, but in his holy word, where he…
807 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.