PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 6 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 237,329 words · 495 reading sections
128 Psalms, Xc. 17. [653.
This indeed will not be imparted to any one at once : it is a progressive work : persons must be babes, and young men, before they are fathers : but from the time that they are truly converted unto God, they will " grow in grace," and " make their profiting to appear," till they have " attained to the full measure…
279 wordsSECTION 122130 Psalms, Xc. 17. [653,
to purify us as gold, that we may be vessels of honour, meet for our Master's use. Let us then not be so anxious to get rid of our afflictions, as to obtain from God a sanctified use of them, in brighter manifestations of him, and richer communications from him, and a more entire conformity to him*. Let us but get …
638 wordsSECTION 123Dcliv.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF GOD's PEOPLE. ?s. xci. 1 — 4. He that dtvelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadoiv of the Almighty. I will sag of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress : my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisom…
283 wordsSECTION 124132 Psalms, Xci. 1—4. [654.
in an apostrophe addresses the person whom he has been describing; " Surely he shall deliver theeh," &c. &c. According to this rendering, we have a clear exposition of the character and blessedness of every true believer. Let us consider, then, I. His character — He is not described either by his religious creed …
782 wordsSECTION 125Psalms, Xci. 1—4.
Shall this be thought an exaggerated description ? I do not say that the Divine presence is equally realized by all, or by any equally at all times : there are seasons when a Peter may be " of little faith0 ;" and a Paul may need a special revelation for his support, saying to him, " Be not afraid; but speak, and …
724 wordsSECTION 126Psalms, Xci. 1—4.
2. Of his faithfulness — [For every believer the very truth of God is pledged ; and " life is promised" to him by a " God who cannot Hey." It is not said that the believer shall not be tempted, or " be in heaviness through manifold temptations : but that he shall not be finally overcome, God does engage ; as the A…
390 wordsSECTION 127136 Psalms, Xci. 1—4. [654.
a door of entrance ? This is a point that should be well under- stood. There is but one way to the Father ; and that is by Christ. Our blessed Lord himself tells us this, when he says, " I am the way, the truth, and the life : no man cometh unto the Father but by me." It must never be forgotten, that in our- selve…
520 wordsSECTION 128The Security Of Those Who Dwell In God.
ever; for with the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength1." St. Paul maintained to the uttermost the fear of which we have been speaking ; for he " kept under his body, and brought it into subjection ; lest that by any means, after he had preached to others, he himself should be a cast-away k." But his confi- dence…
370 wordsSECTION 129138 Psalms, Xc1. 9, 10. [655.
merely as reconciled to him, but as affording him (what a dwelling-house affords to its possessor), 1. Free access — [A person goes familiarly to his house at all times, not doubting but that he shall gain a ready admission into it. He considers it as his own, and feels that it exists only for his accommodation. …
475 wordsSECTION 130655.1 Tiie Security Of Those Who Dwell In God. 139
most agreeable, because they are most at ease. And such is God to the believer. " In every place, God is to him as a little sanctuary g," where he finds himself at rest. He carries his wants to God, and " casts all his care on him," and enjoys that peace which passeth all understanding. In this sense he says for h…
459 wordsSECTION 1311 10 Psalms, Xcl 9, 10. [655.
preserving life? Much less then are any sufferings to be accounted evil, which the Believer can ever be called to sus- tain : for he shall never endure any, which shall not work for good to him in this life, and be the means of increasing his weight of glory in the nextV] 2. None hereafter — [It is in this life o…
455 wordsSECTION 132The Character And Privileges Of The Godly.
be afraid of thunder and lightning? Were he but sensible what a Protector he has, he would feel assured that no evil could come unto him. How varied are God's promises to him in the psalm before us ! How diversified also are the assurances given him by Eliphaz in the book of Job r ! Let him only commit himself to …
374 wordsSECTION 133142 Psalms, Xci. 14—16. [656.
possessed of those very perfections which are there ascribed to him. He particularly sees these perfections harmonizing, and glorified, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ ; or, if he be not perfectly clear in his views of these things, he at least is sensible that the divine mercy flows only in one channel, and…
450 wordsSECTION 134656. J Character And Privileges Of The Godly. 143
answered their prayers, yet their feelings, in conjunction with the effects produced by them, will enable them to ascertain it, at least sufficiently for their own encouragement0.] 2. Deliverances from trouble — [The people of God are exposed to troubles no less than others. But they are supported under them by th…
443 wordsSECTION 135God Admired In His Works.
[Being ignorant of God, and destitute of any real love to him, they have no part or lot in his salvation. They are strangers to all those sublime pleasures, which are communicated to God's peculiar people. The witness of the Spirit, and many other unspeakably precious tokens of the divine favour, are with- held fr…
654 wordsSECTION 136146 Psalms, Xcii. 12—15. [658.
II. His experience in the contemplation of them — He was filled, 1. With triumphant joy — [It is not possible to view these wonders of Redeeming Love, and not feel the reasonableness of that command : " Re- joice in the Lord alway ; and again I say, Rejoice b." Well does the Psalmist say, " It is a good thing to …
413 wordsSECTION 137The Believer'S Security.
Ps. xcii. 12 — 15. The righteous shall flourish like the palm- tree : he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be . planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they shall be fat and flourishing ; to shetv that the Lord is uprigh…
553 wordsSECTION 138148 Psalms., Xcii. 12—15. [658.
The confidence with which David announces to the righteous their privileges, will lead us to consider, II. Their security for the enjoyment of them — God has solemnly engaged to confer these bless- ings upon them — [From all eternity did he enter into covenant with his dear Son, that "if he would make his soul an…
862 wordsSECTION 139150 Psalms, Xcii. 12—15. [658.
2. To those who have actually backslidden from God — [Are there none of this character amongst us ? Would to God there were not ! But look back, I pray you, and see whether it is still with you as it was in " the day of your espousals k." Have none of you " left your first love1?" Time was, perhaps, when the conc…
601 wordsSECTION 140Comfort In God.
Ps. xciv. 1 9. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. TO judge of the efficacy of Divine grace, we should see it in actual exercise, and under circumstances calculated to display its power. The writer of this psalm, whoever he was, (for respecting the author or the occasion of it…
333 wordsSECTION 141152 Psalms, Xciv. 19. [659.
in his mind, and be sources of much anxiety within him Religion is not intended to destroy these feelings, but only to regulate them, and to render them subservient to his spiritual welfare ] 2. In reference to the concerns of their souls — [The very intent of piety is, to make every thing that relates to eternit…
426 wordsSECTION 142Devotion To God Recommended And Enforced.
then walks most visibly with them, when they are put into the furnace for his sake. In the mount of difficulty and trial he will be seen. In his people's extremity he vouchsafes to them his richest communications, imparting to them his Holy Spirit, as a Comforter, to witness their adoption into his family, and to …
396 wordsSECTION 143154 Psalms, Xcv. G— 11. [660.
cited in the Epistle to the Hebrews, shews, that the whole psalm is as proper for the use of the Christian, as it was of the Jewish, Church. The peculiar cir- cumstance of its consisting of a mutual exhortation is there expressly noticed : and noticed with parti- cular approbation : " Exhort one another' daily, wh…
411 wordsSECTION 144660.] Devotion To God Enforced. 155
bondage. Like them, we have had spiritual food administered to us in rich abundance in the Gospel of Christ. And if, like them, we harden our hearts, and rebel against our God, like them, we must be excluded from the heavenly Canaan. They by their obstinacy provoked God to exclude them with an oath : O that we may…
456 wordsSECTION 145The Duty Of Making Christ Known To The Heathen.
yes, Brethren, " to-day" " harden not your hearts;" for you know not what a day may bring forth. Before another day, you may be taken into the eternal world ; or, if not, you may provoke God to swear in his wrath, that you shall never enter into his rest ; and then your remaining days will answer no other end, tha…
393 wordsSECTION 146(361.] Duty Of Making Christ Known. 157
indeed only a part of a psalm written originally by David at the time of his bringing up the ark to Mount Zion from the house of Obed-edoma : and this part was selected afterwards for the constant use of the Church, as being calculated to keep up in the minds of men an expectation of the Messiah, and to prepare t…
458 wordsSECTION 147158 Psalms, Xcvi. 1—3. [661.
reconciliation with God ; who, I say, can reflect on this, and not desire to make it known to all the sinners of mankind ? In a word, who can have beheld "the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ," and not desire to reflect the light of it on all who are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death ? Thi…
472 wordsSECTION 148662.1 Worship In The Beauty Of Holiness. 159
much move is it our duty to exert ourselves to the utmost of our power for the preservation of a ruined world.] Address — 1. Those who are lukewarm in the cause of Christ — [Many are so afraid of enthusiasm, that they banish from their minds all that may subject them to such an imputation. Hence, whilst they are …
372 wordsSECTION 149160 Psalms, Xcvi. 9. [662.
Ps. xcvi. 9. 0 worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness/ THE calling of the Gentiles was a very favourite subject with the sweet singer of Israel. It is almost always blended with his sweetest strains. If at any time his soul be inflamed with more than ordinary devotion, it expands itself immediately to the remo…
443 wordsSECTION 150662.] Worship In The Beauty Of Holiness. 161
even at the hour when we might have supposed that the interests of his own subjects would have an exclusive possession of his mind, did David contem- plate the welfare of the Gentiles, and call on them to "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness6." We shall consider these words as containing, I. An invitation …
448 wordsSECTION 151162 Psalms, Xcvi. 9. [662.
to pass away ; and that God would then hold out to every man, whether Jew or Gentile, whether bond or free, the golden sceptre of his grace, with free permission to make known to him his every request, even to the half, or to the whole, of his king- dom. To the Gentiles therefore he calls, to " turn from their ido…
481 wordsSECTION 152662.1 Worship In The Beauty Of Holiness. 1G3
comprehends in her views all that the Scripture utters, without attempting to wrest or pervert any truth which may bear an aspect uncongenial with the dictates of unenlightened reason. It is not possible for the creature to be more deeply humbled, than her worshippers are when confessing their sins before God. And…
482 wordsSECTION 153Dclxiii.
" a kingdom of priests," and may take the blood of your great sacrifice, and sprinkle it with acceptance on the Mercy-seat of your God. O that you might learn to estimate aright your high privilege, and improve it daily to the everlasting benefit of your souls !] 2. Endeavour to extend them to the whole world — […
654 wordsSECTION 154166 Psalms, Xcvii. 2. [663.
Behold the brute creation : these, though incapable of sin, feel bitterly its penal consequences, and shew, beyond a possi- bility of doubt, that they inherit qualities which they did not originally possess; being hostile to each other, and in many instances the common enemies of man. The very earth itself also pa…
874 wordsSECTION 155166 Psalms, Xcvii. 2. [663.
3. The trials to which the elect are subjected, in their way to heaven — [One would suppose that God's chosen people should be freed from the persecutions of men, the assaults of devils, the temptations of sin, and from all which might endanger their salvation: but God sees fit to give both to men and devils a ki…
252 wordsSECTION 156168 Psalms, Xcvii. 2. [663.
Let us yet further contemplate the inscrutableness of God's ways, III. In the final issue of all things — How tremendous will be the difference between the states of different men ! [View heaven and all its glory, and hell with all its misery; and consider that both the one and the other will be eternal: and the…
421 wordsSECTION 157The Blessedness Of The Righteous.
inflicted chastisement upon you, he " has done it for your profit, that you might be partakers of his holiness," and be rendered meet for his glory.] 3. Affiance — [You know not what is before you : but you know that you are in God's hands, and that " not a hair can fall from your head" but by his special appoint…
359 wordsSECTION 158170 Psalms, Xcvii. 11. [664.
Instead of entering into a general description of " the righteous," I shall take that particular repre- sentation here given of them, " the upright in heart :" for this is peculiar to the righteous, and to them alone ; and at the same time there is not a righteous person in the universe whom it does not accurately…
473 wordsSECTION 159664.] The Blessedness Of The Righteous. 171
and allow in ourselves what it condemns in others. But where the heart is truly upright, conscience will act, not according to any selfish views or principles, but with strict ecpuity, according to the unerring standard of the Gospel. This is essential to real integrity: and, when God has "put truth in our inward …
447 wordsSECTION 160172 Psalms, Xcvii. 11. [664.
without and fears within." Much as such a character is admired in theory, it never is really exhibited before men without exciting great offence. From the days of Abel to the present moment, have " those who were born after the flesh hated and persecuted those who were born after the Spirit :" and for the most par…
481 wordsSECTION 161664. J The Blessedness Of The Righteous. 173
under her deepest afflictions, and say, " Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy : when I fall, I shall arise ; when I sit in dark- ness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indig- nation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me : he will brin…
495 wordsSECTION 162174 Psalms, Xcviil 1—9. [665.
present all consideration of the peculiarities of religion, I say, seek an honest and an upright heart. Let your minds be open to the reception of truth, and jour wills be determined to em- brace it. Let conscience act its part, and execute the office of a faithful monitor within you ; and let your lives be regulat…
412 wordsSECTION 163Dclxv.
Christ's advent a ground of joy. Ps. xcviii. 1 — 9. O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things : his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation : his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his…
490 wordsSECTION 164176 Psalms, Xcviii. 1—9. [665.
1. It is the most "marvellous" occurrence that ever the world beheld — [That God should be manifested in human flesh, in order to redeem his enemies from destruction, and to purchase to himself a church with his own blood! great indeed is this mystery of godliness : it has heights and depths that can never be exp…
715 wordsSECTION 165Gentiles Called To Glorify God.
With unanimity — [The Psalmist calls, not only upon all the human race, but even upon the whole inanimate creation, to join in songs of praise and thanksgiving. And how lamentable is it that there should be found a creature upon earth, a rational and redeemed creature, that is indisposed for this exercise! O let u…
523 wordsSECTION 166666.1 Gentiles Called To Glorify God. 179
bondage, and invested with all the blessings of an eternal inheritance " From all other lords that have had do- minion over us," we should now turn to serve the Lord, even that adorable Saviour who has made us free ; yea, we should " serve him with a willing heart b," " coming into his presence," and walking const…
501 wordsSECTION 167180 Psalms, C. 1—5. [666.
III. A further statement of our duty — [Whilst we are filled with joy, our God must have the glory. We must wait upon him in his public ordinances, as well as in our private chambers ; and must " enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise : we must be thankful unto him, and from our in…
473 wordsSECTION 168667.1 Mercy And Judgment Grounds Of Praise. 181
assuredly fulfil : it shall endure, in its full extent, to all gene- rations; nor shall " a jot or tittle of it ever fail." And now I ask, Is there not ground for praise and thanks- giving ? Is it not rather a wonder that any who profess to be his people, can find time for any other employment?] See, then, in this…
340 wordsSECTION 169182 Psalms, Ci. 1. [667.
Ps. ci. 1. I will sing of mercy and judgment : unto thee, 0 Lord, will I sing. THERE are many things in the Christian's expe- rience, the precise quality of which he would find it difficult to determine, if they had not been recorded, as experienced by others, of whose piety we can have no doubt. To sing of mercy…
779 wordsSECTION 170181. Psalms, Ci. I. L(>(>7.
1. To form them to the divine image — [The divine image consists not in any one perfection, but in an assemblage of every perfection that can possibly be ima- gined. So the perfection of a Christian consists not in one grace, or even in one set of graces, but in a combination of all the graces which are suited to …
581 wordsSECTION 171607.1 Mercy And Judgment Grounds Of Praise. 185
they should be needful for him, by a faithful and unchanging God. St. Paul even "took pleasure in them" in this viewq: and regarded them not only as light, but " as lightness itself" from the consideration that they were " working out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory r." The same experience…
466 wordsSECTION 172186 Psalms, Ci. 1. [667.
tilings are against mey." In fact, the very events which he so much deplored, were the means which God had ordained for the preservation of himself and all his family. Job too, in the midst of all his trials, little thought in what they would issue. But " you have seen the end of them7--" and if you will wait to se…
542 wordsSECTION 173A Wise Deportment Delineated.
Ps. ci. 2. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me ? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. EXTENSIVE influence is a most invaluable ta- lent, which entails upon us an awful responsibility, and should therefore be improved with all possible care and diligence. The hi…
312 wordsSECTION 174188 Psalms, Ci. 2. [668.
[An indiscreet conduct, even where the person's intentions on the whole are good, will involve him in many difficulties, and rob him of those supports and consolations which under other circumstances he might enjoy. True it is, that the wisest demeanour will not avail to root out prejudice, or to make religion lov…
489 wordsSECTION 175668.] A Wise Deportment' Delineated. 189
religion, and of justifying their own aversion to it. On the other hand, great good is done by those who "walk circumspectly," and " shine forth as lights in the world e." They "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men f," and " shame those who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ s." What St. Peter …
510 wordsSECTION 176190 Psalms, Ci. 2. [668.
shall be so blameless, " that they who are of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you r."] Having shewn the importance of this resolution, we will distinctly mark, II. The way in which it must be carried into effect — It is scarcely needful to say, that we must have respect to every c…
436 wordsSECTION 177G68.1 A Wise Deportment Delineated. 191
whilst it incapacitates us for encountering the difficulties which it puts in our way. This then we conceive to be our first object, to obtain a humble and subdued spirit, which, whilst it offends none who differ from us, qualifies us to bear with patience, and to turn to good account, whatever evils the un- reaso…
508 wordsSECTION 178192 Psalms, Ci. 2. [668.
prudence : they have only to follow their own notions of duty, and to leave all consequences to God. Hence they go forward in their own way, and in their own spirit; never once con- sidering, what may be the effect of their conduct on the minds of others : and, though they may do some good, they do more injury tha…
503 wordsSECTION 179(368.1 A Wise Deportment Delineated. 193
it make us " wise as serpents, it will keep us harmless as doves4." Every measure of deceit must be banished; all falsehood, either in word or deed, abhorred ; and truth and equity must stand confessed in the whole of our dealings. This is true wisdom ; and, " whosoever walks according to this rule, peace shall be …
478 wordsSECTION 180Integrity.
standing heart," above all the children of men. As ministers of God's word, we need the same : for St. Paul says, in refer- ence to the ministry, " who is sufficient for these things?" The same must be said by us in every station and relation of life. We all have our own peculiar duties to perform ; and wisdom con…
359 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.