PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 6 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 237,329 words · 495 reading sections
324 Psalms, Cx1X. 37. [701.
avenues. Some have found to their cost, that one sinful idea, which they have either seen in a book or picture, or heard in conversation, has abode with them through life, when they have greatly desired to forget it ; whilst hundreds of sermons which they would have been glad to have remembered, have passed from t…
503 wordsSECTION 302701.1 Hindrance Of Worldly Vanities. 325
was sent to deliver us, we should be adoring God for it as the richest of all mercies. Let our distress be either in body or mind, who will not bless God for it, if it be the means of weakening the influence of worldly objects on his soul, and of keeping his eyes from beholding vanity ? But, in addition to this, w…
522 wordsSECTION 303True Liberty.
Ps. cxix. 45. / will walk at liberty ; for I seek thy precepts. JUSTLY as civil liberty is appreciated amongst us, there are but few who have just conceptions of that liberty which has respect to morality and reli- gion. Every one knows that unrestrained liberty is licentiousness : but every one does not know, tha…
373 wordsSECTION 304702.] True Liberty. 327
members d." In fact, there is not any one so ignorant, but that even his unenlightened reason prescribes to him a better path than he pursues. Let us look around, and see what are the dispositions and habits of all around us. Are not all " fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the minde," without affecting an…
446 wordsSECTION 305328 Psalms, Cxix. 45. [702.
a command which does not eonduce to the happiness of all who obey it. His own mind and conscience go along with the word of God, and set their seal to the truth and excellency of every thing contained in it. " Not one commandment appears to him to be grievous p :" the whole law of God is esteemed by him as " holy,…
503 wordsSECTION 306Comfort Under Persecution.
Let me then, in conclusion, commend this liberty to your acceptance — [Think not, my Brethren, that the Gospel is a mere sys- tem of restraints : no, it is a "perfect law of liberty y:" and " all who are made free by Christ, are become free indeed2." O that religion were but understood in this view ! No captive w…
399 wordsSECTION 307330 Psalms, Cxix. 51, 52. [703.
men : and consequently, that, whichever of the two we serve, we must of necessity lose the favour of the other. This is what our blessed Lord has told us : " Ye cannot serve God and mammon ; " ye cannot ad- here to either without despising and renouncing the otherb. And the truth of this has been exemplified in a…
448 wordsSECTION 308703.1 Comfort Under Persecution. 331
that he was preparing the arkk! What an object of derision, too, was Isaac, on account of his confidence in God1! Behold Lot also in Sodomm, and Elisha" and Jeremiah0 in Israel: or rather, look at our blessed Lord himself, and all his holy Apostles ; what was there too contemptuous for the ungodly to say either of…
475 wordsSECTION 3093M Psalms, Cxix. 51, 52. [703.
lay to heart the displeasure of others, however contemptuously or virulently it may be displayed. Onward we should go in our destined path, not turning either to the right hand or to the left. If the whole world should deride us, we should not be induced either to do any thing which will offend our God, or to forb…
472 wordsSECTION 310704.] Speedy Conversion Recommended. 333
" rejoice and leap for joy, because great will be our reward in heaven e." Besides, in these afflictions we are made "partakers of Christ's sufferings ; " and by means of them " the Spirit of glory and of God is made more visibly and more abundantly to rest upon us : " and though, " on the part of our enemies, God…
375 wordsSECTION 311334 Psalms, Cxix. 59, 60. [704.
Ps. cxix. 59, 60. / thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. AT what period of David's life these words were written, we are not informed : if in his early youth, they relate to his first conversion to God ; but if in his middle or more a…
442 wordsSECTION 312704.1 Speedy Conversion Recommended. 335
such as he requires us to be. In this lies the vast difference between the standard of the world and that of God : the world regards nothing but our outward conduct, and that chiefly in reference to the welfare of society ; whereas God has respect to all our dispositions towards him and his Christ, and to all our …
467 wordsSECTION 313336 Psalms, Cxix. 59, Go. [704,
But it is folly and madness to defer this important work — [It must be done; or else we inevitably and eternally perish No man can call an hour his own. " We know not what a day, an hour, a moment, may bring forth :" whilst we are looking for days and years to come, God may say, " Thou fool, this night thy soul s…
472 wordsSECTION 314705.1 The Goodness Of God. 387
2. Fidelity in acting — [Were a traveller, after long and laborious search, to find the true way to the place whither he was journeying, he would retrace his steps, and proceed in the path which led to the place of his destination. It might be less pleasant than his former path ; but still he would walk in it. Say…
252 wordsSECTION 315338 Psalms, Cxix. 68. [705.
Ps. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doest good: teach me thg statutes. THE perfections of God, if considered only in a speculative view, must excite our admiration ; but, if contemplated in reference to our state and conduct, they will be to us a source of unspeakable comfort, and a spring of incessant activity. Wha…
560 wordsSECTION 316706.1 The Benefit Of Affliction. 339
then only shall we keep his statutes, when God himself shall " write them on the fleshy tables of our hearts."] But the petition has peculiar force as grounded on a discovery of God's goodness ; for, in that, as in a glass, we see, 1. Our duties — [The law of God primarily declares our duty towards him : but non…
311 wordsSECTION 317340 Psalms, Cxix. 71. [706.
Ps. cxix. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. DAVID had " been afflicted from his youth up " and we think it highly probable that to that very circumstance he was indebted, under God, for those extraordinary attainments in devotion and holi- ness, which have rendered…
464 wordsSECTION 318706.1 The Benefit Of Affliction. 341
[In the midst of carnal enjoyments a man wishes for nothing more : but when trials of various kinds oppress his mind, his taste for earthly gratifications is weakened : their in- sufficiency to remove, or even to alleviate, trouble is felt ; and they no longer afford him that kind of satisfaction which they once d…
484 wordsSECTION 319342 Psalms, Cxix. 71. [706.
God's wrath upon us by the most heinous iniquities, yet if we humble ourselves under his chastisements, and implore mercy at his hands, we shall, like him, be heard, and be made stupen- dous monuments of his power and grace g. Did he ever regret the sufferings by which he was thus brought to enjoy peace with God? …
443 wordsSECTION 320706.] The Benefit Of Affliction. 343
in many of his psalmsk But yet his testimony in our text was the real dictate of his heart. And we may ask of others, Were the wounds which brought you to the heavenly Physician too severe ? Do you not number them amongst your richest mercies? Has not every loss been more than com- pensated in the acquisition of s…
479 wordsSECTION 321344 Psalms, Cxix. 76. [707.
man. Know that there is no other knowledge of any import- ance whatever in comparison of this ; and that, if even the most grievous sufferings should be welcomed as accessary to the attainment of it, much more must it deserve all the time and attention that can be bestowed upon it. You never need fear that you wil…
382 wordsSECTION 322The Loving-Kindness Of God.
Ps. cxix. 76. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. THE peculiar construction of this psalm forbids us to look for much connexion between its several parts. It is composed of short detached sentences, committed to writing at different times as they oc- …
469 wordsSECTION 323346 Psalms, Cxix. 76. [707.
II. Why David prayed that it might be for his comfort ? He did so, 1. Because, without a sense of it, his trials would have been insupportable — [David was exposed to many and severe trials : and, if lie had not been favoured with peculiar supports, he would have sunk under them. This he often mentions c : and St…
453 wordsSECTION 324Dccviii.
david's boasting explained and vindicated. Ps. cxix. 97 — 100. 0 how love I thy Laiv ! It is my medita- tion all the day. Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me iviser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I under…
389 wordsSECTION 325348 Psalms, Cxix. 97—100. [708.
unconverted character, whoever he might be, had no higher wisdom than that which was human ; whilst the man who was taught by the word and Spirit of God, possessed a wisdom that was truly divine. In this view, then, I propose to vindicate the language of my text ; and to shew, that David, in obeying the word of G…
757 wordsSECTION 326The True Test Of Religion In The Soul.
2. A word of advice — [" Love the word of God." Verily, it is deserving of all your love and you should " esteem it more than your necessary food." Next, " meditate upon it all the day." Many read the Scriptures without profit, because they do not rumi- nate upon them, and digest them in their souls. Let some sho…
499 wordsSECTION 327709.1 The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 351
two things, — The Christian character as here deli- neated, and The light which it reflects upon the Gospel of Christ ! I. The Christian character as here delineated — In the text is drawn a broad line of distinction between the child of God, and every other person under heaven. Christians are either nominal or …
329 wordsSECTION 328352 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
The nominal Christian may also love those precepts which do not materially condemn him. The man who is sober, chaste, honest, just, temperate, benevolent, may take a real pleasure in such passages of Scripture as inculcate the virtues in which he supposes himself to have excelled ; and may feel an indignation agai…
378 wordsSECTION 329709.1 The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 35S
only alternative between that and the taking his portion in " hell-fire," is no pleasing sound in his ears, notwithstanding it proceeds from the meek and lowly Jesus0. Least of all is he gratified with precepts that strike at his besetting sin. The proud man does not delight to hear the workings of pride delineat…
363 wordsSECTION 330354 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
claiming any thing on the ground of his own worthi- ness, saying, " God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." He thankfully traces all his mercies to the covenant made from all eternity between the Father and the Son ; and to that covenant he looks, as " ordered in all things, a…
386 wordsSECTION 331709.1 The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 355
they are all " holy, and just, and good :" and he loves them as perfective of his nature, and conducive to his happiness. He loves them, I say, as 'perfective of his nature. For what is holiness, but a conformity to the Divine image, as sin is to the image of the devil ? It was by transgression that man lost that…
372 wordsSECTION 332356 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
falls short of it, he groans inwardly, and says with the Apostle, " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death ?" Behold, then, the Christian's character as here delineated. To a superficial observer he may not appear to differ much from others ; but to those who have had oppo…
356 wordsSECTION 333709.1 The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 357
Three things it suggests to us ; namely, An answer to those who misrepresent the Gospel — A reproof to those who would abuse the Gospel — and A direction to those who would adorn the Gospel. First, we may derive from hence an anszver to those who misrepresent the Gospel. It has in all ages been a favourite argume…
360 wordsSECTION 334358 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
counted for righteousness : even as David describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered ; blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sinf." Here we have a full exposition of Davi…
352 wordsSECTION 33570D.] The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 35J)
comes it that a higher tone of morality is universally expected from those who maintain that doctrine, than from others ? Whence is it that the smallest evils in such persons are more severely marked, than the most licentious courses of the ungodly world ? We appeal to all who hear us, Whether, if a professor, an…
433 wordsSECTION 336360 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
is a proof, that both the obligation to holiness is acknowledged on his part, and the performance of it is expected on yours ; and consequently, that the Gospel is, by your mutual consent, " a doctrine ac- cording to godliness." From the passage before us, we may in the next place, offer a reproof to those who wo…
390 wordsSECTION 337709. The True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 361
what use does he teach us to make of this liberty ? Does he speak of it as freeing us from all moral restraints ? No ; but as a reason for our giving up ourselves henceforth in a marriage union to Christ as our second husband, that we may bring forth fruit unto God\ Now then, we would ask, Were David and Paul rig…
384 wordsSECTION 338362 Psalms, Cxix. 128. [709.
discourage the fullest confidence in God. It is our privilege, doubtless, to trace all our mercies up to his everlasting love, and to view them all as secured to us by covenant and by oathk : but then it is no less our privilege to fulfil God's will, and to resemble the holy angels, of whom it is said, that " they…
392 wordsSECTION 339709.1 Ti1E True Test Of Religion In The Soul. 363
moment : you are " not to follow a multitude to do evil :" if a thing be right, you should love it and cleave to it, though the whole world should be against you ; just as Noah, Daniel, and Elijah did : and, if a thing be evil, you must not do it, though the loss of all things, yea even of life itself, should awai…
357 wordsSECTION 340The Christian'S Chief Desires.
relates either to God or man. Let your enemies, if possible, "have no evil thing to say of you ;" nothing to lay hold of; nothing that shall give occasion for that malignant triumph, " There ! there ! so would we have it." Be jealous for the honour of Christ and his Gospel. Remember that the world, who are blind …
338 wordsSECTION 341710.1 The Christian'S Chief Desires. 365
enjoyment of the heavenly world. Let us but get the spirit of the Psalmist in the prayer before us, and we shall have no reason to complain that we were not amused with curious speculations, or edified with matters of deep research. Our business on the present occasion will be quite simple, namely, I. To explain…
439 wordsSECTION 342366 Psalms, Cxix. 132, 133. [710.
times he should take encouragement, and should enlarge his expectations to the utmost extent that the sacred records authorize. God is the same gracious and almighty Being in every age: and what he has done for one he may do for another : and though he may not vouchsafe to us precisely the same interpositions as h…
472 wordsSECTION 343710.1 The Christian'S Chief Desires. 367
useful instruction. Mercy is to be sought in the first place. To look for sanctification first, and make that a ground whereon to hope for mercy, would subvert the whole Gospel of Christ. We mean not to say, that we should build such an observation as this on the mere circumstance of the petitions occurring in that…
492 wordsSECTION 344Reasons For Weeping Over Sinners.
Ps. cxix. 136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. THE generality, if exhorted to labour for the sal- vation of others, are ready to reply, " Am I my brother's keeper a?" But they who have truly the fear of God in their hearts will be anxious for the welfare of their fellow-creatur…
358 wordsSECTION 345711.] Reasons For Weeping Over Sinners. 369
" the unclean cannot enter there1." There shall be " a dif- ference between those who serve God, and those who serve him notk : " and the wish that ungodly men feel to be found at last in the place of those whom the}' now despise, is a proof that they have in their own minds some apprehension of the sen- tence tha…
426 wordsSECTION 346370 Psalms, Cxix. 136. [711.
III. On account of the aggravated guilt under which they perish — Devils and heathens will have more to urge on their own behalf, than they who perish under the light of the Gospel — [The devils may say, Had the Son of God taken our na- ture, and died for our redemption, we would gladly have availed ourselves of…
531 wordsSECTION 347Dccxii.
david's desire to serve god. Ps. cxix. 145 — 148. / cried with my whole heart; Hear me, 0 Lord : J will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee ; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried : I hoped in thy ivord. Mine eyes prevent the night loatches, that I might medi…
286 wordsSECTION 348372 Psalms, Cxix. 145—148. [712.
his petitions, and that even salvation itself was chiefly sought by him on account of the sanctifying and transforming efficacy with which it would be accom- panied. Bearing this in mind, we will notice, I. The object of his desires — There is no reason to suppose that David alludes to any particular distress or …
775 wordsSECTION 349374 Psalms, Cxix. 145—148. [712.
The worthiness of his object was justly marked by, II. The ardour of his pursuit — This blessed object he sought, 1. In fervent and continual prayer — [Observe his own account: " I cried, I cried, I cried ;" I cried " with my heart," with " my whole heart." What can we conceive more expressive than such language …
611 wordsSECTION 350Dccxiii.
BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD's LAW. Ps. cxix. 165. Great peace have they which love thy law : and nothing shall offend them. THE force of principle is exceeding great, even where the principle itself is erroneous and vicious, but much more where it is founded upon the unerring word of God. It produces in our…
301 wordsSECTION 351376 Psalms, Cxix. 165. [7 13.
every feature of the human heart. It never flatters, never dis- torts ; but shews, to every one who will look into it, precisely what character he bears in the sight of the heart-searching God. An insincere person does not like it ; he turns away from it : he will not come to it, because it presents to his view his…
498 wordsSECTION 352713.] Blessedness In Loving God'S Law. 377
1. The happiness of their minds — [" Peace," in the Scripture use of the term, is not a mere absence of trouble, but an actual state of very sublime enjoy- ment. The person " who loves God's law" in the way before described, has, as the very first-fruits of his faith in Christ, a sense of reconciliation with God: …
504 wordsSECTION 353378 Psalms, Cxix. 165. [7 13.
is engraven. He, though still assaulted with manifold tempta- tions, is enabled to withstand them all. At the very moment of the assault, he says, with Joseph, " How shall I do this wickedness, and sin against God ? " And throughout the whole course of his life he experiences, on the whole, the truth of that promi…
500 wordsSECTION 354Security Of Those Who Trust In God.
disappointed of their hope. Hear his sayings s — — — and, if yo u experience not the accomplishment of them in your own souls, know that the fault is in yourselves alone. As sure as ever the character is yours, so most assuredly shall the blessedness also be. " He will keep his saints " in peace and holiness, even …
397 wordsSECTION 355380 Psalms, Cxxi. 1—8. [7 14.
is, to shew us, how much the habit of referring every thing to God characterizes, composes, and elevates the Christian mind. In the psalm before us we see this truth exempli- fied in the experience of David : in illustrating which, we shall notice, I. The resolution he formed — The first verse of the psalm is so…
367 wordsSECTION 3567 14. J Security Of Those Who Trust In God. 381
dishonour God ; he would not so invade his unalienable prero- gative. He loves the very thought of being a pensioner on the Divine bounty. The habit of committing every concern to God, and of receiving every blessing from God, is truly delightful to him. Hence he says with the church of old, "Ashur shall not save …
410 wordsSECTION 357382 Psalms, Cxxi. 1—8. [714.
" If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me ; and I will put thine abominations out of my sight ; and thou shalt not remove d." The decla- rations which God here made to David, are equally applicable to all, who, like him, are resolved to live in a state of dependence upon God. Let us consider …
494 wordsSECTION 358714.] Security Of Those Who Trust In God. 383
truth is largely declared in the book of Job, in reference to every species of calamity, that it shall not befall any one who trusts in God, or, if it befall him, it shall be overruled for his more abundant goodf. We must doubtless take the promise in this latitude ; else it would be contrary to fact and experience…
473 wordsSECTION 359Thanksgiving For Great Deliverance.
[You should never forget what an Almighty Friend you have. How many times in this psalm are you reminded, that the Lord, even the Almighty God, is your helper and deliverer! Were he less powerful, or less vigilant, or less worthy of credit, you might well fear. But what ground can he have for fear, who has God him…
454 wordsSECTION 360716.] God To Be Acknowledged In Our Mercies. 385
best conjectural, we shall take occasion from the psalm to set before you, in reference to the solem- nities of this day, I. Matter for devout acknowledgment — [To illustrate this, two things are to be considered ; 1. Our danger; which, like that alluded to in the psalm itself, has been imminent b irresistible6 t…
359 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.