PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 6 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 237,329 words · 495 reading sections
386 Psalms, Cxxiv. 1—8. [7I6.
Ps. cxxiv. 1 — 8. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, note may Israel say ; if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us : then they had siuallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us : then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our so…
421 wordsSECTION 362710.1 God To Be Acknowledged In Our Mercies. 287
classes of society, and lent their aid to others who aimed at nothing less than the utter subversion of the Government. But through the energy of our king, and of those who administered his government, God in his infinite mercy preserved us : and we have lived to see the day when almost all who were so deluded hav…
482 wordsSECTION 363388 Psalms, Cxxiv. 1—8. [7 16.
instead of having to contend with him on our own soil. Still however we must have fallen before him, had not his insup- portable despotism goaded to resistance the Russian monarch. But at one time, even that event also appeared to have prepared for us a more complete destruction. But God suffered the proud oppress…
673 wordsSECTION 364388 Psalms, Cxxiv. 1—8. [7 16.
[Others may indulge in carnal mirth ; but their joy will expire " as the crackling of thorns under a pot ;" and no solid benefit will accrue to their souls. But if we view God in our mercies, they will lead our affections heavenwards ; they will tend to abase us in the dust for our own unworthiness, and to magnify…
304 wordsSECTION 365390 Psalms, Cxxiv. 1—8. [716.
[Great as the dangers were from which Israel had been delivered by the interpositions of their God, they were not a whit greater than those to which we are exposed every day and hour. Truly we have a sea of difficulties ready to overwhelm us : we have a roaring lion seeking to devour us ; and a subtle enemy ready …
547 wordsSECTION 366Trust In The Lord.
391 Ps. cxxv. 1, 2. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even for ever. IN forming our estimate of men, we are apt to look at their actions only; and eve…
336 wordsSECTION 367392 Psalms, Cxxv. 1, 2, [717.
is reposed. Consequently, a general notion of God's ordering all things according to the counsel of his own will, however deep that conviction be, will not amount to the grace that is here described. The devils possess that conviction, in its utmost possible extent; but they cannot trust in God, because they have …
461 wordsSECTION 368717.1 Trust In The Lord. 393
hands d." In themselves they remain weak as ever, as both David and Peter have clearly shewn ; but in Christ they are strong : and in the Covenant which is made with them in Christ, and " which is ordered in all things and sure," it is engaged, on the part of God, that they shall never be moved, and that " the gat…
468 wordsSECTION 369The Upright And Apostates Contrasted.
faith, giving glory to your Godm." Your divine Master, who has engaged himself for you, would have you to " be without carefulness." His command is, " Be careful for nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God ; and the peace of God, which passeth all understand…
388 wordsSECTION 370718.] The Upright And Apostates Contrasted. 395
I. His encouragement to the upright — His prayer shews what every believing soul may expect at the hands of God — [No one, without constant supplies of grace and strength, would be able to endure the trials with which he will be visited in the path of duty. A man's uprightness may embolden him to ask for divine a…
439 wordsSECTION 371396 Psalms, Cxxv. 4, 5. [718.
holy ways, who yet think that, because they turn not back to open profaneness, they shall " escape the judgment of God." Now, These are the persons warned — [" The man who puts his hand to the plough, is not to look back," lest the furrows which he makes disgrace the field'. So " those who turn aside unto their c…
468 wordsSECTION 372Deliverance From Spiritual Bondage Acknowledged.
Then let every one see, and be convinced of, 1. The importance of uprightness — [None but the upright in heart can expect any " good" at the hands of God. " As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways," " their own wickedness shall correct them, and their backslidings reprove themm." Then only can we he app…
372 wordsSECTION 373398 Psalms? Cxxvi. 1—4. [7 19.
vouchsafed to the souls of men, and which was sha- dowed forth by that great event. Let us consider from the passage, I. The deliverance here celebrated — Grievous beyond expression was Israel's captivity. They were treated with the utmost cruelty by their Babylonish oppressors'1: and their sufferings were great…
396 wordsSECTION 374719.] Deliverance From Spiritual Bondage. 399
appearance, the valleys smiling on every side with renovated and augmented verdure. Thus the Jews desired, that the ravages made in their now desolated country might be soon repaired, and that, through the influence of their almighty Guardian, their efforts might be crowned with speedy and complete success.] We fo…
449 wordsSECTION 375400 Psalms, Cxxvi. 1—4. [719.
us up lest at any time we dash our foot against a stone, and to minister to us in all that our necessities may require. All this too is offered to us as a free act of mercy on the part of our great Deliverer. It was one of the most extraor- dinary parts of the Jews' deliverance from Babylon, that Cyrus should libe…
512 wordsSECTION 376719.] Deliverance From Spiritual I50Ndage. 401
before they shall attain the full object of their desires, they set out in humble dependence on their God, assured of final and complete success. They are willing to " sow in tears, confident that in due time they shall reap in joy."] Address — 1. To those who have experienced some measure of this deliverance — …
489 wordsSECTION 377402 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5. [720.
sufficient evidence of our bondage. If you are yet strangers to the experience above described, you are yet in bondage to the great enemy of Zion But we are authorized to declare that this adversary is cast down ; that our Cyrus has prevailed over him ; and that liberty is now given to every captive in Babylon to …
307 wordsSECTION 378720.1 Sowing In Tears. 403
Ps. cxxvi. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. THIS seems to be a general truth founded on the experience of those who returned from the Babylonish captivity, and the correspondent experience of all who return from the bondage of sin and Satan. The Israelites, like Peter liberated from his prison, were s…
567 wordsSECTION 379404 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5. [720.
3. An overwhelming sense of God's goodness — [Nothing is more characteristic of true piety than this. Every day and hour we have reason to adore the divine good- ness. What patience does God exercise towards us under all our backslidings ! What readiness does he manifest to return to our souls the very instant we …
475 wordsSECTION 380721.] The Spiritual Harvest. 405
reward0," " an everlasting life p," which shall be reaped as the fruit of what we now sow. The tears we shed are all treasured up with care in the vial of our heavenly Father : every sigh, and every groan, shall be remembered before him ; and shall add to that abundant and eternal weight of glory which we shall th…
403 wordsSECTION 381406 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5,6. [721.
Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. SO much of sorrow is entailed on fallen man, that his path through life is not improperly called, a vale of tears. But it is …
398 wordsSECTION 382721.] The Spiritual Harvest. 407
In no respect lias he been subject to the law of Gocl, or regu- lated himself according to the divine commands. From open and flagrant sins he may be free: but he has lived as without God in the world, making his own will the one rule of his conduct, and his own pleasure the only end of his existence Does not such…
505 wordsSECTION 383408 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5, 6. [721.
from their sorrow V It must be observed, that the first-fruits of this harvest are enjoyed even now : for the very scope of the Gospel is not only to "proclaim liberty to the captives; but to give unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them," I say, " beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of pr…
672 wordsSECTION 384408 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5, 6. [721.
Behold, then, 1. How desirable is true repentance — [I grant that repentance, considered without relation to its consequences, is not a pleasing exercise of mind : nor would a husbandman find any pleasure in casting his seed into the ground, if he had no prospect of a future recompence. But both the husbandman an…
310 wordsSECTION 385410 Psalms, Cxxvi. 5, 6. [721.
and he shall lift you up1." I say, To all, without exception, would I give this advice ; for it is by a conformity to it, under the Gospel dispensation, that every child of God shall be known : " In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah toge…
698 wordsSECTION 386412 Psalms, Cxxx. 1—4. [722.
i Ps. lvi. 8. r Rev. xiv. 13. s Phil. i. 21. * Gal. vi. 7, 8. god's mercy an encouragement to prayer. Ps. cxxx. 1 — 4. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice : let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall st…
711 wordsSECTION 387412 Psalms, Cxxx. 1—4. [722.
a Ps. Ixix. 1 — 4. b Ps. lxxxviii. 6, 7. c Ps. lxxvii. 7 — 9. l! Ps. xviii. 3 — 6. 722. J god's mercy an encouragement to prayer. 413 compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soule!" Thus did Jerem…
500 wordsSECTION 388414 Psalms, Cxxx. 1—4. [722.
of his fulness we are all to receive," according to our respective necessities. This was David's encouragement. Had he not known this, he would have sat down in utter despair. It is a consciousness of this that emboldens a penitent to draw nigh to God, and to ask for mercy at his hands. A soul that is gone beyond …
515 wordsSECTION 389723.] Waiting Upon God. 415
that is, that in all our trials, of whatever kind, we have God him- self for our refuge. Who need to be afraid of depths, when he has a God to go unto, a God able and willing to deliver him ? Look at the heathen, who know not God ; or at those who, though in a Christian land, are unacquainted with the great myster…
274 wordsSECTION 390416 Ps Alms, Cxxx. 5, 6. [723.
Ps. cxxx. 5, 6. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning ; L say, more than they that watch for the morning. MANY of God's people are at times reduced to great straits, either through the violence of perse- cution or …
588 wordsSECTION 391723.] Waiting Upon God. 417
word of God: " In his word," saith he, "do I hope." It was quite sufficient for him that God had promised to succour his tempted people : and, whatever apparent contrarieties there might be between his dispensations and his word, he had no doubt but that they would all be cleared up in due season, and that not a j…
462 wordsSECTION 392418 Psalms, Cxxx. 5, (5. [723.
God as you expect your fellow-creature to be of you. And think how long God has waited upon you; calling, but ye would not hear ; entreating, but ye would not regard him. Shall you then be impatient, if he come not at the first moment that you call ; and that too when you are urged by nothing but a fear of his wra…
505 wordsSECTION 393The Duty Of Hoping In God.
down, O my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my Godp." You must never forget that appeal which God himself makes to the whole universe, " I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vainq." Even in this world …
378 wordsSECTION 394420 Psalms, Cxxx. 7, 8. [724.
ever be our conduct. But a scriptural hope implies a suitable regard to the things we hope for, and to him in whom our hope is placed. It implies, 1. That we pray to him with fervour — [This was united with the Psalmist's hopea: and it must also be with oursb. To pretend to hope in God while we neglect to spread …
420 wordsSECTION 395724.1 The Duty Of Hoping In God. 121
[" Redemption" is the crown of all his works: and tliis also is with him, that he may impart it to those who groan under their sore bondage. Yea, with him is " plenteous" redemption : he himself, as our near kinsman, (bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh") has the right of redemption vested in him0: and, havin…
440 wordsSECTION 396Weanedness From The World.
Ps. cxxxi. 2. My soul is even as a tveaned child. AMONG the great variety of representations whereby the Christian's character is set forth in the Holy Scriptures, that of a little child holds a very distinguished place a. To this we annex the idea of humility, and teachableness, and resignation to the will of ou…
363 wordsSECTION 397725.]] Weanedness From The World. 423
not be coveted. They should rather be considered as a snare which we are to dread, than as a blessing we are eager to obtain. They are as clay upon the feet of one that is running a raced, or as a weight tied to the neck of one that is swim- ming for his life e. There has scarcely ever occurred an instance wherein…
490 wordsSECTION 398424 Psalms, Cxxxi. 2. [725.
he that increases knowledge, increases sorrow1." Even those dear relations of life which God has given for our richest con- solation, the wife of our bosom, or the fruit of our body, are not without their attendant troubles ; which are designed to teach us, that "tins is not our rest"1," and that God alone is the …
479 wordsSECTION 399725.] Weanedness From The World. 42/)
they fall asleep, as it were, with it in their mouths ; they are clamorous for it as soon as they are awake. In their very slumbers they not unfrequently shew, how wholly their minds have been occupied with that one object. Give them their favourite gratification, and they care for nothing else : rob them of that,…
444 wordsSECTION 400Zion A Type Of The Church.
Ps. cxxxii. 13 — 16. The Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever : here will I dwell ; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall sliout aloud …
373 wordsSECTION 401726.] Zion A Type Of The Church. 427
2. Vouchsafes his presence — [When the ark, which had long abode in a moveable taber- nacle at Shiloh, was brought to Zion, its residence was fixed ; and the Deity, whom it represented, called that place his " rest." From that time his visible glory was revealed there : he dwelt between the cherubims ; and was acc…
414 wordsSECTION 402428 Psalms, Cxxxii. 13—16. [726.
been more nutritious than all the dainties sent from the mo- narch's table0.] 2. On those who administer the ordinances — [The priests who served in the temple, were clad with linen, to denote the purity that was expected of them. But they, who minister under the Gospel, provided they walk worthy of their high an…
378 wordsSECTION 403The Benefit Of Christian Unity.
Ps. cxxxiii. 1 — 3. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the pre- cious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard : that went down to the skirts of his gar- ments : as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mo…
338 wordsSECTION 404430 Psalms, Cxxxiii. 1—3. [727.
[A full account of this ointment is given us in the book of Exodus a. The ingredients of which it was composed were of the most odoriferous kind : the proportions of each were minutely specified by God himself: and its use, when properly compounded, was solely confined to the things or persons con- nected with the…
505 wordsSECTION 405727.] The Benefit Of Christian Unity. 431
and decorum : but when compared with that love which grace inspires, it is a mere vanity ; it is like a sun painted upon canvass, in comparison with the sun shining in the firmament of heaven. Who that lives under the influence of gracious affections, and moves in a circle where Christian love abounds, does not fee…
463 wordsSECTION 406432 Psalms, Cxxxvi. 26. [728.
is love." " God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him" " If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in use." It is hy the exercise of this divine principle that " we know we have passed from death unto life;" and "by it we are recognized by all men as Ch…
434 wordsSECTION 407728.1 A Call To Adore God For His Mercy. 433
Ps. cxxxvi. 26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven : for his mercy endureth for ever. PRAISE is the employment of heaven : and praise should be the employment of earth also. " Rejoice evermore," is a special command of God : and to express our joy in praises and thanksgivings is equally commanded : " In every t…
416 wordsSECTION 408434 Psalms, Cxxxvj. 26. [728.
the Deity which appear to have been more conspicuous, we would recommend that they be inspected with peculiar care, entering minutely into all the particulars of each, and viewing in each distinct particular the transcendent mercy of God. Let the psalm before us be particularly noticed in this view as a pattern*. …
493 wordsSECTION 409728.] A Call To Adore God For His Mercy. 435
II. To adore it — A tribute of praise and thanksgiving for such mercy is the least that can be demanded of us. And well may it be demanded ; for, 1. It is due from us — [Can we conceive, that, after all the mercies vouchsafed unto us, no return is required ? Are we to be as stupid and insensible as beasts ? Is t…
485 wordsSECTION 410Dccxxix.
very instant that the priests began to utter this acknowledg- ment, God set the three confederate armies against each other, and stirred them up to kill one another ; till they were utterly destroyed, without any conflict on the part of Israel s. What greater proof can we have of the delight which God feels in the …
785 wordsSECTION 411438 Psalms, Cxxxviil 2. [729.
b Ps. xix. 1. c Rom. i. 20. d Ps. xix. 3, 4. e Isai. liii. 10. with Ps. xl. 6—8. f Ps. Ixxxv. 10. e 2 Cor. iii. 18. h Eph. iii. 10. 2. As a standard, to which every thing may be referred — [Of God's will we know nothing, but from the word: " we know neither good nor evil from all that is before us." What God req…
771 wordsSECTION 412438 Psalms, Cxxxviil 2. [729.
If it be thought, that to expect a rational being so to submit his reason to the authority of revelation, is to require a sacri- fice that is unworthy of him ; I answer, that this is the very way in which all human knowledge is acquired. What knows a child, for instance, respecting the elements of language ? You t…
712 wordsSECTION 413Answers To Prayer.
k Rom. vi. 17. The Greek. l Rev. xiv. G. unworthy of us; and, whilst we are earnestly praying to God that he would send forth his light and his truth to every quarter of the globe, let us, by every possible means, endeavour to promote this glorious and blessed object. Let us first seek to have " the word of Christ…
360 wordsSECTION 414442 Psalms, Cxxxviii. 3. [730.
in the city of Keilah. He had heard that Saul was coming to besiege him there ; and he had reason to fear that the men of Keilah would deliver him up into the hands of Saul. On both these points he sought information from the Lord, who knew perfectly not only what designs actually existed in the minds of men, but …
463 wordsSECTION 415730.] Answers To Prayer. 443
David succeeded by ' ' worshipping towards God's holy Temple e : " and shall not you, if you direct your prayer to Him ivhom the Temple typified, even the Lord Jesus Christ ? Shall it be in vain to supplicate your incarnate God, or to go to the Father in the name of his dear Son ? Try it ; and you shall soon have …
493 wordsSECTION 416The Gospel A Source Of Happiness.
to their happiness in the world to come. This I must say to all persons of this description : " You have not, because you ask not :" nor can you ever have pardon, or peace, or holiness, or glory, in any way but in that of humble, fervent, and believing prayer. You must " open your mouth wide," if ever you would ha…
410 wordsSECTION 417731.] The Gospel A Source Of Happiness. 445
event would afford to all the surrounding nations, when they should hear of the wonderful events by which it had been accomplished. But it is manifest, that, if that be in any degree the import of his words, it can never comprehend their full meaning. Beyond a doubt, the holy man is led, from the contemplation of…
418 wordsSECTION 418446 Psalms, Cxxxviii. 4, 5. [731.
2. What will be the frame of their minds — [Little as the praise of our Redeemer is now heard, it will be proclaimed then by all : the praises of our God will resound in every place, and universal joy be diffused amongst the servants of the Lord. The noise, that is now accounted mirth, will cease ; and the revelli…
476 wordsSECTION 419731.] The Gospel A Source Of Happiness. 447
Spirit, we have no reason to doubt but that we shall be guided into all truth, even as they. Beloved Brethren, you hear of a Saviour, and of all the wonders of redeeming love. The salvation of Christ is set before you, in all its freeness, in all its fulness, in all its suitableness, in all its excellency and glor…
495 wordsSECTION 420Dccxxxii.
To all of you, then, I would address the following requests : — 1. Seek to form a right estimate of religion — [Religion is not, as too many imagine, a source of me- lancholy, but a fountain of unutterable joyr. If it deprive you of carnal delights, it will give you infinitely richer and purer pleasures in their …
684 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.