PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 6 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 237,329 words · 495 reading sections
4.50 Psalms, Cxxxviii. G. [732.
or deign in any way to notice them k But greatly are they mistaken : for " though the Lord be high, yet will he have respect unto the lowly ;" yea, if there were but one contrite soul in the universe, God would look through all the shining a This part of the subject, though essential to a just view of the whole, s…
895 wordsSECTION 422452 Psalms, Cxxxviii. 8. [733.
2. Expect that God's dealings with you will be in perfect accordance with it — [To all eternity will the declaration in my text be fulfilled. There will be no bounds to " the respect that shall be paid to the lowly" at the day of judgment. They shall be owned by that Saviour in whom they had believed ; and be plac…
271 wordsSECTION 423Dccxxxiii.
god's care of his people. Ps. cxxxviii. 8. The Lord will perfect that which eoncerneth me. THE deeper doctrines of our holy religion, if made a matter of controversy and disputation, are very unprofitable ; but, as experienced in the soul, they are a source of the richest consolation. David, under the persecution…
693 wordsSECTION 424454 Psalms, Cxxxviii. 8. [733.
But let us further mark, II. The conduct to which it should lead us — It should lead us to precisely the same spirit as he manifested : with a view to which, I would say, 1. Look for progress in the Divine life — [David looked to God to " perfect all that concerned him." So should we, also, " go on unto perfectio…
612 wordsSECTION 425The Omnipresence And Omniscience Of God.
never, never forsake you*:" and you may rest assured that he will fulfil his word; for " He is faithful who hath promised"." " Cast, then, your care altogether upon himx;" and " commit the keeping of your souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faith- ful Creator y."] 1 Heb. xiii. 5. u Heb. x. 23. x 1 Pet. v. 7. U P…
402 wordsSECTION 426456 Psalms, Cxxxix. 1—12. [734.
[Certain it is, that God is everywhere present. " If we should go up to heaven, he is there ; or down to the grave or the abodes of departed spirits, he is there." There is no point of space where he is not, or where he is not as wholly and entirely present as in heaven itself. " The heavens cannot con- tain him."…
503 wordsSECTION 427734.] Omnipresence And Omniscience Of God. 457
himself: " Such knowledge is too wonderful for us ; we cannot attain unto it." As for light or darkness, it makes no difference to him: " the night and the day to him are both alike." " All things" without exception, even the most hidden recesses of the heart, " are naked and open before him;" as the inmost parts …
435 wordsSECTION 428458 Psalms, Cxxxix. 1—12. [734.
what a different light they are viewed by " God, who knoweth their hearts; in whose sight that which is highly esteemed amongst men is not unfrequently an utter abomination d." Very different is the standard by which he estimates them, from that by which they estimate themselves. The things for which he looks are,…
515 wordsSECTION 429734.3 Omnipresence And Omniscience Of God. 451)
The confidence which any of these classes may profess, only binds upon them the more strongly the fetters they have forged for themselves, and ensures more certainly their everlasting ruinf.] 2. That many who are low in the estimation both of themselves and others, shall receive at last from God himself a glorious…
500 wordsSECTION 430Dccxxxv.
a christian's delight in god. Ps. cxxxix. 17, 18. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God ! hozv great is the sum of them ! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand : when I awake, 1 am still with thee. THESE words will admit of a twofold interpre- tation : they may be considered as…
712 wordsSECTION 431462 Psalms, Cxxxix. 17, 18. [735.
But it will be remembered, that this psalm speaks particu- larly of the omnipresence and omniscience of the Deity ; and these perfections, which are so terrible to the ungodly, and of which they would, if possible, divest him, are to the true Christian c Compare Ps. civ. 34, 35. with Ps. cxxxix. 18, 19. d Job xxi.…
720 wordsSECTION 432462 Psalms, Cxxxix. 17, 18. [735.
Having described the nature of Christian expe- rience, I shall need but few words to shew, II. The blessedness of it — The Psalmist strongly marks this : " How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God!" Whether we understand him as speaking of God's thoughts of him, or of his thoughts of God, it is evident that t…
299 wordsSECTION 433464 Psalms, Cxxxix. 17, 18. [735.
about him :" not a wall only, that might possibly be scaled, but " a wall of fire," that will devour any who shall dare to assail us. " His very name is," to the Christian, " a strong tower," to which he runneth, and is safe. He sees " chariots of fire and horses of fire all around him ;" and in perfect confidence …
480 wordsSECTION 434The Difficulty Of Knowing Our Own State.
Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24. Search me, 0 God, and know my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. THE perfections of God are all infinitely glorious ; but, like the cloud of fire, they have a different aspect towards the friends, and the enemies …
357 wordsSECTION 435466 Psalms, Cxxxix. 23, 24. [736.
authority" : it defeats the end of Christ's incarnation and death ° : it argues an entire want of sincerity p : it therefore justly brings the curse of God upon usq.] There is one thing indeed which renders the con- sideration of this extremely awful ; namely, II. The difficulty of discerning whether we have any …
367 wordsSECTION 436Liberty Desired.
He cries to God to " search and trv him" — [He remembers whose prerogative it is to search the heart b : he reads the word that God may search him with itc: he regards conscience as God's vicegerent*1: he looks up for the Spirit's aid and influence e. In this way he prays, like David, frequently, and with fervour*…
375 wordsSECTION 437468 Psalms, Cxlil 7. [737.
moment in danger of being discovered and destroyed by his potent enemy, King Saul. But there was also a spiritual bondage to which he was reduced by means of the persecutions he endured ; and hence he offers the petition in my text, " Bring my soul out of prison ! " And for what end did he desire this deliverance …
421 wordsSECTION 438737.] Liberty Desired. 409
these governors unavoidable? And to what sad alternatives have the children of God been often brought, through the enactment of unrighteous laws ! Under temptation from Satan, too, are multitudes reduced to sad extremities ! Behold the Apostle Paul, when under the bufferings of Satan ; with what repeated cries he …
467 wordsSECTION 439470 Psalms, Cxlii. 7. [737.
joyous, but grievousk:" and to require man to be so divested of all personal feeling as not to desire ease and freedom for their own sake, is, in my apprehen- sion, an unscriptural refinement. But, beyond a doubt, we should, in all our desires, have a higher object in view, even as our Lord had when praying for t…
446 wordsSECTION 440738.] A Strict Award Of Justice Deprecated. 471
[Heaven is a state of incessant praise. The heavenly hosts " rest not day nor night from pouring forth their acclamations and hosannahs to God and to the Lamb." And here, we are tuning our harps, and beginning to learn their song. Now, the very end for which God sends us affliction is, to purge away our dross, and…
328 wordsSECTION 441472 Psalms, Cxliii. 2. [738.
Ps. cxliii. 2. Enter not into judgment ivith thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. TRIALS and persecutions are sometimes permitted by God, for the purpose of honouring his people, and advancing his work in their souls ; and may justly be regarded by them as a gift from God, bestowed on t…
419 wordsSECTION 442738.] A Strict Award Of Justice Deprecated. 473
" a self-deceiver," and to " make God himself a liarV Job, though not possessing the Mosaic writings, had a deep insight into this truth. He saw that it was the necessary consequence of the fall of Adam ; for that our first parents being unclean, nothing but what was unclean could proceed from themc. Indeed it was…
504 wordsSECTION 443474 Psalms, Cxliii. 2. [738.
But whilst we view the text as establishing the fun- damental principles of the Gospel, let us view it also, II. As exhibiting a pattern for our imitation — Who amongst us does not need to deprecate the severity of God's justice, precisely as David does ? Let us examine, 1. The general tenour of our past lives — …
453 wordsSECTION 444God A Refuge To The Distressed.
Address — 1 . The self-righteous and self-sufficient — [How unlike are you to David, or indeed to any other of the saints of God! Look at Job1, Isaiah"1, Paul"; Are you better than they ? Seek then to possess more of their spirit : for it is " he who humbleth himself, and he only, that shall ever be exalted " ] …
382 wordsSECTION 445476 Psalms, Cxliii. 7—10. [739.
this may be, it is plain that he was brought into great distress, and that he sought help, where alone it could be found, in the Lord his God. That I may bring the substance of the psalm dis- tinctly before you, I will take occasion to shew, I. To what a state a good man may, by accumulated troubles, be reduced —…
483 wordsSECTION 446739.] God A Refuge To The Distressed. 477
" Hear me speedily, O Lord! my spirit faileth." But from whatever source it flowed, it shews that] Good men amongst ourselves may be reduced to like extremities — [No man is exempt from trouble, whether of a temporal or spiritual kind. Heavy trials, from whatever quarter they come, will still overwhelm the mind, …
447 wordsSECTION 447478 Psalms, Cxl1Ii. 7—10. [739.
Of whatever kind our trials be, the direction given us is this : " Cast thy burthen on the Lord, and he will sustain thee5." Are we assaulted by persecutors ? David's example will shew us where to go, and how to obtain relief: " Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me : fight thou against them that fi…
462 wordsSECTION 448739.] God A Kefuge To The Distressed. 479
2. The interpositions of his providence — [In arduous circumstances, our way is made exceeding- difficult; so that oftentimes we know not what to do: we seem indeed to be shut up in the very hands of our enemies, and to have no way of escape open to us. But it is never in vain to call upon God, who in the very hou…
499 wordsSECTION 449The Blessedness Of The Righteous.
2. How to act under overwhelming calamities — [Go not from God, but to him : and the greater sense you have of your necessities, be only so much the more urgent in your application to him. That you may be overwhelmed for a season, the prophet acknowledges : " for even the youths may faint and be weary, and the you…
387 wordsSECTION 450740.] The Blessedness Of The Righteous. 481
Were we disposed to deny the blessedness attend- ant on earthly prosperity, we should feel a jealousy over ourselves, in taking the two clauses of our text in a contrasted view : but, as it is our intention to give full weight to the former affirmation, and as the latter, if taken in somewhat of a contrasted view,…
465 wordsSECTION 451482 Psalms, Cxliv. 15. [740.
These observations, however, are confined to that mediocrity of condition to which Agur refers, when he says, " Give me neither poverty nor riches, but food convenient for me d." For opulence does not of itself increase our comfort : it increases rather our temptations and our cares : for what has a man of extensi…
442 wordsSECTION 452740.] The Blessedness Of The Righteous. 483
it? He would gladly have death disarmed of its sting: but nothing in this world can render him that invaluable service. In a word, he would secure a happy eternity : but, ah ! what is there upon earth that can confer on him so great a benefit ? But if " he have the Lord Jehovah for his God," if he have sought Him,…
497 wordsSECTION 453484 Psalms, Cxliv. 15. [740.
This subject affords me a fit occasion to impress upon your minds, 1 . The wisdom of industrious habits — [Think not that this is a suggestion unworthy of a minister of the Gospel. St. Paul inculcates strongly and frequently this lesson : " Be not slothful in business1:" " If any man will not work, neither shall …
492 wordsSECTION 454Praise To God For His Goodness And Mercy.
Gods." Then, without fear of contradiction, I will pronounce you happy ; and if, in reference to earthly comforts, I must qualify my language, when I say, " happy are the people which are in such a case," I will, in the broadest and most unqualified terms, say, in reference to you, " Happy is the people whose God …
368 wordsSECTION 455488 Psalms, Cxlv. 1, 2. [74 1.
But we will consider more distinctly the subjects of his praise. Having stated his determination to praise his God, he celebrates, I. The perfections of his nature — He mentions, 1. His greatness — [This he declares to be " unsearchable b:" and indeed it is so : for who can form any idea of his immensity ? We sp…
446 wordsSECTION 456741. J Praise To God For His Goodness And Mercy. 487
never merited, he has never withheld one, which by his pro- mises he had made our dued.] 3. His mercy — [In what has hitherto been spoken we are concerned as creatures : but in this attribute we are interested as sinners. And O ! what reason have we to adore the tender mercy of our God ! Who must not say with Dav…
416 wordsSECTION 457488 Psalms, Cxlv. 1, 2. [741.
moral commands indeed they do not fulfil ; but his positive injunctions they are unable to resist: they are constrained to yield up to him the spoil which they had once seized for them- selves, and to flee even from the face of a poor helpless sinner, when once he sets himself, in dependence on Divine aid, to resi…
455 wordsSECTION 4587 41.] Praise To God For His Goodness And Mercy. 489
for his consolation and support' He will indeed " be inquired after for these things ;" but He will " suffer none to seek his face in vain." He " draws nigh unto all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth :" or, if they be not able to express their wants in words, " he will fulfil their very desire…
452 wordsSECTION 459490 Psalms, Cxlv. 8, 9. [742.
and philosophers, in comparison of those which occupy the believer's mind ? He soars, as it were, on angels' wings : he contemplates the subjects " which angels desire to look into:" " his conversation is in heaven." Brethren, let us not forget for what high destinies we are formed. The brute creation have their f…
329 wordsSECTION 460742.1 The Goodness Of God To Man. 491
Ps. cxlv. 8, 9. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion ; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all : and his tender mercies are over all his ivorks. THE great mystery of the Gospel is that which ought chiefly to occupy the Christian's mind. But it is well occasionally to contemplate the Deity…
567 wordsSECTION 461492 Psalms, Cxlv. 8, 9. [742.
has " waited to be gracious unto us ; " and at this very moment does he follow us with his overtures of mercy, saying, " As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways : for why will ye die, O House of Israel?…
834 wordsSECTION 462494 Psalms, Cxlv. 18, 19. [743.
god's readiness to answer prayer. Ps. cxlv. 18, 19. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also will hear their cry, and will save them. ONE of the most endearing qualities of a monarch is, a readiness to listen t…
802 wordsSECTION 463496 Psalms, Cxlv. 18, 19. [743.
To this general promise of hearing his people's prayers, is added an assurance, II. That he will hear them even under circumstances that may be supposed most unfavourable to their acceptance with him — Where there have been much previous meditation, and subsequent fluency of expression, we are inclined to hope, …
661 wordsSECTION 464496 Psalms, Cxlv. 18, 19. [743.
See from hence, 1. How wonderful is the condescension of God to his believing people ! h Ps. lxv. 24. ; Prov. xv. 8. and Eph. iii. 20. k Prov. xi. 23. ' Ps. lxxxi. 10. 743.] god's readiness to answer prayer. 497 [What would a person, who feels his own incapacity to spread his wants before God, wish for? If God s…
541 wordsSECTION 465The Blessedness Of Trusting In God.
If only you truly " fear God," and " call upon him in truth," you may be perfectly assured that you shall never be cast out. If God, unsolicited, gave you his only-begotten Son to die for you, what will he refuse you when you call upon him ? He may delay indeed for a time to answer you ; but not beyond the fittest…
362 wordsSECTION 466744.1 The Blessedness Of Trusting In God. 499
man is, when left to himself; for, after all his boasting that he was ready to die with his Lord and Master, he denied him with oaths and curses. Nor is a person at all more secure who trusts in any created power : for, however powerful a man may be, he may not be able to afford the assistance that is needed ; or, …
508 wordsSECTION 467500 Psalms, Cxlvi. 5. [744.
that the man whose "help'''' is in God can never be overcome, and whose "hope''' is in God can never be disappointed ; let me, II. Commend it to your special attention — We suppose you all to wish for a participation of the Psalmist's happiness. To all of you, then, I would say, 1. Seek to know the character of …
686 wordsSECTION 468500 Psalms, Cxlvi. 5. [744.
And remember the promise he has made to you ; " Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness q." What though in yourself you be only as a worm ? he says to you, " Fear not, …
257 wordsSECTION 469The Extent Of Christ'S Compassion.
Ps. cxlvi. 7, 8. The Lord looseth the prisoners : the Lord openeth the eyes of the blind : the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : the Lord loveth the righteous. AS David was a very eminent type of Christ, so was he inspired to prophesy of Christ : and, if we look no further than to the passages quoted out of …
423 wordsSECTION 470745. J The Extent Of Christ'S Compassion. 503
that we can feel no hesitation in interpreting it as relating to Christ. In this beautiful description then of our Lord's compassion to man, we may observe, I. Its boundless extent — The calamities with which the human race are afflicted are very numerous ; nor is there any trouble which the Lord will not either…
434 wordsSECTION 471504 Psalms, Cxlvi. 7, 8. [745.
ourselves, we need not fear but that our Lord will soon come to our help : " He will never break a bruised reed or quench the smoking flax, but will bring forth judgment unto victory." The sighs and groans of a contrite soul will surely enter into his ears, and call forth his almighty aid. He may indeed for wise p…
468 wordsSECTION 472745.] The Extent Of Christ'S Compassion. 505
he still manifests his regard to his people, and effects his purposes towards them, 1. By his providence — [Wonderful are the ways whereby he accomplishes his own eternal counsels. The histories of Joseph and his family, and of Esther and the captive Jews, give us an insight into the things which are yet daily pa…
458 wordsSECTION 473506 Psalms, Cxlvii. 5—7. [746.
[If our maladies were of a bodily nature, and relief were offered us, should we not be deemed insane if we despised it ? And, if our benefactor had put himself to great expense and trouble to procure us that relief, would our contempt of him be thought a light offence 1 The application of this to our state is obvi…
343 wordsSECTION 474746.] The Power And Wisdom Of God. 507
Ps. cxlvii. 5 — 7. Great is our Lord, and of great poiver : his understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek : he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving ; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. AN acquaintance with God is the one object which we should seek after ; …
545 wordsSECTION 475508 Psalms, Cxlvii. 5—7. [746.
to us, of " abasing the proud, and exalting those who humble themselves before him h ] Let us now proceed to mark, II. The effect which this view of him should produce upon us — In this view should every living soul rejoice. 1. The wicked themselves — [What a ground of joy should it be to them, that they are no…
393 wordsSECTION 476Dccxlvii.
god's regard for the least of his saints. Ps. cxlvii. 11. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. IN the Psalms of David we have innumerable ex- hortations to praise our God. At the same time, we have innumerable grounds of praise set before us. In the psalm before us we a…
380 wordsSECTION 477510 Psalms, Cxlvil 11. [747.
obnoxious to God's wrathful indignation. It supposes, too, that he despairs of ever being- able to do any thing that shall conciliate the divine power : he sees and feels that he must entirely cast himself on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. At the same time, he sees that there is a sufficiency for him in Christ …
436 wordsSECTION 478747.] God'S Regard For The Least Of His Saints. 511
will grant to them whatsoever they can desire, provided it be really conducive to their good. "Even before they call, he will answer; and while they are yet speaking, he will heare" The very image which I have here used to illustrate his grace, is that which he himself has employed; saying, that he will give them,…
469 wordsSECTION 479Dccxlviii.
against hope." Then, notwithstanding your desert, you shall not perish, but have in yourselves an experience of that truth which God has revealed for the comfort and support of all his people, " that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin."] TEMPORAL MERCIES A GROUND OF PRAISE a. Ps. cxlvii. 12 …
374 wordsSECTION 480748.] Temporal Mercies A Ground Of Praise. 513
this psalm, " He hath not dealt so with any nation0." Let us consider, I. The grounds here stated for praise to God — We forbear to enter on the Jewish history for the elucidation of our text : intending rather to confine ourselves to the mercies which we are at this time called to commemorate. Behold then what …
428 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.