A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK

Horae Homileticae — Volume 6 of 21

Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 237,329 words · 495 reading sections

SECTION 481

514 Psalms, Cxlvii. 12—14. [748.

world, for the conversion of both Jews and Gentiles to the faith of Christ, for the instruction of the rising generation, and for the promotion of piety in every possible way, have far exceeded all that had arisen during whole centuries before. Truly these things abundantly shew how greatly God has blessed us ; in…

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SECTION 482

Temporal Mercies A Ground Of Praise. 515

748.] Every blessing which God bestows, whether on nations or individuals, calls for a suitable tribute of praise and thanksgiving. Such a tribute are we at this time called to pay : " Praise the Lord, O Jeru- salem ; praise thy God, O Zion." In order that we may discharge this debt for so many mercies, 1. Let …

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SECTION 483

516 Psalms, Cxlviil 14. [749.

We must remember, too, that, as members of the great body of the nation, we are called to bless God for our national mercies. Now national mercies are of a temporal nature : no nation, as a nation, participates spiritual blessings, any further than the mere external enjoyment of them : individuals alone have the g…

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SECTION 484

Dccxlix.

god's people near unto him. Ps. cxlviii. 14. A people near unto Him. THE Psalmist, wrapt in ecstasy, is here calling upon the whole creation to praise God. He addresses himself to all creatures in heaven and in earth, ra- tional and irrational, animate and inanimate, to render 749.] god's people near unto him. 51…

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SECTION 485

518 Psalms, Cxlviii. 14. [749.

large : it is all the peculiar and exclusive privilege of the saints; who, from having been " strangers and foreigners, like others, have been made fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of Gode."] But they are also near to him, II. By choice — [It is certainly true, that " they have not chosen God…

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520 Psalms, Cxlix. 2. [750.

2. What cause have they, too, for shame ! [It is surprising that persons thus highly favoured should ever be found at a distance from God. But the very best of men have hearts " bent to backslide from God," and to " start aside, even as a deceitful bowy." Who amongst you, Brethren, is not sensible of this ? You ca…

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750.1 Joy In Christ. 521

Ps. cxlix. 2. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. IT appears somewhat strange that a religion coming from heaven, and purporting to make men happy, should almost universally be considered as a source of melancholy, and as destructive of all personal and social comfort. But it may be easily accounted …

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SECTION 488

522 Psalms, Cxlix. 2. [750.

d 2 Cor. v. 17. John iii. 5. e Zech. ix. 9. f Phil. iv. 4. and iii. 3. s Deut. xxviii. 45, 17. grounds of joy, or were as empty and unsatisfying as the world, it would be unreasonable to expect any happiness to flow from it: but it sets before us innumerable occasions of joy ; and not only permits, but enjoins, us…

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SECTION 489

The Duty Of Praising God For His Goodness.

him. " Kiss him" then, in token of your reverence and sub- jection, " lest he be angry, and ye perish for ever1."] 2. To those who are going on their way rejoicing — [Take care that you make Christ, and not your own frames or feelings, the object and ground of your joy. And guard against pride, self-confidence, an…

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SECTION 490

524 Psalms, Cxlix. 4— G. [751.

" complete in Christ b." When they are mourning and weep- ing for their extreme sinfulness, he looks on them with heart- felt complacency0, and delight d. Even when they are doubting his love towards them, he marks them as the objects of his tenderest affection and incessant care e. He takes pleasure also in their…

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751.] Duty Of Praising God For His Goodness. 525

shall shine forth above the sun in the firmament for ever and ever z. And when Christ himself shall come in his glory, he will be admired in them, and glorified in them a.] After viewing the obligations we owe to God, we cannot but be prepared to hear, II. Our duty to him — There is a correspondence between the m…

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526 Psalms, Cl. 6. [752.

panoply, an armour of heavenly temper8. Clad with this, we must " go forth continually conquering, and to conquer." We must " fight a good fight," and " war a good warfare11," and " endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ1." Thus fighting and singing must be joined together; for " the joy of the Lord is o…

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SECTION 493

752.1 Tiie Duty Of Praising God. 527

Ps. cl. 6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. GREATLY diversified has David's experience been, as depicted in the Book of Psalms. Sometimes we find him bowed down under a sense of sin, and some- times sunk almost in the depths of despondency : but here we view him elevated as on Mount Tabor, and br…

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SECTION 494

528 Psalms, Cl. 6. [752.

We speak not of irrational beings (though they do praise him according to their ability ;) but of " man, into whose nostrils God originally breathed the breath of life0." Of all the children of Adam without excep- tion we say, that they have reason to praise their God. This is true of, 1. Those who are yet in hea…

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SECTION 495

752.1 The Duty Of Praising God. 529

[What employment have we for our breath that can be compared with this? Doubtless there is much happiness in social converse : but this is nothing in comparison of that which is enjoyed in converse with our God The language of prayer is delightful to every humble soul ; but the language of praise is an anticipatio…

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Source & rights

Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.

Project Gutenberg source record →

Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.