PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 7 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 280,193 words · 586 reading sections
60 Proverbs, V. 12, 13. [765.
take occasion from our text to set before you in a more enlarged view, I. The sinner's retrospect — That we may bring home the subject to every man's bosom, we shall consider men under two dis- tinct classes ; 1. Those who already feel some painful conse- quences of their past conduct — [Amongst these we must f…
669 wordsSECTION 6262 Proverbs, V. 12, 13. [765.
Are we willing to spend eternity in self-condemn- ing reflections ? [They must follow us, if we die in our sins. God himself will remind us of the benefits which here we neglected to im- prove : " Son, remember, that thou in thy life-time hadst such and such advantages." What anguish of mind will be occasioned by…
639 wordsSECTION 63The Captivating Power Of Sin.
Prov. V. 22. His oivu iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. THE force of habit is well known : it operates as a second nature ; so constant is it in its exercise, and so imperious in its demands. There is this difference however in habits of piety, and habits …
379 wordsSECTION 6464- Proverbs, V. 22. [766.
he has contracted : his soul is bound with it as with a cord, and he cannot burst his bonds. In a similar plight is he who has given himself up to the gratification of" his lusts and passions. They, at least as far as the mind is concerned, are increased by indulgence, so that every object calls forth desire, and …
496 wordsSECTION 657Cg.J The Captivating Power Of Sin. 65
up wrath against the day of wrath," and accumulate mountains of guilt to sink us deeper and deeper into everlasting perdition \ Our employment will be like that of those mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah, who " drew out iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as a cart-rope'^ :" for, as a rope is spun out continually …
454 wordsSECTION 6666 Proverbs, V. 22. [766.
do. Say not, This angry temper is a light evil: It is murder in the seed and embryo ; and may terminate in the very act of murder much sooner than you imagine. Say not, This impure thought or look is venial : it is constructive adultery ; to which it leads, and in which, ere you are aware of it, it may soon issue.…
488 wordsSECTION 67The Sluggard Reproved.
Prov. vi. 6 — 10. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her tvags and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, 0 sluggard ? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep ? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a …
346 wordsSECTION 6868 Proverbs, Vi. 6—10. [_7G7.
There is scarcely any tiling in the whole creation from which we may not derive the most valuable in- struction. The ox and the ass, the crane and the swallow, are brought forward by God himself to teach and reprove us'' : and here we are referred for in- struction to the ant. She collects in summer the food that…
436 wordsSECTION 69767. J The Sluggard Reproved. 69
it. Should not you then exert yourselves with all diligence ? Are you not convinced, that to prepare for eternity is " a rea- sonable service," yea, that it is, in fact, " the one thing need- ful ? " — Will you then grudge your labour? Will you not put forth willingly and habitually all the powers of your souls in…
457 wordsSECTION 7070 Proverbs, Vi. 6—10. [767.
but every day and hour brings them nearer towards thee ; and that too so clearly, that, if thou wouldst stop to examine, thou shouldst see evident symptoms of their approach. Who has not found, that the longer he lives in any sin, the more he becomes addicted to it, and enslaved by it ? Tlie truth is, that as a man…
510 wordsSECTION 71767.] The Sluggard Reproved. 71
hitherto ? Are you at all more disposed for exertion now, than you were when first you were bidden to arise ? Ts your ability for God's service at all increased by deferring your attempts to serve him ? Have you not found, invariably, that procrastination has increased your difficulties, at the very time that it a…
487 wordsSECTION 72Love To The Holy Scriptures Inculcated.
would never have forsaken him as they did in the hour of his deepest trial. But, if you do not watch and be sober, depend upon it that Satan will prevail against you, and " sift you as wheat." " Be sober then, and vigilant." Give not way to drowsiness in your spiritual calling : but " give all dihgence to make you…
363 wordsSECTION 73768. J Love To The Scriptures Inculcated. 73
but the whole revealed will of God. Now to w^hat- ever the counsels of the Deity relate, 1. They should be treasured up with diligence — [Whatever is of more than ordinary value in our eyes, we lay it up with care in a place of safety ; and the more of it we can amass, the richer we feel ourselves to be. Now there…
495 wordsSECTION 7474 Proverbs, Vii. 1—4. [768.
should exercise all possible vigilance to keep his counsels, and preserve inviolate his holy commandments.] 3. They should be kept ready for use — [It is not sufficient that we have reduced the counsels of God, as it were, to certain heads, and made memorandums of them in our books, so as to be able to refer to th…
422 wordsSECTION 75768.] Love To The Scriptures Inculcated. 75
vantage is insisted on, namely, the being delivered from the snares and temptations to which we are ex- posed. That we may comprehend both, we would observe, that by om' attention to the Divine comisels, 1. We shall be delivered from evil — [" From the way of the evil woman " is particularly noticed, both here an…
450 wordsSECTION 7676 Proverbs, Viii. 17. [769.
IS, God will surely pour out upon the soul his richest bless- ings. Hear what our blessed Lord says respecting this : " He that hath my connnandmcnts and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me : and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him : " yea, " We wi…
289 wordsSECTION 77769.1 Address Preparatory To Confirmation. 77
Prov. viii. 17. / love them thai love me ; and those that seek me early, shall find me. THESE are the words of our blessed Lord% who, under the name of Widom, addresses himself to the children of men^ and urges them to receive instruc- tion from him''. But to the young they are more par- ticularly directed : and …
548 wordsSECTION 7878 Proverbs, Viii. 17. [769.
The persons to whom the promise is more espe- cially made, are " those who seek him early." [Those who seek the Lord even " at the eleventh hour" shall not be cast out" ; but those who in the early dawn of their day are found desirous of entering into the service of their Lord, shall surely be employed by him. The…
654 wordsSECTION 7980 Proverbs, Viii. 29—32. [770.
is already past, be the more earnest now in " redeeming the time" that yet remains to you ] ^ ver. 21. y Eccl. xii. 1. ^ Isai. Iv. 6. wisdom's address to men. Prov. viii. 29 — 32. When he appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was hy him, as one brought up loith him : and I was daily his delight, rejoicin…
656 wordsSECTION 8080 Proverbs, Viii. 29—32. [770.
770.] wisdom's address to men. 81 Deity. Wisdom intimated, that she had a plan to propose ; a plan, whereby Mercy might have free scope for exercise, not only without invading or injuring the rights of any other at- tribute, but to the great advantage of them all, insomuch that all should be honoured to an infinit…
471 wordsSECTION 8182 Proverbs, Viti. 29—32. [77O.
was God®;" that " He made all things ; and that without him nothing was made that was made," Here then we have the precise language of oiir text applied to the Son of God, who was from all eternity " in the bosom of the Father V' concur- ring with him in all that ever he planned or executed s. How he was occupied …
842 wordsSECTION 8284 Proverbs, Viii. 29—32. [770.
Our chief attention however must be directed to that ado- rable Saviour, who " spake as never man spake," and in whom his most inveterate enemies could not find a flaw*. In him we have such lessons of wisdom as the whole universe besides does not afford. In tracing all the circumstances of his life, we shovild do …
667 wordsSECTION 8384 Proverbs, Viii. 29—32. [770.
a corrupt heart, and of a deceitful world O ! think what dangers are before you : see *' what multitudes are walking in the broad road that leadeth to destruction, and how few there are that walk in the narrow path that leadeth unto life ! " and remember, that " you must reap according to what you sow : if you sow…
428 wordsSECTION 84The Value Of True Wisdom.
day," even till Christ himself, " the Sun of righteousness, arise upon you with healing in his wings." O seek to " grow in grace, and in the knowled-'-e of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ! " Be constant in your attendance on the ordinances of God ; search the Scriptures, and treasure them up in your hearts; and,…
375 wordsSECTION 85771. J The Value Of True Wisdom. 87
side in our interpretation of the text, than ground upon it any observations which may appear forced, or unwarranted by the text itself. Two things then we shall be led to notice ; I. The benefit of seekini? true wisdom — Wisdom, whether relating to temporal or eternal things, is never found by chance : it must b…
433 wordsSECTION 8688 Proverbs, Viii. 35, 3G. [77 1.
" keep them with all the care and tenderness with which we keep the apple of our eye :" and he will administer to them, in every hour of trial, whatever shall be most suited to their necessities ^. In the hour of death especially, " when they arc goinf?, as it were, through fire and water, he will be with them : "…
439 wordsSECTION 87771. J The Value Of True Wisdom. 89
[Can any one, it may be asked, love death ? We answer, No; not for its oivn sake ; but, as connected with sin, he may. There is an inseparable connexion between life and holiness on the one hand, and sin and death on the other. Could sin and heaven be allied, and enjoyed together, doubtless every sinner would pref…
495 wordsSECTION 8800 Proverbs, Ix. 1— G. [772.
him to do so : "I love them that love mc ; and they that seek me early, *^a// find me^."] 2. To those who profess to have found it — [Men will judge of religion, not by what the Bible says of it, but by what they see in those who profess it : and one instance of folly in the Lord's people will do more to prejudice…
681 wordsSECTION 89V2 Proverbs, Ix. 1—6. [772.
2. The feast, too, is prepared — [" The beasts," the sacrifices, " are killed ;" and " the wine," for the purpose of rendering its flavour more exquisite, is " mingled." The entertainment is, in reality, a feast upon a sacrifice. And what is that sacrifice on which the whole world may feast, but the sacrifice of C…
777 wordsSECTION 90V2 Proverbs, Ix. 1—6. [772.
But, of course, you must forsake those habits which you have hitherto indulged, and separate yourselves from those associates who would divert you from Wisdom's ways. For, " vi'hat fellowship can righteousness have with unrighteousness, or what communion can light have with darkness ? There is a necessity for you …
748 wordsSECTION 91Dcclxxiii.
t Wisd. V. 4 — 6. u Isai. Iv. 1—3. * ver. 13 — 18. y Luke xiv. 23. 773.] god's care for the righteous. 95 god's care for the righteous. Prov. X. 3. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish. GOD, who is the author and giver of all good, dis- penses his blessings no less to the evil and unjust,…
407 wordsSECTION 92Og Proverbs, X. 3. [773.
and feel conscious that they themselves reaped no benefit from the word, they are ready to fear that their souls will famish even in the midst of plenty.] 3. They well know that they deserve to be utterly abandoned by their God — [It is not only for their sins in general, that the righteous find occasion to humbl…
744 wordsSECTION 93Effects Of Sloth And Diligence Compared.
come with more eager appetite Be more careful to digest the word afterward by meditation and prayer And look, not so much to the manner in which the word is preached, as to Christ in the word ; since he is that bread of life which alone can nourish your souls ; and which, if eaten by faith, will surely nourish the…
457 wordsSECTION 94774.^ Effects Of Sloth And Diligemce. C9
nor can it be expected that we should ever prosper in our spi- ritual concerns. It may also be said of them ivhen they slnin not the occasions of spiritual decay. God has mercifully guarded us against the cares", the pleasures^, the company of the world *^; and against the indulgence of any secret sin** And it is …
409 wordsSECTION 95100 Proverbs, X. 4. [774.
It includes also a conscientious improveinent of all talents. Various are the talents committed unto men. Time, money, influence, together with every mental endowment, are among those which a Christian will feel liimself more especially bound to improve. He considers them as given to him for the pur- pose of honou…
535 wordsSECTION 96Dcclxxv.
god's blessing, the greatest riches. Prov. X. 22. The blessing of the Lord, it maheth rich ; a?id he addeth no sorroiv with it. AMIDST the lessons of practical wisdom which we are taught in the Book of Proverbs, we find a continual reference to God as the source and the end of all. If we attempt to spiritualize t…
287 wordsSECTION 97102 Proverbs, X. 22. [775.
Who sees not how often men fail even in their best-concerted efforts ? Success depends, in fact, on so many contingencies, whicli it is altogether beyond the power of man to control, that the wisest and most industrious of men must of necessity rely on God alone ; even as the husbandman, who, though he can plough …
695 wordsSECTION 98102 Proverbs, X. 22. [775.
But there is another view, in which riches are far from affording any solid satisfaction ; and that is, on account of the responsibility attached to them. They are talents to be im- proved for God : and, whether wasted in extravagance, or hid in a napkin, they will bring down nothing but a curse in the day of judg…
346 wordsSECTION 99104 Proverbs, Xi. 18. [776.
yea, and the more exquisite because his master was honoured in all the good tliat was done. Such a steward the true Chris- tian feels himself to be : and his final account, also, he con- templates with joy; assured that his stewardship shall be both approved and rewarded in that day.] From this subject I would tak…
336 wordsSECTION 100776.] Portion Of The Wicked And Righteous. 105
Prov. xi. 18. The wicked ivorJceth a deceitful tvork: hut to Mm that soweth righteousness shall he a sure reward. TO a superficial observer the wicked appear to have a far better portion than the righteous : for it is certain, that, in respect of earthly things, the wicked have the larger share ; whilst the righte…
462 wordsSECTION 101106 Proverbs, Xi. 18. [776.
to gratify liimself, and to follow the bent of his own carnal inclinations. He may not indulge in gross sins : but he is alto^ gether earthly : and whatever he may have of religion, it is a mere form, that engages not his heart, not is in any respect the delight of his soul. In a word, the one looks forward to a f…
473 wordsSECTION 102770.1 Portion Of The Wicked And Righteous. 107
cistern, and that no true happiness can be found, but in Christ the fountain of living waters.] The righteous, on the contrary, have a sure reward — [The seed he sows may lie a long time under the clods, and may seem as if it were buried for ever : but it shall spring up in due season, and bring with it a harvest …
739 wordsSECTION 103777.] Christian Liberality Encouraged. 109
n 2 Cor. ix. 6. » Matt. vii. 13, 14. P Pro v. i. 18. <l Prov. viii. 36. ^ Ps. cxxvi. 5, G. Prov. xi. 25. The liberal soul shall he made fat : and he that watereth shall be ivatered also himself. IF only we be careful to divest our statements of every thing which carries with it the idea of merit, it is scarcely p…
802 wordsSECTION 104777.] Christian Liberality Encouraged. 109
Such being the proper spirit of a Christian, let us consider, II. The benefits that will accrue to the possessor of it — However great may be the good which a person of this spirit may do, I hesitate not to say, that he will receive far greater benefits than he imparts : he will receive them, 1. From the very ex…
684 wordsSECTION 105112 Troverbs, Xl 30. [778.
We may clearly see from hence, 1. From whence proceeds that leanness, of which so many complain — [Many complain, that, notwithstanding the Gospel is so rich in its blessings, they are not happy. But I believe it will be generally found, that they who complain thus live only for themselves. I think it almost impo…
418 wordsSECTION 106778.] The Wisdom Of Winning Souls. 113
Prov. xi. 30. He that winneth souls, is tvise. REAL piety is operative, and influential on the whole life ; and discovers itself very principally in laboiu-s of love to those around us. " The fruit of the righteous is" very fitly compared to '' a tree of life," which administers to the welfare of all who come und…
510 wordsSECTION 107114 Proverbs, Xl 30. [778.
of the human race Who can calculate the benefits accruing from such a change ?] 3. To himself also — [Who ever laboured for God without receiving in his own soul a rich reward^?" " Who ever watered others, and was not himself watered by the Lord •^?" The very graces which a man exercises, in winning souls to God,…
478 wordsSECTION 108778.1 The Wisdom Of Winning Souls. 115
their "Amen to this ; and sing their praises unto God who sit- teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever'." Compare with this work, then, " all the labour that is done under the sun," and it is no better than laborious folly. Not he that accumulates to himself wealth or honour, but " he that winnet…
428 wordsSECTION 109The Excellency Of The Righteous.
Prov. xii. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour. MEN in their external appearance are alike ; so far at least, that their moral character cannot with any accuracy be determined by it. But God, who searches the heart, sees an immense difference be- tween different men ; such a difference as suffic…
345 wordsSECTION 11077^.] The Excellency Of The Righteous. 117
The Holy Ghost also dwells in him — [He is a temple of the Holy Ghost "^j who ahides in him more manifestly and more effectually than in the whole universe besides : and so desirable a residence is his heart accounted by the Holy Spirit, that, in comparison of it, the temple of Solo- mon itself was held in utter c…
447 wordsSECTION 111118 Proverbs, Xii. 26. [779.
constrains him ; because he thus judges, that if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that they who live shoukl not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again ^" And as he serves his God from love, so is he actuated by the same principle in all his in…
501 wordsSECTION 112779.1 The Excellency Of The Righteous. 119
III. In his habits — The righteous man hves altogether to his God — [See him from day to day : his whole soul is humbled before God, tinder a sense of his own extreme unvvorthiness. Were you to behold him in his secret chamber, you would behold him more abased before his God for an evil thought or desire, than an…
761 wordsSECTION 113780.] The Character And End Of The Wicked. 121
Address — 1. Those whom God has classed with "the wicked" — [You will find, in the words following my text, that the persons contrasted with the righteous are so designated : and of them it is said, " The way of the wicked seduceth them." Now, it must be granted, that " their way"is viore easy, and to flesh and b…
482 wordsSECTION 114122 Proverbs, Xiii. 5. [78O.
Prov. xiii. 5. A wicked man is lothesome, and cometh to shame. THE world in general uphold and countenance one another m their evil ways ; some will even " make a mock at sin," and glory in it. But God's testimony respecting the wicked man is, that, whatever be his rank, or talents, or estimation among men, he i…
494 wordsSECTION 115780.] The Character And End Of The Wicked. 123
are the very best of men, that there are few, if any, who would not rather die, than have all the secrets of their hearts known to men as they are known to God. What then are such per- sons, but whited sepulchres'^? No wonder that, however they be esteemed among men, both their persons and services are an abominat…
428 wordsSECTION 116The Way Of Transgressors Hard.
1. What is that repentance which such persons need — [It is by no means sufficient to confess that we are sinners: we sliould feel that we are indeed lothesome^; and should be filled with shame on account of the extreme vileness of our hearts™. Nothing less than this will constitute that " repent- ance which is n…
683 wordsSECTION 117The Way Of Transgressors Hard.
II. Of disquietude — [The ungodly man, whatever be his pursuit, finds nothing in which his soul can rest. Possess what he may, " in the midst of his sufiiciency he is in straits^." There is always a secret something unpossessed ; some object which he thinks would make him happy, but which, even when in appearance …
639 wordsSECTION 118781.1 The Way Of Transgressors Hard. 127
what "weeping" under the load of his misery ! what "wail- ing " on account of his folly, in having so wasted his day of grace ! and what " gnashing of teeth," with unprofitable exe- crations against his avenging God ! Such is the danger to which the unconverted man is every moment exposed. At his most joyous feast…
431 wordsSECTION 119The Folly Of Making A Mock At Sin.
Prov. xiv. 9. Fools make a mock at sin. MAN in his first creation was formed after the Divine image ; and there was not in his soul the least inclination to evil of any kind. But since his fall, he is become in love with sin : sin is the very element in which he lives : and so unconscious is he of its malignity, …
362 wordsSECTION 120782.] Folly Of Making A Mock At Sin. 129
applauded as characters of superior excellence, have no true humiliation before God, no earnest desires after a Saviour, no real delight in holy exercises, no fixedness of mind to glorify their God. What shall I say of them all ? Have they any just views of sin ? Have they any suitable apprehensions of the state t…
508 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.