PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 7 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 280,193 words · 586 reading sections
797. J ^ Wounded Spirit. 193
called to sustain. Where piety is superadded to natural fortitude, and the grace of God is in full activity, a man can support any load, however heavy. What an accumulated weight of afflictions came on Job ! yet he not only blessed God for them, but, when his wife urged him to renounce his allegiance to God on ac…
395 wordsSECTION 182194 Proverbs, Xviii. 14. [797.
Nor is it at all uncommon for men of the greatest fortitude thus to sink. To produce this, is the tendency of calamities of any kind, jierHonal, domestic, or public. See the Apostle's caution to the Church of Corinth respecting their conduct towards a member whom they had excommunicated from among them. As they ha…
500 wordsSECTION 183797.~1 ^ Wounded Spirit. 195
[Satan, though he can no longer possess the bodies of men as formerly he did, has yet great power over their souls. " His fiery darts " can inflict the deadliest wound. Paul himself was not able to endure " the buffetings " of that malignant enemy, till, by repeated cries to his Divine Master, he had obtained from…
694 wordsSECTION 184797.~1 ^ Wounded Spirit. 195
2. Our afflictions, of whatever kind they be, will endure but a little time — [The Apostle speaks of all, even the heaviest afflictions, as light and momentary"^. Even life itself is but as a shadow that declineth ; or a weaver's shuttle, which soon finishes the piece that is to be severed from the loom. And when …
253 wordsSECTION 185798. J Divine Knowledge Most Desirable. 197
be much cast down at trials, however painful to flesh and blood, when we consider that their duration is but as the twinkling of an eye, and that they will so soon terminate in inconceivable and everlasting felicity.] 3. There is in Christ a full sufficiency for every wound — [We need not go to the eternal world …
319 wordsSECTION 186198 Proverbs, Xix. 2. [798.
Prov.xix.2. That the soul he ivithout knowledge, it is not good. THERE is nothing so highly prized as knowledge. No pains are deemed too great for the acquirement of it ; no expense too large It is that which, more than any thing else, raises a man in public estima- tion, and gives him influence in the world "" T…
567 wordsSECTION 187798.] Divine Knowledge Most Desirable. "199
was opened for sin " upon the cross ; and therefore he cannot wash in it. He knows not of a righteousness wrought out for him ; and therefore he cannot clothe himself with it. The great and precious promises which God has given us in his word, have, in his mind, but little weight, little reality. His repentances, …
488 wordsSECTION 188200 Proverbs, Xix. 2. [798.
to raise liim from the dead, and to set him above all the princi- palities and powers whether of heaven or hell," he conceives that similar conquests are not to be expected by mortal man ; and that to rise thus superior to sin and Satan, is an object to be desired rather than attained. Hence he satisfies himself w…
471 wordsSECTION 189Learn,
1. To pity those who are in ignorance of the truth of Christ — to Rom. ix. 30—33. and x. 2, 3. <= Hos. iv. G. ^ Eph. ii. 12. 798.J DIVIN?; KfJOWLEDGE MOST DESIRABLE. 201 [You would surely pity your friends and relatives, if you saw them destitute of the common faculties of men : but, believe me, they are still gr…
514 wordsSECTION 190The Sinfulness Of Murmuring Against God.
take vengeance on them that kneio not God, and obeyed not the Gospel ; much more will he take vengeance on those who have trodden under foot his blood, and done despite to his Spirit of grace. If God have shined into your hearts, to give you the light of his Gospel, you must walk as children of the light and of th…
387 wordsSECTION 191799.1 The Sinfulness Of Murmuring Against God. 20.3
immediately after the fall% and is it too often imitated by his guilty descendants — ] 2. On account of their sorrows — [Sorrow is entailed on all as the punishment of the first transgression : but most of the afflictions which men suffer are brought on them by their own folly. Some involve themselves in distress…
395 wordsSECTION 192204 Proverbs, Xix. 3. [799.
will it tend to the peace and composure of our own spirits. It is as unprofitable to us as it is unjust towards him. True wis- dom would teach us to humble ourselves in his presence, and to renew our supplications with greater earnestness. This conduct is as sure to succeed, as the other is to fail of success^.] I…
427 wordsSECTION 193The Consequence Of Sloth.
[There is no rod which has not a voice to us. Our very sins may be permitted, in order to humble us, and to make us niore thankfully cleave to the Savdour. Our trials, of whatever kind, are to purge away our dross, and to fit us for our eternal rest. To view them in this light will greatly compose our minds ; inst…
378 wordsSECTION 19420G Proverbs, Xx. 4. [800.
it, and cherish the good seed, which we want it to produce. Thus also must the Christian exert liimself in order to bring forth the fruits of righteousness. His heart is proHfic in what is evil, but barren in what is good : he must therefore daily counteract its natural propensities, and foster the holy desires th…
448 wordsSECTION 195800.J The Consequence Of Sloth. 207
[Circumstances occur in this world to interrupt the na- tural operation of causes and effects: but in general, where any man's subsistence depends upon his labour, the consequences of sloth or activity will be such as might be expected. In spiritual things the rule is absolute and invariable. Every man's progress …
447 wordsSECTION 196True Piety Is Rare.
what little improvement have we made of it ! How apt are we to yield to sloth, and to defer the most important of all duties on slight and frivolous pretences, which we know before- hand will never satisfy our Judge ! But what can ever equal this folly ? A sluggard in temporal things may find some one to pity his …
387 wordsSECTION 197801.] True Piety Is Rare. '209
we believe every man honest, till we have evidence to the contrary : but they exempt no man from their suspicions, till a full experience of his integrity has constrained them to revere his character. But be- tween the extremes of blind confidence and unchari- table suspicion, there is a medium, a cautious reserve…
376 wordsSECTION 198Sio Proverbs, Xx. G. [801.
themselves in self-esteem, self-preference, self-righteousness, and self-dependence ; and, when full of these hateful disposi- tions, they will be " thanking God (with the Pharisee) that they arc not as other men^," and will, in the habit of their minds at least, say to a repenting publican, " Stand off; come not n…
432 wordsSECTION 199801.] True Piety Is Rare. 211
and friendship, you will, as soon as you come into any great trouble, find yourself in the predicament of one, "who has a broken tooth, or a foot out of joint '^;" being not only deceived in your expectations of succour, but deriving great pain from your endea- vours to obtain it ? Even in reference to these virt…
410 wordsSECTION 200212 Proverbs, Xx. G. [801.
to repent, and turn to God, and to stand ready for death and judgment. Even the most advanced Christians feel many secret reproofs in their consciences, and are constrained to acknowledge, that they should be more meek and humble, more earnest and vigilant, more pure and spiritual. But who is faithful to his convi…
480 wordsSECTION 201No Absolute Perfection Here Below.
has, in instances without number, been unfaithful to his prin- ciples, his promises, and his convictions ? If we presumed to stand on that ground, God would say, " Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant." But, if we were not conscious of any unfaithfulness, we still could not venture to make…
363 wordsSECTION 202214 Proverbs, Xx. 9. [802.
There have been, and yet are, persons in the Church of Christ who boast of sinless perfection. But they are awfully deluded. In order to maintain their favourite system, they reduce exceedingly the requirements of God's law; they deny many things to be sin, which most assuredly are sin ; and, after all, they shut…
438 wordsSECTION 203802. J No Absolute Perfection Here Below. 215
3. From the confessions of God's most eminent saints — [Job, previous to his trials, was pronounced by God " a perfect man ;" yet, after his trials, confessed, " Behold, I am vile ! " Paul occupies a whole chapter in his epistle to the Romans in describing the internal conflicts of his mind ; sin and grace mutual…
436 wordsSECTION 20421G Proverbs, Xx. 9. [802.
since past, but for tlie taint also which they have left behind them, that this self-abasement is necessary. So Job thought', and so Isaiah ^, and so PauP : and, if we know ourselves aright, we shall find no terms more suited to express our real state, than those in which the prophet Isaiah described the Jews of h…
509 wordsSECTION 205Desire Is Nothing Without Labour.
4. Our love to Christ — [Notwithstanding in ourselves we are so corrupt, in Christ we are accepted, and beloved of the Lord. Washed in his blood, and clothed in his righteousness, we are presented unto the Father " without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing ; yea, holy, and without blemish." O! how " precious" oug…
367 wordsSECTION 206218 Proverbs, Xxi. 25. [803.
It is plain that, in Solomon's opinion, good desires, which when duly cherished and improved, will be productive of the happiest effects, may through sloth and indolence issue in self-deception and ruin. That we may have a just view of this important subject, I will mark the influence of good desires, 1. In the b…
438 wordsSECTION 207803.J Desire Is Nothing Without Labour. 219
takes occasion from them to entertain a good opinion of his state before God. He puts them in the place of good attain- ments; and, because he hopes that they shall at some futvire period accomplish their proper work, he overlooks the neces- sity of immediately experiencing that work, and conceives, that God will,…
441 wordsSECTION 208220 Proverbs, Xxi. 25. [803.
2. Operative — [You desire to obtain salvation. It is well : but to what purpose will this desire be, if it do not stimulate you to action ? Will a desire of knowledge render any one a philosopher, if he neglect his studies ? Will a desire of a harvest enrich a man, if he neglect to cultivate his land? How then ca…
456 wordsSECTION 209Dccciv.
TtlE FEAR OF GOD ALL THE DAY. Prov. xxiii. 17, 18. Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long : for surely there is an end : a?id thine expectation shall not be cut off. THE men of this world, feeling but little restraint from the voice of conscience or the fear of God, gra- tify, each in his own way, their…
338 wordsSECTION 210222 Proverbs, Xxiii. 17, 18. [804.
have; but we neither have, nor can have, " a Spirit of adop- tion, emboldening us to call him Father :" for "the Holy Spirit can never bear witness vsdth our spirit, that we are the Lord's''," till we are made his by faith in Christ Jesus'^. But when we are become his children, then we must go in and out before hi…
490 wordsSECTION 211804. J The Fear Of God All The Day. 223
thoughts, no less than to your actions, that so you may be found "sincere and without offence until the day of Christ'."] And, lest such a constant attention to duty should appear irksome to you, let me shew you, II. The encouragement given us to the performance of it— The whole Scripture declares, that, " verily…
406 wordsSECTION 212224 Proverbs, Xxiti. 17, 18. [804.
but God himself promises that "your strength shall be accord- ing to your day." His very covenant with his people is, " He will put his fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from him*." This is a principle which cannot but operate, and cannot but be effectual for the mortification of all sin, and for th…
445 wordsSECTION 213Buying The Truth.
[x\s for I/O u who fear not God, whatever ye may possess of this world, or whatever gratifications ye may enjoy, ye have a miserable portion indeed: and thougli ye abounded with every thing, like the Rich Man in the Gospel, yet were a pious Lazarus, that was destitute of all things, or even a martyr at the stake, …
374 wordsSECTION 214'^26 Proverbs, Xxiii. 23. [805.
[The Gospel was revealed to Abraham, as well as unto us: and it was made yet more fully known to Moses and the Israelites; though, from their " not mixing faith with it, it did not profit them." On us it shines in its meridian splendour : it exhibits to us a Saviour, even our incarnate God, living and dying for si…
469 wordsSECTION 215805.] Buying The Truth. 227
of preat price : which whosoever finds, should go and sell all that he has and purchase it^" If, like the Rich Youth in the Gospel, we refuse to part with all, we never can possess the salvation of God. St. Paul is our pattern in this respect. He possessed more of what was really valuable than any uncon- verted ma…
484 wordsSECTION 216228 Proverbs, Xxiii. 23. [805.
such a Gospel is but too often commended to us at this day. Examine, tlien, what ye hear; and bring it all to the test of (jod's blessed word. The salvation which we offer you, is that which Christ purchased for us on the cross ; a salvation alt;)- getlier by (/race and through faith in Christ. It is that, and tha…
486 wordsSECTION 217The Duty Of Giving The Heart To God.
Herodias ; nor, with Agrippa, to become altogether Christians: but now forsake all for Christ ; and expect, both in this world and the next, a rich and glorious equivalent'.] 1 Luke xviii. 28—30. Prov. xxiii. 26. My Son, give me thy heart. THIS address, however it may be considered in some respect as delivered by…
322 wordsSECTION 218230 Proverbs, Xxiii. 26. [806.
[If there be any thing besides God in the whole universe, on whicli we rely, we do not really give our heart to him. To trust, though in ever so small a degree, in an arm of flesh, argues a departure of heart from God''. We should confide altogether in his wisdom to guide, and his power to uphold us, in his goodne…
436 wordsSECTION 219806.1 The Duty Of Giving The Heart To God. 231
gives this as the duty of every man according to the dictates of his most deliberate judgment : '* The love of Christ constrain- eth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who di…
466 wordsSECTION 220The Folly Of Vain Excuses.
[This command of A.lmiglity God is not to be trifled witli. Let none presume to withstand it, or to delay their obedience to it : for if we obey it not, we never can behold his face in peace'". Attend to it then; and see that ye obey it in truth. Give not to your God and Saviour a divided heart ; for such an offer…
370 wordsSECTION 221807. J The Folly Of Vain Excuses. 233
None are so hardy as to deny their obligation to serve God : yet the great mass of mankind will plead excuses for their neglect, 1 . Of religious duties — [" They have not time to attend to their spiritual con- cerns." Not time ? For what then is their time given them? and vi^hat other business have they in compa…
656 wordsSECTION 222Dcccviii.
2. To live in daily expectation of the future judg- ment— [Ask yourselves, not merely, What do I think of this or that conduct? but. What would God say to it, if I were in- stantly summoned to his tribunal? Such a question as this would often lead you to a very different estimate of yourselves from that which you…
572 wordsSECTION 223236 Proverbs, Xxiv. 30—34. [808.
rise, and which, if suffered to remain, will materially impede the growth of every good plant. But is there not reason to fear that the greater part of us have shewn ourselves " slothful, and void of understanding? Have we not been shamefully remiss in our attention to these great concerns ? Have not the fruits pr…
672 wordsSECTION 224238 Proverbs, Xxv. 21, 22. [809.
2. Ruinous — [The ruin of a man who neglects his farm or merchandise is gradual and irresistible : his circumstances become more and more embarrassed ; and at last he is apprehended for debt, immured in a prison, and reduced to utter " poverty and want." What a picture does this exhibit of a man who neglects his …
458 wordsSECTION 225809.] Returning Good For Evil. 239
Prov. XXV. 21, 22. If thine enemy he hungry, give him bread to eat ; and if he be thirsty, give him ivater to drink : for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head; and the Lord shall retvard thee. THE morality both of the Old and New Testament is the same. Some have imagined, that, because our blessed Lord sai…
534 wordsSECTION 226240 Proverbs, Xxv. 21, 22. [809.
our reach ; or be too powerful for us to contend with ; or be so low, as to be deemed unworthy of our notice. But in our hearts we shall find the vindictive principle strongly operative, disposing us to take pleasure in any evil that may have befallen our enemy, and to decline yielding him any service, which, unde…
496 wordsSECTION 227809. J Returning Good For Evil. 241
help him ^." Thus by the law of Moses the secret alienation of heart was to be counteracted by the exercise of actual kind- ness and benevolence. But the words of our text are stronger still, and especially as they ai-e cited by the Apostle Paul. The idea conveyed by him is, that we must not merely give oui- enemy…
466 wordsSECTION 228242 Proverbs, Xxv. 21, 22. [809.
intimates, when he says, " Be not overcome of evil ; but over- come evil with goocl°." Indeed, where there is a spark of in- genuousness left, we cannot but hope that such benevolence as this will at last prevail. We have some remarkable instances of this in the life of David. Saul had persecuted him with most rel…
494 wordsSECTION 229810.] The Danger Of Conceit. 24-3
wise lose its reward, much less shall services rendered to an enemy for his sake pass unnoticed. St. Peter tells us, that we are called to such trials, and carried through them hi a triumphant manner, on purpose " that we may inherit a blessing""." But the point is repeatedly asserted by our Lord himself: "Blessed …
384 wordsSECTION 230214 Proverbs, Xxvi. 12. [810.
Prov. xxvi. 12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit ? there is more hope of a fool, than of him. THE Scripture seeks not to please the fastidious ear of man, but calls both persons and things by their appropriate names. Sin is declared to be the ex- tremest folly ; and those who commit it, are pro- claimed f…
439 wordsSECTION 231810. ] The Danger Of Conceit. 245
the wisdom of others : so that to bring him to sound wisdom and discretion is indeed a hopeless task. If he will not deli- berate and weigh matters for himself, or listen to instruction and advice from others ; and if the means used to rectify his views do but confirm him the more in his delusions, there is indeed…
474 wordsSECTION 2329A'6 Proverbs, Xxvi. 12. [810.
of sin and Satan, he will never be undeceived, till he shall open his eyes in the eternal woi'ld.] The fool then, I say, is in a more hopeful state than he — [The fool, notwithstanding his ignorance, may leavn: and if he will only submit himself to divine teaching, he shall learn ; nor shall his weakness be any b…
700 wordsSECTION 233218 Proverbs, Xxvii. 1. [811.
•i^ Col. ii. 8. 1 Rom. xii. 10. '" 1 Cor. viii. 2. n 1 Cor. ill. 18. ° 1 Cor. iii, 19, 20. p Isai. v. 21. '1 Ps. cxix. 18. '• Job xxxiv. 32. Prov. xxvii. 1. Boast not thyself of to-morroiv : for tliou knoicest not ivhat a day may bring forth. THE opinions of men are not less opposite to the mind of God in what re…
646 wordsSECTION 234811.] Against Depending Upon Future Time. 249
do in order to his eternal salvation, if lie were asszired that he had not one day more to live ? And would not the j^^'obable nearness of death influence him in like manner in proiwrtion as it was felt ?] The whole world standing greatly in need of this caution, we proceed to, II. Enforce it — The reason urged …
455 wordsSECTION 235250 Proverbs, Xxvii. 4. [812.
Man in the Gospel we are saying, " Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years," God may say to us, " Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee^" Who then, that knows the uncertainty of life, will presume upon its con- tinuance? Let us look at the many thousands who, though but lately they see…
341 wordsSECTION 236812.] Envy. 251
Prov. xxvii. 4. Who is able to stand before envy ? MAN is an enemy to his fellow man : nor is there any one who does not on some occasion experience reason for this complaint. But, if some find means of aggression, others obtain means of defence ; some in their own powers ; others in the assistance of friends ; o…
871 wordsSECTION 237812.] F.Nvy. 253
The fact is, that so odious is this principle in the estimation of the whole world, that there is not to be found on earth a person who will acknowledge himself to be actuated by it : though the real truth is, that there is not an unconverted man in the whole universe who is not, as I shall have presently to shew, …
582 wordsSECTION 238254 Proverbs, Xxvii. 4. [812.
of wisdom and discretion might defy them all : but when every misrejiresentation that envy can suggest is listened to with plea- sure, and received without inquiry, who must not fall before it?] The more excellent any conduct is, the more ob- noxious it is to its assaults — [Even piety itself is not beyond its rea…
464 wordsSECTION 239812.] Envy. 255
said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to nie they have ascribed but thousands : and what can he have more, but tlie kingdom? And Saul eyed David from tlial day and forivard. And on the very next day did Saul cast his javelin at David tivice, in order to kill him;" and throughout all the remainder …
496 wordsSECTION 240256 Proverbs, Xxvii. 4. [812.
character of envy, I beg leave to suggest to you some cautions in relation to it. Be careful, 1. Not needlessly to excite it — [Knowing, as you do, how common an evil it is, and how deeply rooted in the heart of man, you should guard against every thing which may call it into action. Whatever you possess, either …
493 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.