PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 7 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 280,193 words · 586 reading sections
813.] The Hearts Of Men Alike. S57
3. Not basely to fear it — [Though you are not to make an ostentatious display of any excellence you may possess, and especially of piety, you are not to put your light under a bushel, through the fear of any hostility which a discovery of it may provoke. Whatsoever your duty is, whether to God or man, that you ar…
404 wordsSECTION 242258 Proverbs, Xxvii. 19. [813.
Prov. xxvii. 19. As in tcater face ansivereth to face, so the heart of man to man. THERE are many things which are justly con- sidered as axioms, of the truth of which we are fully VOL. VII. s convinced, because they are the result of observation and experience : yet, being declared also by the voice of inspirat…
406 wordsSECTION 243813.] The Hearts Of Men Alike. ^59
2. In character — [There is in the natural constitution of men a great differ- ence. Infants at their mother's breast display an astonishing- variety of character ; some being mild, gentle, placid ; others, on the contrary, being filled with the most violent and hateful dispositions. Education, too, will operate v…
397 wordsSECTION 244200 Proverbs, Xxvii. 19. [813.
[All unenlightened men agree in this ; they affect supremely the things of time and sense. In this also they agree ; they dis- affect things spiritual and eternal. Here we may range through all the gradations of men, from the prince to the peasant ; and through all their ages, from infancy to old age ; yea, and thr…
507 wordsSECTION 245813.] The Hearts Of Men Alike. 261
warrant their hope in him. None, in the first instance, see, nor, if they were instructed, would they approve, the Gospel method of salvation, simply by faith in Christ. To renounce evei'y kind and degree of hope in themselves is, to their proud hearts, an act of humiliation, to which they cannot submit. They think…
769 wordsSECTION 246814.1 Effects Of Piety And Impiety In The World. 263
2. For our consolation — [When under peculiar temptations, we are ready to think that there is no one like us, and that no one was ever tempted as we are. But " there has no temptation taken any one of us, but what is common to man ''." And when we know this, it is a rich source of consolation to us. Not that the …
490 wordsSECTION 2472G4 Proverbs, Xxviii. 4. [814.
Prov. xxviii. 4. The^ that forsake the Law, praise the loicked ; hut such as keep the Laio, contend tvith them. MAN, as a social being, has an influence on those around him : and his actions should be considered, not merely as they affect himself, but, in their social aspect, as tending to make an impression upon …
550 wordsSECTION 248814.] Effects Of Piety And Impiety In The World. 265
[IVIany who profess to believe the Gospel, and to make it the ground of their hope towards God, yet feel no constraining influence from all its wonders of love and mercy. They prac- tically say, ' True, the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, and " died the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to Godf^."…
507 wordsSECTION 24926G Proverbs, Xxviii. 4. [814.
judgments are far above out of his sight : and as for all his enemies, he pvffeth at ihem^."] The very reverse of this is the influence, II. Of piety— The man who forsakes the Law, praises the wicked; but the man who keeps the Law, contends with them. He does this, 1. By the silent testimony of his hfe — [A god…
488 wordsSECTION 250814.1 Effects Of Fifty And Impiety In The World. 2G7
their unbelief; his fear, their security ; his obedience, their disobedience. He needed not to say any thing : his conduct spake sufficiently; and the consciences of the beholders made the application. Thus it is, in a measure, with every godly man; he is " an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men'." The un…
505 wordsSECTION 2512G8 Proverbs, Xxviii. 4. [814.
declarinf^, before all, and without reserve, " the whole counsel of God '." Nor, though he move in a private sphere, will he be backward to exert his influence, so far as it extends, for the suppression of evil, and for the diffusion of piety througli the world. This indeed will raise up enemies against him : for …
482 wordsSECTION 252814.*] Effects Of Piety And Impiety In The World. 2()9
influence and example, did evil to as great an extent as any creature that ever lived : but when he exerted his royal influ- ence to reclaim the persons he had seduced to sin, he could not prevail : they would still, notwithstanding all his edicts, and all his example too, continue to " offer sacrifices on their h…
493 wordsSECTION 253270 Proverbs, Xxviii. 5. [815.
on what terms your sentence shall be passed in the last day : " If you suffer with Christ, you shall also reign with him; but if you deny him, he will deny you. If ye believe not his tes- timony, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself";" but will assuredly execute judgment, in perfect conformity to this r…
260 wordsSECTION 254815.1 The Light Enjoyed By The Godly. 271
Prov. xxviii. 5. The?/ that seek the Lord understand all things. THERE are, in the Holy Scriptures, broad, and, if I may so call them, sweeping expressions, which, if taken in their strict and literal sense, have not so much as even the semblance of truth. Yet are they not liable to be misunderstood, because every…
567 wordsSECTION 255272 Proverbs, Xxviii. 5. [815.
to be, and what they are ; and that all, without exception, are " living to themselves, and not unto their God." The different orders of men are, in his eyes, only like different parts of one great army; differently habited indeed, and difierently em- ployed ; some under the very garb of friends, whilst others are …
482 wordsSECTION 256815.1 The Light Enjoyed By The Godly. 273
bereavements. Far different from these, however, are the senti- ments of a godly man. The whole inspired volume, whether it promise or threaten, prohibit or enjoin, is in his eyes a fountain of good, springing up to everlasting life And all the diversified afflictions which arise, are regarded by him as blessings …
430 wordsSECTION 257274 Proverbs, Xxviii. 5. [815.
it ; and another, by strengthening the organs of vision to behold it. Now, without entering into a minute consideration of all these particulars, we may observe, in general, that God's methods of instructing us by his Spirit are somewhat analogous to these; in that he brings home with power to our souls the truths …
533 wordsSECTION 258815.] The Light Enjoyed By The Godly. 275
2. He has an inward experience of the things which he knows — [St. John affirms this very thing : " He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself';" that is, he has in his soul a distinct perception of those truths which he has received through the medium of his understanding. And this also, I t…
493 wordsSECTION 259276 Proverbs, Xxviii. 11. [816.
" They that seek the Lord understand all things." You will remember what our Lord has said : " If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God"." This is that which I have spoken of before : it supposes that there is in us that " honest and good heart," which alone receives the wor…
380 wordsSECTION 260816.] Advantages Of The Rich And Poor Compared. 277
Prov. xxviii. 11. T/ie rich man is wise in his oivn conceit; hut the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. PROVERBS are, for the most part, very obscure: they are intended to convey an abmidance of instruc- tion in a small space : and the truths contained in them are almost always such as escape the obse…
464 wordsSECTION 261278 Proverbs, Xxviil 11. [816.
the Gospel to be received, whilst by the rich it should be re- jected and despised. Nor did our blessed Lord merely affirm this, but lie accounted it a fit subject of praise and thanks- giving : " I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and ha…
473 wordsSECTION 262816. J Advantages Of The Rich And Poor Compared. 279
let them betray a decided love to heavenly things, and multi- tudes will exert themselves in every possible way to divert them from so dangerous a path. Hence their prejudices are all on the side of evil and of the world. And how great the effect of prejudice is, may be seen in the adherents both of Judaism and Po…
492 wordsSECTION 263280 Proverbs, Xxviii. 11. [816.
their conscience : and when they " have a spiritual under- standing," they will follow them : they will not be content to "continue in the broad road, because the many walk there; or to desert the narrow path, because there be but few who find it":" they are more independent of the opinions of the world; and are p…
484 wordsSECTION 264True Repentance Recommended.
that advice of Solomon ; " Labour not to he rich : cease from thine oion uiisdom^." The errors here pointed at are ahnost inseparable from each other ; and every one that is truly wise will be on his guard against them both.] 2. Seek to be " rich towards God" — [That is true wisdom: and the more you possess of spi…
334 wordsSECTION 265282 Proverbs, Xxviii. 13. [817,
[Sin, though it cannot be hidden from God, may be covered from ourselves, by denial, by extenuation, hy for get fulness. Many, though walking in the habitual violation of the plainest duties, will deny that they commit any sin at all. As " the adulterous woman," of whom Solomon speaks, " eateth, and wipeth her mou…
652 wordsSECTION 266282 Proverbs, Xxviii. 13. [817,
[They " can never prosper." Temporal prosperity they may have as much as others : but in their souls they cannot prosper'^. They cannot in this ivorld. They can have no peace with God or in their own consciences ; for God has said, " There is no peace to the wicked." They can have no victory over sin : for God wi…
300 wordsSECTION 267284 Proverbs, Xxviii. 13. [817.
we to rest in mere general acknowledgments : we should search out our sins : we should say, " Thus and thus have I done." We should go farther, and enter into the particular aggrava- tions of our sins, in order the more deeply to affect our own hearts, and to fill our minds with self-lothing and self- abhorrence. …
483 wordsSECTION 268817.] True Repentance Recommended. ^85
and misery: but " as soon as he began to confess his sins unto the Lord, the Lord forgave the iniquity of his sin'J." And need we say what " mercy" God will vouchsafe to penitents in the last day? Surely all the manifestations of his love which he gives to them in this world, are but as a twmkling star compared wi…
388 wordsSECTION 269The Portion Of The Faithful Man.
Prov. xxviii. 20. A faithful man shall abound ivith blessings. ST. PAUL has told us, that " the love of money is the root of all evil : and that many, whilst coveting after it, have pierced themselves through with many sorrows ^" In truth, the effects of this principle on the persons in whom it dwells, and on all …
342 wordsSECTION 270818.1 The Portion Of The Faithful Man, 287
if a man be faithful to his convictions respecting these things, we may justly call him a faithful man ; but, if he neglect God, and pour contempt upon the Lord Jesus, and disregard his eternal interests, and labour in every possible way to silence the remonstrances of his own conscience, is he faithful ? No, inde…
434 wordsSECTION 271288 Proverbs, Xxviii. 20. [818.
I describe these blessings? "In God's favour is life; and his loving-kindness is better than life itself <^" — As for the testimony of our own conscience, and the witness of God's Spirit with ours, that we are upright before him, man can have no greater joy on earth than thaf^ And who can adequately declare the bl…
432 wordsSECTION 272Self-Confidence Reproved.
Prov. xxviii. 26. He lliat trusteth in his own heart is a fool. THE Holy Scriptures speak plainly, and without reserve : they know nothing of that squeamish deli- cacy that keeps men from designating things by their appropriate names : they declare sin to be sin, and folly to be folly, without considering what the…
345 wordsSECTION 273290 Proverbs, Xxviii. 26. [819.
Some, however, will admit the Scriptures to be the only true standard of religious sentiment : but then they suppose them- selves to be perfectly equal to the task of extracting from them the mind of God. They feel no need of divine teaching : they are unconscious of the blindness of their minds, and of the bias t…
447 wordsSECTION 274819.] Self-Confidence Reproved. 291
If we succeeded in effecting our own deliverance, we should *' burn incense to our own net," and ascribe all the glory to ourselves. But God has warned us, that, if we provoke him thus to jealousy, we shall lose the benefits which, by trusting in him, we might have obtained ; and bring on ourselves the very evils …
490 wordsSECTION 275592 Proverbs, Xxviii. 26. [819.
his persuasion, in spite of all the admonitions that can be given him. The Rich Man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, would have deemed any one very uncharitable who should have warned him of his approach- ing end. He would have found an abundance to allege in his own defe…
503 wordsSECTION 276820.] Danger Of Obstinacy In Sin. 293
SO fearful of its delusions, that you determine never to take its report of any thing without comparing it with the sacred records, and imj^loring direction from God that you may not err. And be assured, that, till you are brought to renounce all dependence on yourselves, and to depend only on the Lord, you are not…
315 wordsSECTION 277294 Proverbs, Xxix. 1. [820.
Prov. xxix. 1. He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly he destroyed, and that tvithout remedy. AWFUL, most awful, is this declaration ; yet is it most salutary, and worthy of the deepest attention. Many indeed imagine that it is suited only to the dispensation of the Law : but it is no les…
537 wordsSECTION 278820.J Danger Of Obstinacy In Sin. 295
" Repent ? " Who has not felt many checks of conscience, when lie was tempted to commit iniquity ? These have been no other than the motions of God's Holy Spirit within us, testifying against sin, and inviting us to serve our God*".] But against his reproofs how often have we " har- dened our necks !" [Many will …
494 wordsSECTION 279296 Proverbs, Xxix. 1. [820.
Are you dying daily to the world, and living altogether as pil- grims and sojourners here, having your conversation in heaven, and looking forward to the second advent of your Lord as the consummation and completion of your bliss ? If you be not thus brought to live unto your God, you have not yet complied with hi…
448 wordsSECTION 280820.1 Danger Of Obstinacy In Sin. 297
bodily health many arc given over to final impenitence, so that the ministry of the word serves only to harden them, and the Gospel itself becomes to them only " a savour of deaths" God gives them over to judicial blindness, and leaves them to harden themselves in order to their more aggravated condem- nation. Thu…
467 wordsSECTION 281298 Proverbs, Xxix. 18. [821.
tiie counsels of your friends, and the admonitions of your mi- nisters, what will be your reflections in the last day : when you call to mind the instructions once given by your parents, the advice offered by some pious friend or relative, the warn- ings delivered by God's servants in the public assembly, how dist…
310 wordsSECTION 282822.] The Fear Of Man. 299
Prov. xxix. 18. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Laiv, happy is he^. THROUGHOUT the whole Scriptures, we have one unvaried testimony respecting man. We see, in every part, I. The deplorable state of those who know not the Gospel — Revelations to the prophets were often made in…
346 wordsSECTION 283300 Proverbs, Xxix. 25. [822.
Prov. xxix. 25. The fear of man hringeth a snare ; hut tvhoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. OUR blessed Lord, at the very first introduction of his religion into the world, told his followers, that he was not come to send peace on earth, but a sword, and to set at variance with each other the neares…
523 wordsSECTION 284^22.1 "The Fear Of Man. 301
tliinlc for themselves, or act for themselves, according to the convictions of their own minds. They take not their faith and practice from the Scriptm'es of Truth, bvit from a standard which obtains among them, and from which they are afraid to deviate. Who would think that Peter himself, bold and intre- pid as h…
458 wordsSECTION 285,302 Proverbs, Xxix. 25. [822.
There is nothing but a regard to God himself that can ever overcome the fear of man : on which account our blessed Lord says, " Fear not man, who can only- kill the body, and after that hath no more that he can do ; but fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell''." The same truth is suggested in my text,…
447 wordsSECTION 286822.] The Fear Of Man. 303
glory is ever in his view ; and he knows the condition on which alone it will be bestowed : we must " be liiithful unto death, if ever we would obtain a crown of life." Hence he finds no difficulty in renouncing all that the world can give, and in en- during all that the most bitter persecutors can inflict; because…
491 wordsSECTION 287Dcccxxiii.
inquire into the state of those who uphold each other in iniquity, we shall find that no one of them has peace in his own soul : for, how sliould they have peace who seek their happiness in the world rather than in God ? Compare, then, your state with tlieirs ; and you will have reason to bless God, even though the…
838 wordsSECTION 288306 Proverbs, Xxx. 1, 2. [823.
painful consequences of his licentious habits, the libertine can scarcely avoid those reflections which Solomon represents as arising in his mind : " Thou wilt mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the …
859 wordsSECTION 289308 Proverbs, Xxx. 1, 2. [82-3.
e 2 Cor. vii. 11. f Ps. Ixxiii. 3, 17, 22. s Phil. iii. 0. ^ Ps. cxix. 96. i Rom. vii. 9. k job ix. 2, 3. 1 Ezek. xxxvi. 31. motes in the air. But would he then conclude that all the dust and dirt which he now beheld had been cast in since his first entrance? No: he would know to what he must ascribe the change …
752 wordsSECTION 290Understand,
After viewing this subject, we shall be at no loss to 1. Whence it is that saints are often dejected in their minds — [None are at all times alike joyful. St. Paul says, that " they who have the first-fruits of the Spirit," no less than others, sometimes "groan within themselves, being burthenedi." And so it ough…
278 wordsSECTION 291310 Proverbs, Xxx. 1, 2. [823.
And therefore the Apostle, after the lamentation just men- tioned, adds, " I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord'." Let not this, tlien, prove a stumbling-block to any : nor let it be supposed, that, because a pious person uses, in reference to himself, terms which a worldly person would not deign to use, he …
512 wordsSECTION 292Dcccxxiv.
agur's wish. Prov. XXX. 7 — 9. Two things have I required of thee ; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from vie vanity and lies; give me 7ieither poverty nor riches ; feed me ivith food convenient for me : lest I he full, and deity thee, and say. Who is the Lord? or lest I he poar, and steal, and take the n…
326 wordsSECTION 293312 Proverbs, Xxx. 7—9. [824.
Agur doubtless beheld them in this view, and therefore rather deprecated them as evils, than desired them as objects of his ambition.] 2. A mediocrity of state and condition — [He did not, through a dread of wealth, desire to be reduced to poverty : he wished rather to stand at an equal distance from each extreme…
722 wordsSECTION 294The Self-Deceiver Exposed.
2. Watchfulness against our besetting sins — [Every situation of life has its peculiar temptations. Youth or age, liealth or sickness, riches or poverty have their respec- tive snares. It is our wisdom to stand on our guard against the difficulties to which we are more immediately exposed"; and rather to seek for …
521 wordsSECTION 295825.] The Self-Deceiver Exposed. 315
But he " is not washed from his filthiness" — [Much fihhiness there is in the heart of every man hy na- ture ; and there is a filthiness which every person may properly call his own, as being congenial with his own feelings, and particularly connected with his own character. With the character before us there is a…
449 wordsSECTION 296316 Proverbs, Xxx. 12. [825.
conformed to it, to its maxims, its habits, its spirit, and its com- pany. Of the true Christian, our Lord says, *' Ye are not of this world, even as I am not of the world :" but of the almost Christian, the very reverse is true : he strives to reconcile the inconsistent services of God and Mammon : and if this can…
470 wordsSECTION 297825.] The Self-Deceiver Exposed. 317
false and dishonest, impure and sensual, yea, and grossly defec- tive in all the duties of their place and station ? Truly, of all the people belonging to the generation spoken of in our text, these are in the greatest danger, because their confidence is 111"! founded in the idea, that they have already bathed in …
472 wordsSECTION 298Usefulness Of Schools Of Industry.
to the Divine image, than they once did even for the grossest sins. To you then, dearly Beloved, I would address myself in the language of consolation and encouragement. It is well that you see and lament your vileness, provided you make it only an occasion of humiliation, and not of despon- dency. The more lowly …
354 wordsSECTION 299826.] Usefulness Of Schools Of Industry. 319
[She rises early ^ : and when occasion requires, goes late to rest*'. She encourages industry in her dependents •', and sets them an example of it herself*', willingly ^, regularly *^, without regarding fatigue ''.] 2. Her prudence — [She sells the produce of her labour ', and lays out her money with judgment for…
388 wordsSECTION 300320 Proverbs, Xxxi. 10. [826.
of their class are destitute. Their decent appearance will pro- cure them respect, and redound to her praise "". Her children will love and honour her, and hless God on her account y. Her husband will delight in her himself, and make his boast of her to others ==. They will all esteem her as a rich and continued s…
387 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.