PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 7 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 280,193 words · 586 reading sections
The Vanity Of The Creature.
ungodly. Some have a fear that persons may he wanted for agricultural work ; but there will always be found many who stand in need of employment.] 2. Among the poor — [These are tmivilling to forego the immediate earnings of their children. But in a little time they will earn much more than they now do. They will…
457 wordsSECTION 302827.] The Vanity Of The Creature. 32',]
of pleasure, riches, and honour, as also its more refined attainments of wisdom and knowledge. And all of them, without exception, are vanity; 1. In their acquisition — [It is not without great labour and toil that earthly dis- tinctions are obtained. The merchant, the warrior, the phi- losopher will bear record,…
409 wordsSECTION 303324 Ecclesiastes, I. 2. [827.
[Here it is that the vanity of earthly things pre-eminently appears. For in what respect can they advance our eternal happiness ? Would to God that they did not so generally and so fatally obstruct it ! Truly, " neither riches nor honours can profit us in the day of wrath." With our holy and heavenly Judge " there…
420 wordsSECTION 304827.1 The Vanity Of The Creature. 325
because we shall make it the means of benefiting our fellow- creatures, and of honouring our God. If, on the other hand, we have little of this world, we shall still be happy ; because, in having God for our portion, we can lack nothing. There are but two lessons for the Christian to learn : the one is, to enjoy G…
462 wordsSECTION 305The Creature Is Vanity And Vexation.
But, in our present state, this is in reality a benefit ; for, if it were not so, we should be ready to take up our rest in this world, instead of seeking " that which remaineth for us" in the world to come. Troubles serve to bring us nigh to God for the supports and consolations which we stand in need of. And sha…
397 wordsSECTION 306828.] The Creature Is Vanity And Vexation. 327
any other human being. As a king, he had the wealth of a nation at his command. As endued with a greater measure of wisdom than all other men, he could com- bine all kinds of intellectual pleasure with that which was merely sensual. As having a peaceful reign, he was free from all the alarms and disquietudes of wa…
466 wordsSECTION 307S28 Ecclesiastes, I. 14, 15. [828.
from producing the same emotions in the soul : by use and habit we become indifferent to the very things which once we most ardently affected: so poor, so empty, so transient is all that passes under the semblance and the name of pleasure. We may say therefore of "all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, t…
458 wordsSECTION 308828.J The Creature Is Vanity And Vexation. 329
strongly illustrating the foregoing truth ; namely, that, however much we may exert ourselves, 1. We cannot alter that which is unfavourable — [Every man, by the very constitution of his nature, is dependent on his fellow-man for the greater portion of his happiness. The welfare of a whole empire depends on the w…
464 wordsSECTION 309330 Ecclesiastes, I. 14, 15. [828.
[The rich, the poor, the old, the young, the learned, the unlearned, all without exception, find that there is much lacking, to render them completely happy. Of those who possess most of this world's good, it must be said, " In the fulness of their sufficiency they are in straits'^." Solomon is a remarkable exampl…
491 wordsSECTION 310829.] The Emptiness Of Worldly Mirth. 331
2. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ with your whole hearts — [He is a portion in which you will never find any lack : in him is a fulness sufficient to fill all the capacities, and satisfy all the desires of the whole universe. MiUions and millions of innnortal souls may go to that fountain, and never diminish his exha…
287 wordsSECTION 311332 Ecclesiastes, Ii. 2. [829.
Eccl. ii. 2. / said of laughter, It is mad : and of mirth, What doeth it? WHO is it that has ventured to speak thus respect- ing that which constitutes, in the world's estimation, the great happiness of life ? Was he an ignorant man ? or one who from envy decried a thing which he was not able to attain ? or an in…
485 wordsSECTION 312829.1 The Emptiness Of Worldly Mirth. 333
gaiety of the human mind, but only to direct it towards proper objects, and to restrain it within proper bounds. The ways of religion are represented as " ways of pleasantness and peace." And " the fruits of the Spirit are, love, joy, peace ;" all of which suppose a measure of hilarity, and the innocence of that hi…
473 wordsSECTION 313334 Ecclesiastes, 11. 2. ' [829.
it be which calls forth their mirth and laughter, it is equally unprofitable and equally insane. So Solomon judged ; and] We now proceed — II. To confirm his testimony — Let us take a candid view of this matter : let us consider pleasure in its true light : let us consider its aspect on us, 1. As men — [As men,…
425 wordsSECTION 314829. J The Emptiness Of Worldly Mirth. 335
rending cry, " My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" See the sun himself veiling his face in darkness, and the Lord of glory bowing his head in death : and then tell me, whether you feel much disposition for mirth and laughter ? or whether such a state of mind would become you? Methinks, I need add no more. …
468 wordsSECTION 315The Excellency Of Wisdom.
live nigh to God, and in sweet communion with your Lord and Saviour : for if you draw back from God in secret, you will, in respect of happiness, be in a worse condition than the world themselves : for whilst you deny yourselves the pleasure which you might have in carnal things, you will have no real pleasure in …
351 wordsSECTION 316830.] The Excellency Of Wisdom. 33
his fellows. The cultivation of it is more suited to the dignity of man than the gratification of his sensual appetites ; in all of which the beasts have as large a capacity of enjoyment as he. The pleasures arising from it are also less apt to cloy ; and will endure, when a taste for other enjoyments is passed aw…
366 wordsSECTION 317338 Ecclesiastes, 11. 13. [830.
I. Its own proper character — *' Wisdom" is another word for piety — [Piety in the Scriptures is frequently called by this name. Job says, " The fear of the Lord that is wisdom*^." And Moses prays, " So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom*^." But, not to rest in a mere general de…
494 wordsSECTION 318830.] Tiir Excellency Of Wisdom. 339
fai' as liglit excelleth darkness?" " Darkness" hath nothing whatever to commend it : it is utterly destitute of every good quality: whereas " light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun*^." And precisely thus does piety approve itself to every beholder ; whilst a neglect of God prese…
473 wordsSECTION 319340 Ecclesiastes, Ii. 13. [830.
But let us trace " wisdom" yet further, III. In its effects upon the eternal world — [It is here that the great excellence of wisdom will be chiefly found. If there were no future state, folly might, with some semblance of truth, compete with wisdom, because its gratifications are so strong to the organs of sense.…
449 wordsSECTION 320The Different Portions Of The Righteous And Wicked.
will believe iter not'. Will you then go contrary to the con- victions of your own minds, in compliment to an ungodly world? Or will you, for fear of oft'ending them, sacrifice the interests of your immortal souls ? I call upon you to seek " wisdom, which is more to be chosen than fine gold''." Let your whole life…
367 wordsSECTION 321312 Ecclesiastes, It. 2G. [831.
I. The different portions of the righteous and the wicked — The world may be divided into two denominations ; the righteous, and the wicked. " To the righteous, God gives wisdom, and know- ledge, and joy" — [As to carnal wisdom, I am not sure that the wicked have not in general the advantage ; as it is said, " T…
469 wordsSECTION 322831. J The Portions Of The Righteous And Wicked. 343
wind ? All liis days he eatetli in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness^." Thus, whilst the blessing of the Lord is upon the righteous, seeing that, whatever he bestow, " he addeth no sorrow with it';" he mixes gall and wormwood with the sinner's cup, and " infuses a curse into his choices…
472 wordsSECTION 323314 Ecclesiastes, 11. 26. [831.
more shall that be found in the day which is especially set apart for the display of God's righteous judgments. The Prophet Isaiah, as God's herald, received this awful commission : " Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. But woe unto the wicked ! i…
493 wordsSECTION 324Duty Of Paying Our Vows.
Eccl. V. 4, 5, When thou voioest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it ; for he hath no pleasure in fools : pay that which thou hast voiced. Better is it that thou shouldest not voio, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. THE offering of vows was extremely common under the Mosaic dispensation ; and many laws wer…
357 wordsSECTION 325346 Ecclesiastes, V, 4,5. [832.
miglitily to God for grace to assist us in the performance of them: for "who is sufficient for these things^?" ] But the duties to which they bind us are highly reasonable — [We universally consider children as bound to obey their parents, and servants their masters : but what parent has such a claim upon us as G…
479 wordsSECTION 326832.] Duty Of Paying Our Vows. 347
to create obligations which did not exist before, but to impress your own minds with a sense of those duties which are indis- solubly connected with every child of man.] But to bind ourselves to these things by solemn vows is a duty truly and properly evangelical — [Some would imagine this to be a legal act : and …
417 wordsSECTION 327348 Ecclesiastes, V. 4, 5. [832.
their hearts," and " fill them with a peace that passeth under- standing, and joy that is unspeakable," we can have no doubt but that religion's ways are ways of pleasantness," and that " in keeping God's commandments there is great reward." In proof of this, we need only see with what delight David con- templated…
489 wordsSECTION 328832.] Duty Of Paying Our Vows. 349
made to the Most High God ! But we need not collect this in a way of inference ; for God himself has expressly told us, that we vmst pay our vows to him ; that we must do it ivithoiit delay ; that if we defer to pay them, it will be imputed to us as a most heinous sin; and that he will surely require it at our han…
496 wordsSECTION 329The House Of Mourning To Be Preferred.
would rather he alarmed than comforted, and would exert their influence to divert his thout>ht.s from such ways. But beware how any of you jDut a stumbling-block in the way of your children, either by your influence or example. Beware how, after having instigated them to vow unto the Lord, you tempt them to fcn-ge…
406 wordsSECTION 330833.1 The House Of Mourning To He Pkeferred. 351
hension of mankind ? Is there not, on the contrary, something in them extremely paradoxical, and, at first sight, almost absm'd ? Yet are these sentiments un- questionably true, as are those also which my text records : '' The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house o…
421 wordsSECTION 331352 Ecclesiastes, Vil 4. [Sss.
his chastening rod from us, and to make us his honoured instruments of imparting comfort to our afflicted brethren. This also, though not attended with any ebulHtion of joy, is a very sublime and delightful feeling ; not unlike to that of Joseph, when his bowels yearned upon his brother Benjamin, and a prospect wa…
483 wordsSECTION 332833.] The House Of Mourning To Be Freferred. 353
Another reason is, that the fool there finds what is most gra- tifying to his corrupt taste. One has an appetite for conviviality and licentiousness : another affects the more decent gratifica- tions of music, and dancing, and such like : another, more elevated in the scale of being, desires rather the intellectual…
460 wordsSECTION 333354 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 4. [833.
1. To be on our guard against acquiescing too easily in popular opinions — [From the positions which we have just considered, the carnal mind revolts. Yet, not only are these positions con- firmed by our blessed Lord, but they are expressed by him in far stronger terms than by Solomon himself. " Blessed are ye po…
461 wordsSECTION 334833.] The House Of Mourning To Be Preferred. 355
3. To examine well the tendencies and inclinations of our hearts — [In the prospect of death and judgment, men may be led to adopt sentiments which they do not cordially approve, and to follow a conduct in which they have no delight. I ask not, then, what you either say or do under such circumstances. I ask not w…
523 wordsSECTION 335356 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 10. [834.
in apprehending' the true import of my text, nor any doubt upon our minds, which of the two objects before us should be preferred. Let this i)reference, then, be seen in the whole of of our life and conversation. I say not, that we should never (JO to " the house of mirth ;" but only that, our heart should not he …
326 wordsSECTION 336834. J Contentment Recommended. 357
Eccl. vii. 10. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days icere better than these"? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. IN the writings of Solomon we find many maxims, which, if uttered by an miinspired man, would be con- troverted ; but to which, as suggested by inspiration from God, we s…
589 wordsSECTION 337358 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 10. [834.
if we go back to every preceding generation, we shall find the same complaints respecting the deterioration of the times : but we shall never arrive at that time, when the people confessed themselves to be in that exalted state in which our imaginations place them. Certainly, if ever there was a time and a place th…
463 wordsSECTION 338Contentment Recommended. 359
834.] of all that is good amongst us, and such the efforts making to extend it over the face of the whole earth, that, instead of look- ing to former times as better than our own, we may rather hail the approach of the millennial period, when the Messiah him- self shall reign, and diffuse peace and happiness over …
473 wordsSECTION 339360 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 12. [835.
2. Let us seek that which will render all times and seasons happy — [Religion is a cure and antidote to every ill, whether of a public or private nature. Amongst those who were endued with piety in the Apostolic age, you find none who were " murmurers and complainers." Their habit of mind is better expressed by t…
256 wordsSECTION 340835. J The Excellency Of Spiritual Wisdom. 361
Eccl. vii. 12. Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence : hut the excellency of knoivledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. TO have our minds well regulated in reference to religion, is most desirable. There is, in reality, no discordance between the duties which we owe to God and to man; or b…
568 wordsSECTION 341362 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 12. [835.
the heat of the atmosplicre. But, as a shadow, they may screen us from much evil, and alleviate many pains which they cannot entirely ward off.] But wisdom has an excellency far above money — [Wisdom is more our oivn than money, which soon " makes itself wings and flies away." In many respects, also, has it a te7…
436 wordsSECTION 342835.] The Excellency Of Spiritual Wisdom. 363
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and right- eousness in the earth ^." Here is a spiritual wisdom spoken of, which infinitely exceeds all that the wisest or richest of unenlightened men can possess. To make this clear, let it be remembered, 1. A man may po…
386 wordsSECTION 343364 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 12. [835-
Moses, also, who liad attained all the learning of the Egyptians, and was next in power to the king upon the throne, regarded it all as unworthy of a thought, not only for the crown of Christ, but in comparison of his cross; "esteeming the re- proach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt •." Yes…
465 wordsSECTION 344Against An Over-Righteous Spirit.
any department of science, Strive to excel in it : " Whatever your liand findeth to do, do it with all your might p." The point on which I would entertain a jealousy is, " the placing of your affections on any thing here below ; for they are to be reserved exclusively for things above i." But I am aware that there…
387 wordsSECTION 345366 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 16. [836.
people suffering even unto death for righteousness sake ; and, many wicked people, whose lives were justly forfeited, eluding, either through force or fraud, the punishment they deserved. From hence he takes occasion to caution both the righteous and the wicked ; the righteous, ver. 16, not to bring trouble on the…
408 wordsSECTION 346836.] Against An Over-Righteous Spirit. 367
wish to see us much occupied ; they would rather that we should put our light under a bushel. But no inspired writer would ever caution us against excess in such things as these. St. Paul makes the pro^^er distinction between the regard which we should shew to carnal and to spiritual objects : " Be not drunk with …
488 wordsSECTION 347368 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 16. [836.
the most upright persons need to be cautioned against it, because there is not any thing more destructive in its issue. It deprives us of all the benefit of whatever good we do ; yea, it makes even the death of Christ of no effect 'i : we can never therefore be too strongly guarded against it. We may have much zea…
434 wordsSECTION 348836.] Against An Over-Righteous Spirit. 369
wild iiicoiisiderate regard for religion. We ought to exercise a sound judgment in all things. " I, Wisdom," says Solomon, " dwell with Prudence*." There is certainly much room for discretion in the performance of our duty even towards God himself. We may so reprove a fault as to harden those whom we endeavour to …
489 wordsSECTION 349Dcccxxxvii.
By this you will be kept from the vmdue bias of fleshly wisdom, and from consulting with flesh and blood ; by this you will be enabled to maintain your conversation in the world with " sim- plicity and godly sincerity." Cultivate this, and the path of duty will be clear : cultivate this, and you will never lose the…
775 wordsSECTION 350372 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 29. [837.
Had man continued thus, the whole creation would have retained its original constitution. But man fell ; and brought a curse upon the whole world''; every thing more or less participating in, b Gen. i, 26, 27. ^ Gen. iii. 17. II. His obli([uity, as deformed by sin — Man, through the instigation of Satan, desired …
715 wordsSECTION 351372 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 29. [837.
3. How to hide from themselves their own de- formity— [One would suppose that the impiety of this conduct should appear at once to every man who is capable of the least reflec- tion. But men contrive, by various arts, to hide it from them- selves. They, in the first place, determinately " call evil good, and good…
276 wordsSECTION 352374 Ecclesiastes, Vii. 29. [837.
exposed, and of the persons who were their associates in ini- quity. Thus, as our first parents sought " to hide their naked- ness by fig-leaves*," so do all men by nature strive, by every device they can think of, to hide from themselves, and from each other, their real state.] 4. How to persuade themselves that …
858 wordsSECTION 353Dcccxxxviii.
you in the Son of his love If however, after careful self-examination, you have an evidence of a work of grace u^Jon your souls, then press forward for the attainment of more grace, and for a more perfect restoration to the divine image. If you do this in earnest, then even this present world will be less a scene …
654 wordsSECTION 354378 Ecclesiastes, Viii. 12. [839.
2. That there is no " sentence " gone forth against it — [Men would gladly persuade themselves that they have no cause to fear. The temptation whereby the serpent beguiled Eve is cherished by them ^. But the wrath of God is indeed denounced against sin'. Every species and degree of sin ren- ders us obnoxious to hi…
492 wordsSECTION 355839. J The Blessedness Of Fearing God. 379
Eccl. viii. 12. Surely I know that it shall he well with them which fear God. NOTHING certain can be determined respecting God's favour from the outward dispensations of his providence ^ The wicked seem on the whole to a Eccl. ix. 1, prosper more than others'"; nevertheless the godly are by far the happier perso…
416 wordsSECTION 356380 Ecclesiastes, Viii. 12. [839.
the Gospel P. The hypocritical professor has never mortifietl his besetting sin^. It is the person alone, ivho fears God, that unites in his experience a dread of God's wrath, an affiance in Christ, and a love to the commandments.] Such persons, notwithstanding appearances, are truly blessed. II. In what respects…
366 wordsSECTION 357839.] The Blessedness Of Fearing God. 381
innumerable ; we shall however confine ourselves to three : 1. The fitness of things requires it — [No man can seriously think that there is one portion to the righteous and the wicked : there is no well-ordered government on earth where this is the case ; much less can we suppose it possible in the divine govern…
405 wordsSECTION 358Rate Men.
happiness. But does the boldest shiner dare affirm that he knotvs it shall be well with him ? His conscience would in- stantly revolt at such falsehood and blasphemy. Let those then, that fear not God, stand self-condemned. Let them flee unto their God and Saviour with penitence and faith. Let them so live as to p…
712 wordsSECTION 359384 Ecclesiastes, Ix. 10. [841.
Infer — 1. How necessary is it to deal faithfully with the souls of men ! [Should we " prophesy smooth things " unto people who are perishing in their sins, and who before another Sabbath may be "gone to the dead?" Should we, if we beheld a stranded vessel, seek to amuse the sailors, instead of afforchng them di…
422 wordsSECTION 360841.] Earnestness In Religion Recommended. 385
Eccl. ix. 10. Whatsoever thy hand Jindeth to do, do it tvith thy might ; for there is no work, nor device, nor knoivledge, nor ivisdom, in the grave whither thou goest. THE greater part of mankind imagine, that a con- tinued round of worldliness and pleasure will consist with religion. But their opinion is contrad…
440 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.