PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 7 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 280,193 words · 586 reading sections
869.1 Believers Are For Signs And Wonders. 519
opprobrious, for the purpose of characterizing his faithful disciples.] This statement being still as true as in the pro- phet's days, I will proceed, II. To point out its aspect on the parties concerned — Truly its aspect is very different, 1. On those who account the saints to be " for signs and for wonders" —…
439 wordsSECTION 482Seeking After God.
weight of glory is preparing for you"? Then, again I say, Rejoice. But particularly bear in mind what was before spoken respecting our blessed Saviour's acknowledgment of those who thus serve him with fidelity : even in the presence of his Father will he confess them, as partakers of his nature, and as heirs of hi…
348 wordsSECTION 483870.J Seeking After God. 521
as those of Israel in the wilderness, can he not supply them*'? Search the annals of the world, and find one, if you can, " who ever sought his face in vain^" ] 4. Will it not, hereafter, be to you a ground of bitter self-reproach, if you neglect to seek him ? [Our Lord will surely say to you at the last day, " Ho…
411 wordsSECTION 484Blessings Imparted By The Gospel.
Isai. ix. 2 — 4. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, arid not increased the joy : they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, arid as men rejoice xvhen they divide…
368 wordsSECTION 485871.]] Blessings Imparted By The Gospel. 523
[This was the case with the Jews, notwithstanding they were God's professing people, and had continual access to the word and ordinances of God. And it is the case with us, notwithstanding we are called Christians, and have the word and sacraments administered amongst us. We are like persons immured in a dungeon, …
427 wordsSECTION 486524 Isaiah, Ix. 2—4. [871.
with their friends, rejoice before God^ Thus the Christian brings his temporal comforts into the divine presence, that he may enjoy God both in and with them. By rehgion, all his joys are greatly enhanced; nor does he ever enjoy his food or his friends or any blessing in life so much, as when he is led to God by t…
421 wordsSECTION 487871.] Blessings Imparted By The Gospel. 525
accoutred, he put to flight the whole host of Midian : they brake their pitchers, held forth their lamps, and blew their trum- pets ; and the enemies were put to flight''. Thus, precisely thus, does the Christian triumph over his enemies : unable to accomplish any tiling by his own arm, he, by the mere light and s…
481 wordsSECTION 488Dccclxxii.
Christ's incarnation and character. Isai. ix. 6. U?ito us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the governmejit shall he upon his shoulder: arid his name shall he called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The ever- lasting Father, The Prince of Peace. THERE is no true peace or happiness in the world ex…
748 wordsSECTION 489528 Isaiah, Ix. 6. [872.
3. The everlasting Father — [This title respects not his relation to the Deity (for with respect to that, he is the Son and not the Father) but rather his relation to his spiritual seed, whom he has begotten by his word and Spirit. But perhaps the words should rather have ^ These are by many considered as two dist…
507 wordsSECTION 490Our Impenitence Under The Divine Chastisements.
Isai. ix. 13. T/ie ^^eople turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts. RICH as God is in mercy to repenting sinners, he is full of indignation against the impenitent. Hence his most gracious invitations and promises are often intermixed with the most awful threatenings''. He ha…
379 wordsSECTION 4915S0 Isaiah, Ix. 13. [873.
2. Upon nations — [When a nation is altogether ripe for ruin, God executes vengeance without any view to their reformation ; but till then he will continue to correct them with much long-suffering and forbearance. The ten successive plagues of Egypt were sent to overcome their obstinacy. The Israelites, both in th…
420 wordsSECTION 492873.] Impenitence Under Divine Chastisements. 531
to receive correction ; nor will they cry when God binds them^. Nor is this peculiar to any one order of people more than another* : some are presumptuously boasting of our power to withstand the arm of God"; others, of whom better things might have been hoped, refuse to unite even in the outward services of this …
438 wordsSECTION 493532 Isaiah, X. 1^—17. [874.
[We have most abundant evidence of this delightful truth. The repentance of Nineveh is a standing encouragement for all nations.^ Even the temporary humiliation of Ahab pre- vailed to defer the impending judgments'^. What then should not be effected if this whole nation turned to God in sincerity ? God would soone…
302 wordsSECTION 494874. J Abasement Of The Assyrian Monarch. 533
Isai. X. 12 — 17. Ii shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his ivhole work upon Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks : for he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prud…
545 wordsSECTION 495534 Isaiah, X. 12—17. [874.
altogether intoxicates us worms of the earth, and makes us forget that we are men*^.] But God brought him down in a most awful manner — [In one single night was his power hroken by the sword of a destroying angel, who slew 185,000 of his troops: and, not very long after, was he himself assassinated by two of his …
421 wordsSECTION 496874.1 Abasement Of The Assyrian Monarch. 535
any one to disseminate. Nay more, by the very miseries which he has inflicted on the human race, he has occasioned a spirit of humihation and of piety, which, unless at the Reformation and in the apostolic age, never before obtained in Europe to the extent it now does. True it is, " he never meant these things, no…
462 wordsSECTION 497536 Isaiah, X. 12—17. [874.
and him in this particular ! His official reports have been one continued boast from beginning to end. Never once has God been acknowledged by him as the disposer of the different events. We wonder not that a heathen should vaunt himself in this manner : but that a man professing himself a Christian should do it, …
503 wordsSECTION 498874.] Abasement Of The Assyrian Monarch. 537
No : he will be a man, and not God, in the hand of him that slayeth him^."] Our text is yet further worthy of attention, III. As speaking to men in all ages — Divested of all those particular circumstances which give it more than ordinary interest at this time, it suggests many lessons of great, and general, and …
450 wordsSECTION 499538 Isaiah, X. 12—17. [874.
purpose''. And scarcely less visible was his agency in the destruc- tion of our great adversary. God allured him into the heart of the Russian empire, and inclined him to continue there, till his retreat was become impracticable : and to a still further infatua- tion did he give him up; for, instead of retreating w…
852 wordsSECTION 500540 Isaiah, Xl 2, 3. [875.
m Ps. Ixxiii. 3—14, 16—20. Christ's qualifications for his office. Isai. xj. 2, 3. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord ; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear o…
828 wordsSECTION 501542 Isaiah, Xi. 2, 3. [875.
Nor (to carry on the metaphor) was he less earnest in follow- ing, than he was acute in discerning, the path of duty. If he had spent the night in prayer, he still prosecuted by day his labours of love, till he was exhausted with fatigue, and his friends declared that his zeal transported him beyond the bounds of …
583 wordsSECTION 502876.1 Change To Be Wrought By The Gospel. 543
their resolution. And to such a degree were their hearts filled with the " love and fear of God," that all sublunary things were divested both of charms and terrors, and the service of God be- came, as it were, the very element in which they breathed. Thus may the most ignorant amongst us have " the eyes of his un…
418 wordsSECTION 503544 Isaiah, Xi. 6—9. [876.
Isai. xi. 6 — 9. The ivolf also shall divell loith the lamb, and the leopard shall lie doivn with the kid ; and the calf and the young lion and the fatli7ig together ; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the hear shall feed ; their young ones shall lie down together : a7id the lion shall eat straw …
422 wordsSECTION 504876. J Change To Be Wrought By The Gospel. 545
malicious, the selfish and covetous workings of the heart, and he shall soon perceive that, if man were unrestrained by human laws, he would prey upon his fellow-man with as much ferocity as the beasts themselves.] But in the latter day universal harmony shall pre- vail— [Then this beautiful description shall be …
421 wordsSECTION 505Vol. Vii. N N
546 ISAIAH, XL G, 9. [87(j. And, wherever it is received, its tendency is the same. It is the rod of God's strength, which brings down every adverse power, and accompHshes for man the salvation of his soul''. It renews all after the same image'; brings all into the same family'^; unites all in the same interests';…
478 wordsSECTION 506The Millennium,
whose lives are thus regulated by the Gospel of Christ*! They have indeed a paradise below ; and shall soon enjoy un- interrupted harmony in heaven".] t Deut. xxxiii. 29. " 1 John i. 3. and iv. 16, 17. Isai. xi. 9. The earth shall he full of the knoivledge of the Lord, as the tvaters cover the sea. THE generality…
364 wordsSECTION 507548 Isaiah, Xl 9. [877.
cautions us against " glorying in any thing, but in the under- standing and knowing of God " as displaying justice and mercy in the person of Christ^. Our Lord himself affirms that, " to know God, and Jesus Christ as sent by him, is life eternal •=." And St. Paul, in his nervous mode of expression, " counts all th…
418 wordsSECTION 508877.] The Millennium. 549
nations':" and, in another Psalm, which is altogether on this subject, he says, " Christ shall have dominion from sea to sea : all kings shall fall down before him ; all nations shall serve him"^." To cite what Isaiah speaks to this effect, would be to repeat whole chapters ^ Jeremiah, confirming at the same time …
503 wordsSECTION 509550 Isaiah, Xl 9. [877.
speak plainly"." In another place the prophet supposes men to have received a stroke or wound upon tlieir eyes, and that, by the heahng of that wound, a vast increase of light shall shine into their minds ; " The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven- fold, as …
491 wordsSECTION 510Christ A Standard For The Gentiles.
of God's dear children. Let such then be thankful for the disthiguished mercies vouchsafed unto them : let them remem- ber that " all things, which pertain unto life and godliness, are communicated to us through the knowledge of Christ^;" and let them seek to " grow both in grace and knowledge," till from " behold…
368 wordsSECTION 511552 Isaiah, Xi. 10. [878.
people ; to it shall the Gentiles seek ; and his rest shall be glorious." Now that this refers to Christ there can be no doubt ; since an inspired Apostle, speaking of Christ as having come in order '^ that the Gentiles should glorify God for his mercy," quotes this very passage ; " Again Esaias saith. There shall…
409 wordsSECTION 512878.] Christ A Standard For The Gentiles. 553
in this, as in common warfare, that they who fight endanger their lives ; and they who stay at home consult their safety : on the contrary, they who fight shall both conquer and live for ever; but they who decline the combat shall assuredly and eternally perish.] Though Christ's advent, in this view of it, appears…
430 wordsSECTION 513554 Isaiah, Xl 10. [878.
David's testimony : and similar expressions did Solomon also use, when he had deposited the ark in the sanctuary of his temple''. But since Christ has come, he has a far nobler rest, even in the bosoms of his obedient people ; a rest, in comparison of which the temple of Solomon in all its glory was perfectly cont…
542 wordsSECTION 514Dccclxxix.
THE believer's SONG. Isai. xii. 1 , 2. In that day thou shalt say, 0 Lord, I loill praise thee : though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not he afraid : for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song ; he also is become my…
294 wordsSECTION 515556 Isaiah, Xii. 1, 2. [879.
to this hour " the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work." Whilst these inferior works unconsciously proclaim his praise, his intelligent creatures more especially engage in this delightful work ; and, so far as they are restored to their original state, account it their highest…
663 wordsSECTION 516556 Isaiah, Xii. 1, 2. [879.
2. In a way of exultation and triumph — [" Behold, God is my salvation ! " says the believing soul. How wonderful a truth ! Methinks, if it were not uttered by the voice of inspiration, one would be almost ready to call it blasphemy. What! Is God, even the Most High God, our salvation ? Yes ; and not our Saviour o…
284 wordsSECTION 517558 Isaiah, Xii. 1, 2. [879.
[Still will lie have many conflicts with his in-dwelling cor- ruptions ; and be constrained, at times, to cry, " O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?"' Satan, too, that great and subtle adversary of God and man, will doubtless assault him with all manner of temptations ; insomuch, that, if God were not …
480 wordsSECTION 518880.] The Wells Of Salvation. 550
and of a sense of God's love shed abroad in his heart, you would account it all enthusiasm and delusion. Say, then, whether you be not in a most deplorable condition ? For, if God's anger be not turned away from you here, do you suppose it shall be in the eternal world ? No, indeed : you will there have to endure …
391 wordsSECTION 519.')G0 Isaiah, Xii. 3. [880.
Isai. xii. 3. With joy shall we draiv water out of the wells of salvation. WE wonder not that the Scriptm'es are read with so little interest by the generality : for, till persons know somewhat of their lost estate, and of the way of salvation provided for them, the Bible is to them a sealed book. But let them on…
683 wordsSECTION 520562 Isaiah, Xii. 3. [880.
3. As actually imparting them to our souls — [As a spring pours forth its waters, so do the Scriptures impart life, and peace, and strength, to all who go to them as God's appointed channel of communication to their souls. They have within themselves a life-giving virtue^; so that, when brought home and applied by…
650 wordsSECTION 521562 Isaiah, Xii. 3. [880.
881.] THE believer's SONG. 563 which he has received will be in him as a well of water spring- ing up into everlasting lifei." I may appeal to all, whether the most copious draughts of carnal pleasure ever satisfied? Solomon, who drank as deep of it as a human being could do, pronounced it all to be vanity and vex…
299 wordsSECTION 5225G4' Isaiah, Xii. 3—6. [881.
THE believer's SONG. Isai. xii. 3 — 6. With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make niention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord ; for he hath done excellent things : this is knoivn …
667 wordsSECTION 5235G4' Isaiah, Xii. 3—6. [881.
From these we may draw water with joy — [Truly there is nothing which can conduce to our salva- tion, which is not to be found in Christ. The water that he will give us will cleanse us at once from all the guilt and defile- ment of sin : it will purify our very nature, so that we shall be renewed after the Divine …
322 wordsSECTION 524566 Isaiah, Xii. 3—6. [881.
rises to the concerns of others, and becomes, as it were, a preacher to all around him. Hence then we see the employment of all true Christians : 1. They glorify God themselves — [The first thought of their hearts is that of humhle gra- titude for the unspeakable mercy of reconciliation with God. They look back, …
677 wordsSECTION 525566 Isaiah, Xii. 3—6. [881.
These are things which are the daily subject of their thoughts, their conversation, and their praise : and in proportion as any are endued with his grace, they will infallibly abound in these holy exercises.] Learn then from hence, 1. How great a matter is the salvation of the soul — [Many think of it as a matter…
279 wordsSECTION 526The Christian Warfare.
this your experience, my beloved Brethren? Does the whole universe appear to you but " as a broken cistern," and is Christ the only fountain from whence you desire to draw? O that you may be able more and more to say, " All my fresh springs are in thee"!"] 3. How happy is the Christian's state — [Doubtless there …
375 wordsSECTION 527882.] The Christian Warfare. 569
Babylonians into captivity ; nor at any subsequent period did they rule over them. But if we understand these words as looking forward to another redemption, then will the}^ be easy; and their accomplishment will be seen, not only in the Church at large, but in every individual member of it. The grace of Christ tr…
440 wordsSECTION 528570 Isaiah, Xiv. 2. [882.
We may observe also, that Satan maintains a tyrannic sway over the natural man, as over his rightful vassal. How he works upon our minds, we cannot exactly say : (for we know not how our own spirit operates upon our material body ; and therefore we must not wonder if we cannot declare how that wicked spirit operat…
473 wordsSECTION 529882.] The Christian Warfare. 571
recollects himself, and adds, " I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."] 4. Of dominion — [This is that state of which the text particularly speaks : and doubtless it is a state to which many attain. That the war- fare will ever cease in this world, we have no reason to expect ; but that our progress will be …
421 wordsSECTION 530572 Isaiah, Xiv. 2. [882.
[We wish not to discourage those who find difficulties in their warfare : but yet we must say, that God does not do his work by halves (if we may so express it). If he begin a good work in any soul, he will not suffer Satan to defeat his purpose. " He will give more and more grace," till it prove effectual to the …
504 wordsSECTION 531Dccclxxxiii. ^
IMMUTABILITY OF GOd's COUNSELS. Isai. xiv. 27. The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it ? and his hand is stretched out, and loho shall turn it hack ? IT is common with the Lord, when predicting dis- tant events, to confirm men in the expectation of them by the accomphshment of something near at…
341 wordsSECTION 532574 Isaiah, Xiv. 27. [883.
it over as if we were afraid of it, or as if we thought the inspired writers had erred in ever bringing it before our eyes. Now that it hes clearly in our way, we will proceed to give it the attention it deserves. We will consider it, I. In a general view — The Scripture continually represents God as having orda…
656 wordsSECTION 533574 Isaiah, Xiv. 27. [883.
It is the iwactical use of this subject that renders it so interesting to the Church of God : and it is in that view only that we wish to impress it on our minds. It is introduced by the prophet in reference to two points : 1. The deliverance of God's people — [The state of the Jews in Babylon was as hopeless as c…
251 wordsSECTION 53457C) Isaiah, Xiv. 27. [883.
his grace*, and bring them to the saving knowledge of his truth". These also will he keep, and not suffer so much as one of them ever to be lost''. For their full and complete salvation God has made abundant provision in his word. If ever they should perish, it must be through their own departure from him, or thro…
727 wordsSECTION 53557C) Isaiah, Xiv. 27. [883.
Reflections — 1. On what a slender foundation are the hopes of the generality fixed ! [A strange idea pervades the great mass of the Christian world, that God will relax somewhat of his demands, and for- bear to act agreeably to the strict tenour of his word : and, when we urge upon their consciences the strictne…
258 wordsSECTION 536Dccclxxxiv.
and holiness, there " remains nothing for you but a fearful look- ing for of judgment and fiery indignation, to consume you'^."] 2. On what an immoveable foundation does the believer stand ; [You are fixed upon a rock, against which the gates of hell shall never prevail. We suppose indeed that you are not affecti…
681 wordsSECTION 537;'>80 Isaiah, Xiv. 32. [884.
The words thus explained we shall consider as pro- claiming, ^ 2 Chron. xxviii. 18. <^ The general interpretation of their being foreign ambassadors sent to congratulate Hezekiah, enervates the whole force of the pas- sage, and is in opposition to the text itself, which speaks of them as the messengers of the nat…
735 wordsSECTION 538;'>80 Isaiah, Xiv. 32. [884.
2. That confidence in him shall never be disap- pointed— [When it is said in our text, " The poor of his people shall trust in it," the meaning evidently is, that by so doing they shall be secure. And certain it is, that " the name of the Lord is a strong tower ; and that the righteous runneth to it and is safe."…
258 wordsSECTION 539582 Isaiah, Xiv. 32. [884.
[Many are the enemies of the Church at this day, as well as in former times : nor were the Philistines half so envious at the prosperity of Zion, as millions of Christians, so called, are at this very hour. But when the Church was in its infancy, and had all the power and policy both of Jews and Gentiles combined …
476 wordsSECTION 540Christ A Great Saviour.
gathered from those records, for your own conduct And know, that God is as ready to " perfect his own strength in your weakness," as he has been in any instance from the foundation of the world Oi^ly I'eaHze the thought of his universal agency in the government of the world, and of his watchful care over the inter…
405 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.