PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 8 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 282,151 words · 604 reading sections
122 Isaiah, Xl. 6—8. [921.
Isai. xl. 6 — 8. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry ? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass ivithereth, the flower fade th : because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth : but …
482 wordsSECTION 122921. J The Immutability Of The Gospel. 123
[In the midst of health we promise ourselves years to come : but, when God withdraws our breath, we instantly return to our native dust. Some look more gay and possess more " goodliness" than others ; but they are only as the " flower of the field," which cannot survive the grass, and not unfrequently falls before…
427 wordsSECTION 123124 Isaiah, Xl. 6—8. [921.
assured that he will fulfil his word : for " he is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man that he should repent." But it may be said, " Though God changeth not, yet we change, and therefore may forfeit our interest in the promises." True ; if God should leave us, we not only may, but most undoubtedly shall…
479 wordsSECTION 124Dccccxxii.
the Messiah's advent. Isai. xl. 9. Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God. THE Gospel with all its sublime mysteries is re- garded by the generality with coldness and indiffer- ence ; whereas the most indistinct prospects of it were sufficient to fill the patriarchs and prophets with holy rapture. It was a…
379 wordsSECTION 12512G Isaiah, Xl. 9. [922.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord (Jehovah) make straight in the desert an high-way for our GoD.d But we need not multiply words on this subject, since the voice of inspiration universally proclaims him to have been, " God manifest in the flesh," " God over all, blessed for evere." 2. That the knowledge of Christ is …
706 wordsSECTION 1261528 Isaiah, Xl. 11. [923.
3. As exalted to glory — [Hitherto we have witnessed nothing but his humiliation ; but the shame of his cross was quickly rolled away. In vain were the stone, the seal, the watch: he burst the bands of death, and rose triumphant. Henceforth we are to view him ascending amidst myriads of exulting angels, sitting on…
573 wordsSECTION 127Dccccxxiii.
Christ's care for his sheep. Isai. xl. 11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd : he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom; and shall gently lead those that are with young. THE holy Psalmist, speaking of Jehovah's care of him, says, " The Lord is my Shepherd:" and then, 923. J Christ…
439 wordsSECTION 128130 Isaiah, Xl. 11. [923.
1. He gathers them to his fold — [They are " wandering upon the dark mountains, in a cloudy and dark day'1 ;" "every one going in Ms own way6," and " after the imaginations of his own heartf " The paths of all, though differing from each other according as the age, the inclinations, and the diversified temptations…
747 wordsSECTION 129132 Isaiah, Xl. 11. [923.
2. His compassion to the afflicted — [He will have respect to the state of his flock, even as Jacob had, who " would not overdrive them one day, lest they should all dieb." So our blessed Lord " will gently lead that which is with young." There are amongst his people many who are weary and heavy-laden with a sense…
653 wordsSECTION 130The Desponding Encouraged.
m John x. 3. ° John x. 9. ° Rev. vii. 17. P John x. 5, 9, 16. Isai. xl. 27 — 31. Why say est thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My zvay is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God ? Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the…
362 wordsSECTION 131134 Isaiah, Xl. 27—31. [924.
me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure ! for thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones, because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head ; as an heavy burthen, …
491 wordsSECTION 132The Desponding Encouraged. 135
924.] cursed the day of their birth ; and the latter, scarcely less excusable, prayed impatiently to God to " take away his life," in order to liberate him from his troubles'1. Even the Saviour himself, in his afflictions, adopted the language of the Psalmist, " My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me? Why art …
451 wordsSECTION 133136 Isaiah, Xl. 27—31. [924.
we forget that he has gracious designs to accomplish ; and that he accomplishes them in ways of which we have no concep- tion, and which appear calculated only to defeat his ends. We measure his wisdom by the scanty line of our own reason; forgetting that " his ways are in the great deep," and " past finding out "…
449 wordsSECTION 134924.] The Desponding Encouraged. 137
no might he increaseth strength." This, I say, is his habit and delight : and one great end of his delaying the communica- tions of his aid is, to make men more sensible of their depend- ence on him, and more thankful for his gracious interpositions. Till he vouchsafe his answers to prayer, all human efforts are v…
462 wordsSECTION 135The Weak Believer Comforted.
not all the powers of earth or hell can prevail against you, if only, in the exercise of faith and patience, you wait on God. Take courage, then, and call yourselves to an account, as David did, for such unworthy fears and such unhallowed depression : " Why art thou cast down, O my soul ! and why art thou dis- qui…
402 wordsSECTION 136925.] The Weak Believer Comforted. 139
This is the primary import of our text. But, when we recollect, that there is a spiritual idolatry still prevalent, and that there still exists the same contest between Jehovah and the votaries of this present world, and that his faithful servants are still greatly obstructed in their ways, and painfully persecute…
419 wordsSECTION 137140 Isaiah, Xli. 10. [925.
the one striving by the violence of its in-dwelling lusts, and the other by the subtlety of his devices, to draw him back into that state of guilt and bondage from which he has just escaped a Such enemies, so numerous, so subtle, so inveterate, the Christian scarcely knows how to encounter : and the thought of th…
457 wordsSECTION 138925.] The Weak Believer Comforted. 111
obviated in our text, in which all their fears are antici- pated, and their wants supplied. God promises them, 1. His presence — [Were we left in the power of our enemies without any friend at hand to help us, we might well fear. But God says to the trembling soul, " Fear not ; for I am with thee." Now if but a f…
458 wordsSECTION 139142 Isaiah, Xli. 10. [925.
language of the prophet, " Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust and not be afraid ; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song: he also is become my salvation g." Yes; the veriest stripling, with his sling and his stone, may go forth against all the Goliaths in the universe, assured of victory : for " h…
465 wordsSECTION 140926.] The Worm Threshing The Mountains. 143
[" I, even I, am he that comforteth you : Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be as grass ; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker; and fearest every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy ? and where is the fury of the …
334 wordsSECTION 141114 Isaiah, Xll 14—16. [926.
Isai. xli. 14 — 16. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel ; I ivill help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument, having teeth : thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff: thou …
519 wordsSECTION 14292(5.] The Worm Threshing The Mountains. 1 1 5
of the Christian Church, which yet it was destined to over- come : so are there mountains in the way of every individual, which yet he must remove, before he can arrive at the Pro- mised Land. What almost insuperable difficulties does the world present to him ! its pleasures, its maxims, its habits, its company, i…
488 wordsSECTION 143146 Isaiah, Xll 14—10. [926.
IV. Their triumphs — [With such weakness, and such labours, we might well expect the worm Jacob to sink in dejection and despair : but behold he triumphs and exults, "rejoicing in the Lord, and glorying in the Holy One of Israel." Here it must be re- marked, that he does not ascribe his successes to his own arm ; …
459 wordsSECTION 144Consolation For The Desponding.
cxertionsd. The mountains must be threshed by our arm : " tlie kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent must take it by force e." We must run our race, and fight our fight, and endure unto the end : for it is " to him only that overcometh, that the crown of glory will be given." Give not way then to d…
397 wordsSECTION 145148 Isaiah, Xli. 17, 18. [927.
[All men, if they knew their state, are indeed " poor and needy :" but the generality think themselves " rich and. in- creased with goods." God's people, however, feel their poverty and need. They are deeply sensible how destitute they are of wisdom, strength, &c] They ardently desire to be endued with holiness a…
699 wordsSECTION 146Dccccxxviii.
s Lam. iii. 32. h The subject of the soul's complaint is the very subject of God's promise. The soul laments ' God will not hear me ; he has utterly forsaken me ; it is absurd for me to cherish a hope ; I might as soon expect to find rivers on a lofty mountain, as to possess grace and peace in my soul.' 1 Here is…
689 wordsSECTION 147Dccccxxviii.
In this view Christ is said to be given " for a covenant ;" because he alone fulfils the conditions of it, and because we, in laying hold on him, become partakers of all its benefits.] 2. To perform it effectually in our behalf — [Man being blinded by Satan and enslaved by sin, it was necessary that he should be e…
274 wordsSECTION 148152 Isaiah, Xlii. 5—7. [928.
them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto Godf." All this is Christ's covenanted work: he performs it in consequence of his own engagements : and he will perform it as long as there shall continue one on whose behalf the mighty working of his power shall be necessary.] In the text we notice,…
672 wordsSECTION 149Dccccxxix.
2. What encouragement have all to embrace that covenant ! [Are any persons ready to apprehend that they are ex- cluded from it as unworthy? Behold the provisions of the covenant itself! See for whose benefit it is particularly de- signed ! Are we not only in darkness, but blind also ? Are we enslaved, and so fast…
669 wordsSECTION 150Dccccxxix.
In every dispensation, especially as it respects his people, we may say, II. His intentions are merciful — The perplexities of his people are often very great : but God has gracious designs in all"1. We may see this remark exemplified in the case of Job — [How heavy and accumulated were the trials that came on h…
258 wordsSECTION 151156 Isaiah, Xlii. 1G. [929.
the offers of his Gospel s If he prune them as a vine, it is to augment their fruitfulness*. If he refine them as with fire, it is to advance the purification of their souls". Thus he constrains them to acknowledge with the Psalmist x — .] They indeed are often ready to doubt his love. But, III. His regards are pe…
386 wordsSECTION 152Dccccxxx.
god's care for his people. Isai. xliii. 1 — 3. Now thus saith the Lord that created thee, 0 Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not : for 1 have redeemed thee ; I have called thee by thy name : thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be ivith thee; and through the rivers they shall n…
381 wordsSECTION 153158 Isaiah, Xliil 1—3. [930.
have " those who were born after the flesh persecuted those who were born after the Spirit d:" nor can any "who will live godly in Christ Jesus hope to escape" their virulent assaults e. And where is there a child of God whom that great " adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, does not labour to devourf?" There i…
917 wordsSECTION 154100 Isaiah, Xliii. 4. [931.
Infer — 1. What consolation does the Gospel of Christ afford ! [In the Old Testament we have those very promises of which we have spoken. But it is the Gospel which gives us n Ps. lxvi. 10—12. ° Mai. iii. 3. P Isai. xxvii. 3. i Isai. lxiii. 9. r Jer. xxxi. 20. the full insight into them. We behold in the Old Tes…
292 wordsSECTION 155931.1 The Blessedness Of The True Christian. 161
Isai. xliii. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee. FEW have any conception how close the analogy is between God's dealings with his people of old, and his conduct towards his Church and people in the present day. In truth, we scarcel) know how to admit that God…
610 wordsSECTION 156162 Isaiah, Xliil 4. [931.
apart, as " his peculiar treasuree," and " his jewelsf," ana" " his portion and inheritance8." Thus we see clearly whence their greatness arose ; and how it came to pass that " they were exalted above all the nations of the earth, in name, and in honour, and in praise V] And whence is it that any of us are " preci…
435 wordsSECTION 157931.] Tiif- Blessedness Of The True Christian. 163
[Since the Jews had been precious in God's sight, they were honourable. They were honourable in themselves, as being elevated to a higher character than any other people in the universe. What other people were ever distinguished with such a code of laws as they0? or in what other country under heaven did persons a…
502 wordsSECTION 158164 Isaiah, Xliii. 4. [931.
sword of thine excellency" ?" If this was spoken of the Jews because of the love which God bare to them, what must be said of us, whom " he has loved, even as he loves his only-be- gotten Sonx?" Who can tell what it is to be favoured with " the spirit of adoption ?" or what to " have the witness of the Spirit witn…
476 wordsSECTION 159932.] The Saints Are Witnesses For God. 165
wrought for them, and those which he has pledged himself yet further to accomplish. Hence they are kept in a low state of bondage, instead of being " brought into the full liberty of the children of God." But read the Epistles of St. Paul, my Brethren : read, especially, his prayers, and see how he soars in his co…
400 wordsSECTION 1601Gg Isaiah, Xliii. 12. [932.
Isai. xliii. 12. Ye are my ivitnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. GOD is a jealous God, and cannot endure that any other should be put in competition with him. Hence he takes frequent occasion to reprove the idolatry into which his people were ever prone to relapse. He shews them the folly of cutting down a t…
417 wordsSECTION 161932.] The Saints Are Witnesses For God. 167
expectation of glory, as consummate pride and presumption. And who can alter their views ? Not an Apostle, nor even an angel from heaven. They might be silenced ; but nothing less than Omnipotence can so change their sentiments, as to make them in love with a spiritual and heavenly life. But the Child of God sees …
461 wordsSECTION 162168 Isaiah, Xliii. 12. [932.
them do not find themselves awfully mistaken, when they shall stand at the judgment-seat of Christ: but the truth is the same, whether few or many experience it ; and it is a certain fact, that every Child of God is delivered from the love of this present evil world and the fewness of those, whose lives correspond…
668 wordsSECTION 163170 Isaiah, Xliii. 20. [933.
and manifest his power and grace ! O blessed day ! Look forward to it with joy ; and prepare for it by increasing zeal in the service of your God.] god's kindness to his people. Tsai. xliii. 20. I give ivaters in the ivilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. THE mercies of God …
737 wordsSECTION 164170 Isaiah, Xliii. 20. [933.
2. A term of endearment — [This seems the more particular view in which the name is given to God's people in the text. Just as, in reference to his dear Son, God says, " Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delightethh," so he speaks of his people here, as feeling complacency and delight in…
283 wordsSECTION 165172 Isaiah, Xliii. 20. [933.
the common feelings of humanity, they must find afflictions grievous to them, exactly as others do. Even the most eminent saints have at times been ready to sink under their burthens. Behold David on the death of his rebellious son, Absalom; how bitterly he bewailed his loss'! See Hezekiah under the pres- sure of …
654 wordsSECTION 166174 Isaiah, Xlii1. 22—26. [934.
[It is principally with a view to increase and strengthen their graces, that God permits his people to experience so many troubles. He " chooses them in the furnace of afflic- tion," and by means of the fire he " purges away their dross," that they may come forth as gold. Blessed is the testimony which David bears…
346 wordsSECTION 167934.1 Tiie Greatness Of Gods Mercy. 175
Isai. xliii. 22 — 26. Thou hast not called upon me, 0 Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, 0 Israel. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings ; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor ivearied thee with incense. Thou hast bo…
681 wordsSECTION 168170 Isaiah, Xliii. 22—26. [934.
b Rom. vii. 12. " Exod. xxx. 23, 25, 34, 35. d Mai. i. 8. e Amosii. 13. covctousness, impurity, and whatever else is hateful unto God, have at all times found a ready admission into our hearts: and if an outward restraint has been imposed upon our actions, it has not proceeded from a fear of Godf, or a hatred of s…
483 wordsSECTION 169934.] The Greatness Of God'S Mercy. 177
under the charge brought against them, will instantly reply,, "Wherein have we wearied thee1?" To such God may be considered as saying, ' Since you plead your innocence m, and stand on your own defence, as though you did not need this offer of mercy, come, and " put me in remembrance" of your good deeds (for, if y…
464 wordsSECTION 170The Out-Pouring Of The Spirit Promised.
men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truths?" Verily " He delightethin mercy;" and "judgment," on whom- soever it is exercised, " is his strange work," to which he is utterly averse.] 2. How bitter will be the reflections of all who perish in their sins ! [If there be one ingredient in the cup of…
402 wordsSECTION 171935.] T"E Out-Pouring Of The Spirit Promised. 179
gracious operations on the soul, he applies to men that redemption which Jesus Christ has obtained for them ; and hy his sanctifying power he makes them meet for that inheritance which their Redeemer pur- chased for them hy his blood. Whenever therefore we behold in the Scriptures a promise of the Holy Spirit, we…
445 wordsSECTION 172180 Isaiah, Xliv. 1—5. [935.
that there is nothing too great for us to expect at the hands of such a gracious Goda.] But the promise itself is most glorious — [The gift of the Holy Ghost is that peculiar blessing which the Church in all ages was taught to look for under the Chris- tian dispensation. A measure indeed of the Spirit was vouch- …
502 wordsSECTION 173935.1 Tiie Out-Pouring Of The Spirit Promised. 181
God. The unconverted man in his best estate conceives himself to have some right over himself: but the true convert says, yea, and delights to say, " I am the Lord's:" ' I am his rightfully; I am his willingly and deliberately ; I am his unreservedly and for ever.' It is for this very end that the Spirit is promise…
482 wordsSECTION 174182 Isaiah, Xl1V. 1—5. [935.
[What mercy can be in reserve for me, may one say, who am " given over to the curse of God, and to the reproaches " of my own conscience ? "Were I like " the earth that drinketh in the rain, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, I might hope for a blessing from God : but bear- ing, as I do,…
526 wordsSECTION 175935. J The Out-Pouring Of The Spirit Promised. 183
in bodily stature and intellectual attainments, look to see them " growing up as willows by the water-courses," and manifesting to all around them, how richly they are watered by the grace of God. That there is a great neglect of these things amongst religious professors, is but too true ; but if the grace of God …
522 wordsSECTION 176The Folly Of Spiritual Idolatry.
Isai. xliv. 20. He feedeth on ashes : a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? WE who have lived under the light of revelation, and have been instructed in the knowledge of the one true God, are amazed at the stupidity of the Heathen, w…
359 wordsSECTION 177936. J The Folly Of Spiritual Idolatr . 185
is spiritual. It was formed for God : and nothing but what comes from God, and leads to God, can support it. The word of God, for instance, is food on which it may subsist : and hence " the new-born babe desires the unadulterated milk of the word, that he may grow thereby e." On this the saints of old sub- sisted …
495 wordsSECTION 178180 Isaiah. Xliv. 20. [936.
which will tend to its destruction. Every day that a man lives to himself and to this present world, he departs farther and farther from God, and renders himself more and more inca- pable of heavenly pursuits and heavenly enjoyments. He is " a sinner against his own souln;" and is fitly represented as " wronging h…
803 wordsSECTION 179188 Isaiah, Xliv. 20. [936.
Hence we may easily account for, III. The strength of their delusions — " They cannot deliver their souls" — [Truly, as our Liturgy well expresses it, they " are tied and bound with the chain of their sins." The whole generation of ungodly men are "led captive by the devil, at his willc," and are " carried away t…
890 wordsSECTION 180The Work Of Redemption A Motive To Conversion.
2. How watchful should we be against the remains of our corrupt nature ! [Whilst we are in this world, we still carry about with us "a body of sin and death," and many corrupt propensities, against which we must be ever on our guard. We are but " in part renewed." " The flesh still lusteth against the Spirit, as …
574 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.