PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 8 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 282,151 words · 604 reading sections
318 Isaiah, Lii. 13. [963.
highest seat of dignity and honour. That human soul also, that once was harassed with the temptations of Satan, and that endured the wrath of a sin-avenging God, is now assumed into such an union with the godhead, as to be exalted infinitely above the highest archangel. It is in his human nature that the bright- …
370 wordsSECTION 3029(53.1 Christ Rewarded For His Services. 319
O that this glorious season might speedily begin ; that his kingdom might come, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven ! But if we be not favoured to behold this period, let us at least make him the most acceptable return we can for his kindness, by devoting ourselves to his service, and endeavouring to…
389 wordsSECTION 303320 Isaiah, Lii. 18. [963.
Id improving this subject, we shall find abundant matter of reproof to the ungodly, of encourage- ment to the humble, and of direction to all. 1. Reproof to the ungodly — On the most diligent inquiry into the life and con- duct of our Lord, we shall find that he omitted nothing that was necessary for the effectin…
377 wordsSECTION 304963. J Christ Rewarded For His Services. 321
not willingly, he shall be exalted against our will ; for " he will reign, till he has put every enemy under his feet." If we will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, we shall be broken in pieces with the rod of his indignation. 2. Encouragement to the humble — They who are humbly endeavouring to serve God, may…
369 wordsSECTION 305322 Isaiah, L1I. 14, 15. [964.
3. Direction to all — While the words before us prophetically declare what Christ shall receive as the reward of his labours, they serve as a direction to every one that names the name of Christ : they virtually enjoin us to pay him the tribute which is so justly due. "What shall I render unto the Lord," was the …
317 wordsSECTION 306964.] The Depth Of Our Saviours Humiliation. 323
Isa. lii. 14, 15.— As many ivere astonished at thee*; (his visage ivas so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men :) so shall he sprinkle many nations. a Should be " him." Bishop Lowth. OF all the subjects that ever engaged the attention of the human mind, there is none so important as th…
411 wordsSECTION 307324 Isaiah, Lii. 14, 15. [964.
fugitive from his native country. Till the age of thirty his occupation was that of a carpenter, at which business he worked with his reputed father. And during the four last years of his life, nothing could exceed the contempt and ignominy with which he was treated. He was called a deceiver, a gluttonous man, an…
384 wordsSECTION 308964.] The Depth Of Our Saviour'S Humiliation. 325
as a man, he was eminently distinguished above all the human race as " a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." He suffered much in his body, from labours, watchings, fastings ; from the want even of a place where to lay his head ; from the wounds made in it from head to foot, by the thorns, the scourges, an…
387 wordsSECTION 309326 Isaiah, Lii. 14, 15. [964.
him any comfort ; on the contrary, he was betrayed by one, denied by another, and forsaken by all. All orders and degrees of men were alike inveterate and devoid of mercy. Of this he himself complains by the prophet, " I looked for some to take pity on me, but there was none ; and for comforters, but I found none…
655 wordsSECTION 310328 Isaiah, Lil 14, 15. [964.
See then whether " the visage of any man was ever so marred as his?" Others, if they have been tried in body, have had comfort in their soul : if they have been persecuted by man, they have received succour from God : or if their trials have been of a diversified nature, still they have found some to commiserate, …
470 wordsSECTION 311964.] The Depth Of Our Saviour'S Humiliation. 329
He suffered, first, that he might purge us from the guilt of sin by his blood. To this the inspired writers bear witness with one consent. They declare that he was a propitiation for our sins; that we are reconciled to God by his death, and that we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. …
387 wordsSECTION 312330 Isaiah, Lii. 14, 15. [964.
water." " Since he bare our sins in his own body, on purpose that we, being dead unto sin, might live unto righteousness," let us not be unmindful of our duty and our privilege. Let us seek " the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost," and labour to " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness bo…
338 wordsSECTION 313The Means And Evidence Of Conversion.
The blessings mentioned in the text were not pro- cured for one nation only, but for "many" even for all, to the remotest ends of the earth. And as no nation is excluded, so neither is any individual in any nation. The fountain is opened for all ; and will cleanse from sin and uncleanness all who wash in it. As "…
342 wordsSECTION 314332 Isaiah, Lii. 15. [965.
extensive influence. From the first promulgation of it to the present moment, events have justified the prediction before us ; for " kings," on hearing of a crucified Saviour, have " shut their mouths before him," and acknowledged him as the foundation of all their hopes. The terms in which this prophecy is expre…
358 wordsSECTION 315965.] Tiie Means Of Conversion. 333
written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see, and they that have not heard, shall understand3." And, indeed, this is a very just description of the Gospel ; for, the productions of human wisdom were open to the view of kings : but the Gospel was far out of their sight ; it was " a mystery hid in the bo- …
383 wordsSECTION 316334 Isaiah, Lii. 15. [965.
Christ alone for the salvation of our souls. We must so discern their excellence, as to be induced to " con- sider" them ; to consider the death of Christ as the only sacrifice for sin ; and to consider an interest in it as the only means for salvation. Thus, in order to our being effectually converted to God, Ch…
357 wordsSECTION 317965.1 The Means Of Conversion. 335
behold its own deformity, dares no longer rest on such a sandy foundation. Others may go presumptuously into God's presence, " thanking him that they are not as other men ; " but the true convert " stands afar off," and, with an unfeigned sense of his own unworthiness, " smites on his breast, and cries for mercy."…
364 wordsSECTION 318336 Isaiah, Lii. 15. [965.
perfections as exhibited in the mystery of redemption is deemed the very masterpiece of divine wisdom. The believer finds no disposition to open his mouth against these things, but rather to open it in devoutest praises and thanksgivings for them. As for the way of salvation by faith alone, how suitable, how delig…
367 wordsSECTION 319965.] The Means Of Conversion. 337
in every place take exceptions against Christ and his Gospel without ever examining for themselves : they even shut their ears against every thing which may be said in vindication of the truth ; and thus harden themselves in their iniquities, till they perish without a remedy. Whence is it that so many have their…
358 wordsSECTION 320Dcccclxvi.
it will not slay; no pride, however stubborn, which it will not humble. The more it is examined, the more it prevails : it needs only to be " seen and consi- dered;" and it will soon remove every objection, and commend itself with irresistible evidence to the soul. Let us then consider, and reflect upon this glori…
662 wordsSECTION 321310 Isaiah, Liil 1. [966.
With respect to its importance, never was there any other report so universally interesting as this ; a Luke xxiv. 20, 27. b 1 Pet. i. 11. c Zech. xii. 7. z 2 for it is not confined to a single state or kingdom, but to all the kingdoms of the earth, and to every indivi- dual from Adam to the latest of his posteri…
743 wordsSECTION 322312 Isaiah, Liii. 1. [966.
b 2 Cor. xiii. 5. h Eph. ii. 8. • Acts xviii. 27. k Gal. v. 6. ' • 1 John v. 4. m Acts xv. 9. B Jam. ii. 19. ° John xii. 37, 38. p Rom. x. 16. amongst you does it produce its proper effect, so as to demonstrate that God's arm has indeed been re- vealed to you! Nay, I will even appeal to you, whether at this momen…
410 wordsSECTION 323967.] Characters And Treatment Of Christ. 343
delusive expectations, and to seek from God that true faith which alone can sanctify and save the soul. 2. To those who really possess the faith of Christ. Such, I doubt not, are to be found amongst you. Yes, some of you, I trust, can call God to witness, that you have again and again "fled to Christ for refuge a…
306 wordsSECTION 324344 Isaiah, Liil 2, 3. [967.
Isai. liii. 2, 3. For he shall groio up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground : he hath no form nor comeliness : and, when voe shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief : and we hid as it w…
382 wordsSECTION 325D67.] Characters And Treatment Of Christ. 345
in the prophetic writings, in order that, when the Messiah should appear, there should be no room to question his divine mission ; since the marks them- selves could not have been combined by chance, nor would have been invented by any one, who had de- sired to impose upon the world. Confining ourselves to those …
370 wordsSECTION 326£46 Isaiah, Liii. 2, 3. [967.
followed by the whole nation. But he neither pos- sessed himself, nor promised to his followers, any of those things which are so captivating to a carnal heart. Instead of abounding in wealth, and having the great and nobles of the earth as his attendants, he was followed only by a few poor fishermen, and sometim…
359 wordsSECTION 327907.] Characters And Treatment Of Christ. 347
against himself" must have been inexpressibly painful to his benevolent mind. He had come down from heaven to give his own life a ransom for them ; and was continually endeavouring to lead them to the knowledge of himself, that they might obtain salva- tion through him : he was working a series of the most stupen…
368 wordsSECTION 328348 Isaiah, Liu. 2, 3. [967.
" acquaintance with grief" would appear strange and unaccountable : but to the view of faith, it marked him as the chosen of God, the Redeemer of the world. This subject will be yet more fully illustrated by considering, II. The reception he met with — One would scarcely suppose it possible, that such a person a…
353 wordsSECTION 329967.1 Characters And Treatment Of Christ. 349
whole, they crucified him between two thieves ; and continued their impious derision till the very instant of his dissolution. Nay, they were not even then satisfied ; even after he was dead, they could not refrain from shewing their hatred of him : one of the soldiers, expressing doubtless the feelings of others …
362 wordsSECTION 330350 Isaiah, Liii. 2, '3. [<J67.
that has not poured contempt on Christ? The Apo- stles and other disciples of our Lord went to every quarter of the known world, and preached Jesus as the Saviour of men : but in every place did the glad tidings meet with the same reception. Even where the word was most successful, the great majority re- jected i…
398 wordsSECTION 331967.] Characters And Treatment Of Christ. 35 I
have I iii heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee." But how few are there who thus " count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ!" Yet they, who do not thus regard him, have no just sense of his worth and excellence, and therefore in reality under- va…
344 wordsSECTION 332352 Isaiah, Liu. 2, 3. [967.
hated him, despised him, and crucified him as a male- factor. Nor was this owing to the violence of a few : the whole nation rose up against him, and put him to death. Now this shews us in the clearest light, what human nature is, and what enmity there is in the heart of man against God. And O ! what a humiliatin…
375 wordsSECTION 333The True Cause Of Our Lord'S Sufferings.
Isai. liii. 4, 5. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows : yet ice did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. WHATEVER diffic…
329 wordsSECTION 334354 Isaiah, Liii. 4, 5. [968.
cause. It should seem that they had adopted this uncharitable mode of judging respecting those on whom the tower in Siloam fell, or whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, as though they were sinners above all others of their own nation3. On one occasion they openly avowed this principle, ascribing …
362 wordsSECTION 3359G8.1 True Cause Of Our Lord'S Sufferings. 355
Christ, it was foretold that his enemies would con- spire against him, and vindicate their conduct towards him from this consideration, that God himself had pointed him out by his judgments as deserving every thing that could be inflicted on him : " All that hate me whisper together against me, against me do they …
333 wordsSECTION 336350 Isaiah, Liii. 4, 5. [968.
and his removing of bodily disorders was emblematical of the spiritual diseases, which he also came to heal. But the evangelist must not be understood to say, that the prophecy related to nothing more than the sympathizing with the afflicted, and the healing of their disorders ; for St. Peter, quoting the very sam…
364 wordsSECTION 3379G8.] True Cause Of Our Lord'S Sufferings. 357
them, could be taken away from us. Nothing less than this sacrifice could satisfy the demands of divine justice. As for " the blood of bulls and of goats, it was not possible that they should take away sin : " nor could we remove it by any offerings we could bring : rather, therefore, than we should perish for ev…
368 wordsSECTION 338358 Isaiah, Liil 4,5. [968.
man the free and legitimate use of all his powers. This, no less than the foregoing, was a principal end of all his sufferings. Did he give his back to the sm iters, so that they even " ploughed it up with scourges, and made long their furrows ?" It was that "by his stripes we might be healed:" he gave him- self …
380 wordsSECTION 339The Means Of Man'S Restoration To God.
constrained to admire the unsearchable heights and depths of his love, we should burst forth into accla- mations and hosannas, " to him who loved us and gave himself for us." 2. What obligations we lie under to put our trust in him! What does the self-righteous Pharisee declare, but this ? "I will not trust in t…
317 wordsSECTION 340300 Isaiah, Liii. 6. [969.
which serve most to illustrate and confirm these fundamental points. Moreover, these two should always be considered in their relation to each other; for it is by the atonement that we seethe depth of our depravity, and by our depravity we see the necessity and excellency of the atonement. By considering them apa…
353 wordsSECTION 341969.] Means Of Man'S Restoration To God. 361
Mankind have all turned aside from God and his ways into paths of their own choosing. One has chosen the way of open profaneness. To follow the bent of his own carnal inclinations, to walk at liberty in the pursuit of pleasure, to join in convivial com- pany, to be a spectator of every vain amusement, to gratify …
382 wordsSECTION 342362 Isaiah, Liii. 6. [960.
and serve as a foundation for self-complacency. This he supposes to be God's way, when, in fact, it is, as much as either the worldling's or the sensualist's, a way of his own : for, in all this, there is nothing of brokenness of heart and contrition, nothing of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing of devotedne…
365 wordsSECTION 3439G9.] Means Of Man'S Restoration To God. 3G3
of all sin. The poor senseless sheep may be pitied, but cannot be blamed, for wandering from the fold, because they are unconscious of any obligation to abide under the direction of their shepherd. But our criminality in departing from God is exceeding great. Blind as we are to spiritual truths, we yet know that …
394 wordsSECTION 344364 Isaiah, Liu. 6. [969.
having borne the curse due to them, he might take them all away from us for ever. This was the plan, which infinite wisdom contrived for the pardoning of sin in consistency with the divine perfections. Had the Governor of the universt received his apostate creatures to favour without any atonement, it might have …
394 wordsSECTION 345969.] Means Of Man'S Restoration To God. 3G5
them ? it was, " that we, being dead unto sin, might live unto righteousness." The apostle then adds, " By whose stripes ye were healed." Do we enquire, wherein this healing consists ? he tells us ; " For ye were as sheep going astray ; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls*." In order t…
346 wordsSECTION 34636G Isaiah, Liu. 7. [970.
2. Having adopted from our hearts the confession of the prophet, let us proceed to imitate the conduct of our God — Behold what the Father did, when no other way remained for our restoration to his favour : he took all our iniquities, and laid them on the head of his own Son. Thus must we also do, if we would hav…
274 wordsSECTION 347Dcccclxx.
Christ's behaviour under his sufferings. Isai. liii. 7. He was oppressed, and he ivas afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. THE preaching of Christ crucified has in every age been the great means …
444 wordsSECTION 348368 Isaiah, Liii. 7. [970.
been consigned over to everlasting perdition, if Jesus had not engaged on our behalf to satisfy every demand of law and justice. When he saw that there was none able or willing to avert from us the miseries to which we were exposed, " his own arm brought salvation to usc." As Paul, interposing for the restoration …
752 wordsSECTION 349370 Isaiah, Liii. 7. [970.
Having this glorious end in view, he exhibited, e Crucifixion was not a Jewish, but a Roman punishment. throughout the whole of his sufferings, the most won- derful magnanimity in, II. His behaviour under them — Nothing can exceed the beauty and propriety of the images, by which our Lord's patience is here illus…
750 wordsSECTION 350372 Isaiah, Liii. 7. [970.
* Ps. xl. C— 8. B B 2 and, after he had shewn them by one exercise of his power that he could easily have struck them all dead upon the spot, even as Elijah had done before himg, he gave himself up into their hands, stipulating how- ever for his disciples (as he had long since done in effect with his heavenly Fa…
730 wordsSECTION 351374 Isaiah, Liil 7. [970.
k Dan. ix. 24. ! Job xxxiii. 24. ni Gen. xxii. 13. redeemed, and delivered from the hand of the enemy." But this subject affords us also, 2. A pattern for our imitation — The delivering of us from destruction was by no means the only end of our Saviour's suffering: he further intended to " leave us an example, t…
486 wordsSECTION 35237G Isaiah, Liil 8. [971.
our lord's trial and execution. Isai. liii. 8. He ivas taken from prison and from judgment : and who shall declare his generation ? for he was cut off out of the land of the living : for the transgression of my peojjle ivas he stricken. IT has been generally thought, especially among heathen writers, that if virt…
698 wordsSECTION 35337G Isaiah, Liil 8. [971.
The history of our Lord is but too just a comment on this prophecy : for surely there never was a per- son treated with such flagrant injustice as he. His enemies, unable to lay any thing to his charge, suborned false witnesses, that they might take away his life by perjury : and when these agreed not in their te…
251 wordsSECTION 354378 Isaiah, Liii. 8. [97 1.
of usurping the prerogatives of Caesar, he had mira- culously withdrawn himself from the people, when they sought to invest him with royal authority : and had charged them to be as conscientious in giving to Caesar the things that were Caesar's, as unto God the things that were God's ! And while these inva- lidat…
741 wordsSECTION 355380 Isaiah, Liii. 8. [971.
before his death, he had cried with a loud voice, manifesting thereby that he willingly surrendered up his soul, while his body was yet strong and vigorous : he had been witness to that supernatural darkness during the three last hours of our Saviour's life ; he had felt the earthquake at the moment of his de- pa…
718 wordsSECTION 356382 Isaiah, Liii. 8. [971.
acceptance of it, surely we must be inexcusable indeed if we will not bestow this attention on a concern of such infinite importance. On the other hand, if, like the Bereans, we search the Scriptures daily, to see whether things be as they are represented to us, we doubt not respecting the issue of such an inquiry…
360 wordsSECTION 357971. J Our Lords Trial And Execution. 383
exemplary conduct, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men* : but our fortitude will be tried ; nor can we hope that God will make our enemies to be at peace with us, till our ways have long been pleasing in his sight, and our fidelity have been proved by many painful and victorious conflicts. It is worthy of…
373 wordsSECTION 358384 Isaiah, Liu. 9, 10. [972.
had cut their way through the Philistine hosts, and, at the most imminent peril of their lives, had brought him water from the well of Bethlehem, forbore to drink of it, and poured it out before the Lord with this reflection; " Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives™ ?" However much …
341 wordsSECTION 359972.] Ti1E Father'S Conduct Towards Jesus. 385
the father's conduct towards the INNOCENT JESUS lsai. liii. 9, 10. He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put him to grief. THE accomplishment of the prophecies is one o…
405 wordsSECTION 360386 Isaiah, Liu. 9, 10. [972.
was he to be persecuted and put to death by men only, but to be an object also of the Divine displeasure. Therefore it was foretold by the prophet in the text, that, " although* he had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his rnouth, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and to put him to grief." Fr…
379 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.