PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 9 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,747 words · 533 reading sections
1038.} The Miseries Of War. 61
eternal world, if by " prophesying smooth things" we contribute to your ruin. We must, then, speak, " whether you will hear or whether you will forbear ;" and must warn you, that nothing but present and eternal misery can be expected, whilst you continue impenitent in your sins r ] 2. To the people — [Though the …
415 wordsSECTION 62Mxxxix.
Isaiah. O that we may not thus provoke God to jealousy, and bring accumulated curses on our own heads, when we should be labouring by prayer and supplication to avert them x ! ] 3. The mourners — [We hope there are some who possess a measure of Jere- miah's patriotism and piety, and who understand by experi- enc…
676 wordsSECTION 6364 Jeremiah, V. 23, 24. [1039.
And " what are we better than theyc ?" [God has given to us also his Law. And who amongst us obeys it ? Who desires to obey it ? Who really, and in truth, endeavours to obey it ? What, if we do not bow down to stocks and stones ; do we not, in fact, " love and serve the creature more than the Creator," even as the…
700 wordsSECTION 6464 Jeremiah, V. 23, 24. [1039.
has " the goodness of our God led us to rejoentance1? " But what shall I say, if I put the question in reference to spiritual blessings? God has given to us, not merely "the bread that perisheth, but that also which endureth unto ever- lasting life." And not only has he sent us rain to refresh and fructify the par…
335 wordsSECTION 6566 Jeremiah, Vi. 16. [1040.
more especially his dealings with you as individuals, his mer- cies, and his judgments, of whatever kind they be ; for they all have a voice to you, and may be improved to your spiri- tual and eternal good. Have you mercies ? Let them incline you to a willing and unreserved surrender of yourselves to God1. Have yo…
361 wordsSECTION 661040.1 The Good Old Way. 67
Jer. vi. 16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ash for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. WHATEVER bears the stamp of antiquity upon it, finds, for the most part, a favourable reception in the world, while innovations are admitted wi…
444 wordsSECTION 6768 Jeremiah, Vi. 16. [1040.
whom God has appointed to be as way-marks to the people, and whose lips should both keep, and dispense, knowledge. Moreover we should search the sacred oracles (which, as a map, delineate our path with infallible precision) comparing with them the various steps we have taken, and noticing with care the footsteps o…
414 wordsSECTION 681040.] The Good Old Way. 69
heard, nor heart conceived : at the instant of their dismission from the bod}', they shall be borne on the wings of angels into the regions of the blest, and lie in the bosom of their Lord to all eternity.] Address — 1. To those who disregard religion — [You indeed may plead long prescription (even from the days…
427 wordsSECTION 69Expostulation With The Impenitent.
to communicate itf. So will the good way be more fre- quented ; and more abundant blessings now down on all who walk in it.] f If this were the subject of a Sermon for Charity Schools, the propriety of subscribing liberally for the support of such institutions might be stated here. Jer. viii. 4 — 8. Thou shalt sa…
357 wordsSECTION 701041. I Expostulation With The Impenitent. 71
shall not however make a formal division of our dis- course, or mark our transition from one part of it to another, but shall prosecute our subject in the precise order of the words before us. Permit me then to observe to you, that, Men will endeavour to remedy any misfortune that has happened to them — [" If a …
433 wordsSECTION 7172 Jeremiah, Viii. 4—8. [1041.
But, notwithstanding our obstinacy,] God is ever looking wishfully for our return — [" He looks down from heaven, to see if there be any that will understand and seek after himd." " He willeth not the death of any man, but rather that he should come to repent- ance and livee." He even swears that this is the state…
457 wordsSECTION 721041.1 Expostulation With The Impenitent. 73
the description given of the war-horse in the book of Job : " He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength : he goeth forth to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He sw…
468 wordsSECTION 7374 Jeremiah, Viii. 4—8. [1041.
strange it is to say, that they will even quote the word of God, as countenancing their ways ; and, without once considering the true import of the passages they adduce, they will cry, " The law of the Lord is with msV But let them bring forth their strong reasons ; let them shew us from the word of God, that no "…
451 wordsSECTION 74Healing Our Wounds Slightly.
indeed, and let the word of the Lord be truly with yo?i." Let " the glorious Gospel of the blessed God " be indeed the one ground of your hope, and the one rule of your conduct. Let the light which it exhibits be desired by you ; and let all " your deeds be brought to it, that it may be manifest that they are wrou…
323 wordsSECTION 7576 Jeremiah, Viii. 4—8. [1042.
convictions of conscience, and to " speak peace to themselves, when there is no peace." For the benefit of such persons, we will endeavour to shew, I. What need we all have of healing — Sin has infected all the powers of our souls This melancholy truth is, 1. Asserted in the Scriptures — [" God made man upright …
376 wordsSECTION 761042.] Healing Our Wounds Slightly. 77
[Many have an idea that God is too merciful to inflict on men the judgments he has denounced against sin : and on this presumption they dismiss all fear of future punishment. As for the justice or holiness of the Deity, they altogether over- look them ; supposing that their claims may be superseded without any dif…
474 wordsSECTION 7778 Jeremiah, Viii. 11. [1042.
us, is that which unites us unto Christ, as branches to the vine ; and enables us, by virtue derived from him, to bring forth fruit to his glory.] Yet, as there is a perfect remedy, it becomes me to state, III. How we may have them healed effectually — The Lord Jesus Christ has provided a remedy for sin — [He h…
405 wordsSECTION 781042.] Healing Our Wounds Slightly. 79
malady; or that, without a most stupendous effort of divine grace, they must eternally perish. But, though they are called Christians, they are ignorant of the very nature of Christianity. I say again, they know not what Christianity is : and if they were asked to give in one word such a description of Christ- ian…
489 wordsSECTION 79Of Grace.
No : I have seen his ways, and) will heal him ; and will restore comfort also to him and to his mourners u." Avail your- selves then, my Brethren, of the opportunity now afforded you ; and go to Him who is able to save you to the uttermost," and " will cast out none who come unto him." But remember, you must be co…
424 wordsSECTION 801043.1 Remedy For The Loss Of Seasons Of Grace. 81
EVERY one acknowledges that it is his duty to trust in God ; but we are prone to creature-confi- dence. Hence we are often left to faint under dif- ficulties from which we might easily have been extricated. Thus the Jews increased their distress by relying on the Egyptians for succour, when, if they would have tr…
450 wordsSECTION 8182 Jeremiah, Viii. 20—22. [1043.
I. Who are they of whom it may be said " their har- vest is past, their summer is ended, and they are not saved?" In its primary sense this passage is applicable only to the Jews, when they were attacked by the Baby- lonians ; but it may be applied to those who have lost seasons of spiritual relief. The " summer …
320 wordsSECTION 821043.1 Remedy For The Loss Of Seasons Of Grace. 83
[Present time is often wasted, as though it were of no value. But many would be glad on a death-bed to recall the seasons in which they had heard the tidings of salvation, or felt the motions of God's Spirit. Such wishes, however, are all in vain.] Their seasons lost may never be renewed — [We are apt to promise …
314 wordsSECTION 83Christ Our Physician.
Jer. viii. 22. Is there no balm in Gilead ; is there no physi- cian there ? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered ? AS the Eastern languages in general, so the in- spired writings in particular, abound in metaphors. In this view, they are peculiarly calculated to convey instruction ; b…
321 wordsSECTION 841044.] Christ Our Physician. 85
is no health in us:" and we may as justly apply to our state that description of the Prophet Isaiah, " From the sole of our foot even to the head there is no soundness in us, but wounds and bruises and pu- trefying sores." Still however there is such a thing as a state of health : and what that is, we may learn, …
454 wordsSECTION 8586 Jeremiah, Viii. 22. [1044.
blessed Lord; and their hands were yet reeking with the Saviour's blood. But as soon as the grace of God reached their hearts, they were humbled for their sins, they believed in Christ as their only Saviour, they addicted themselves to the ministry of the Apostles, they felt the most cordial affec- tion towards al…
426 wordsSECTION 861044.] - Christ Our Physician. 87
remedies in the productions of nature and of art ; but this blessed Physician " heals his people with his own stripes :" he shed his own precious blood for us upon the cross, that it might be applied, as a sovereign balm, to our souls, to restore us to perfect health. And now we appeal to all of you : Is there any…
475 wordsSECTION 8788 Jeremiah, Ix. 3. [1045.
3. You hope for some more convenient season for returning to your God — [You have a general persuasion that you must experience a change before you go hence ; but you wish to put it off to some future period. You are too young at present, or have too many engagements ; and you think a time of sickness will be mor…
334 wordsSECTION 881045. J Fortitude On The Side Of Truth. 89
Jer. ix. 3. They are not valiant for the truth upon the earth. IT is by no means uncommon to see men valiant in their country's cause, or fearless in the commission of iniquity. But courage on the side of religion is a quality but rarely seen. This virtue attaches not itself to strength of nerves, nor is it a nece…
427 wordsSECTION 8990 Jeremiah, Ix. 3. [1045.
which every one feels himself at liberty to hunt. What the Gibeonites experienced, when they made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel, is a striking emblem of what must be expected by all who submit to Jesus, and associate themselves with his people0 And does it not require courage to endure this ? V…
418 wordsSECTION 901045.] Fortitude On The Side Of Truth. 91
contented to see us " partial in the law?" Will he accept our plea, if we urge our fear of man as a reason of our not fearing and obeying him? No: he has bidden us "not to fear man, who can only kill the body ; but to fear him, who can destroy both body and soul in hell e."] 2. To our neighbours — [What will they…
448 wordsSECTION 9192 Jeremiah, Ix. 3. [1045.
he was reviled, he reviled not again ; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself unto him that judgeth righteously :" yes, here was precisely the valour which we are called to exercise. We must " possess our souls in patience," and " let patience have its perfect work." If once we recede from this…
482 wordsSECTION 92The Only True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying.
we shall not be tempted above our ability to withstand, or with- out a way for us to escape k. We are told of women, who, under the most grievous sufferings for conscience sake, would not accept deliverance, when it was offered as an inducement to recede from their principles1. We need not fear therefore but that …
372 wordsSECTION 9394- Jeremiah, Ix. 23, 24. [1046.
nature and perfections, the exhortation may be applied with still more propriety and stronger energy. Let us then (as the text requires) first remove the false and insufficient grounds of glorying, and then propose such as are true and sufficient. The usual grounds of glorying the prophet here proscribes : " Let…
343 wordsSECTION 941046.] True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying. 95
raging industry, as of relieving the necessitous ; and they give full scope for the exercise of our most bene- volent affections. Each of them has its peculiar uses; and each is a precious talent capable of the highest improvement. Yet however they lay no solid founda- tion for glorying : and the prophet's injunct…
358 wordsSECTION 9596 Jeremiah, Ix. 23, 24. [1046.
exercise of it vexatious to ourselves and others. There is not in riches ; for they are defiling in their influence, contracted in their uses, and precarious in their tenure. Besides all which in the hour of death all our thoughts perish, our rank and dignity are annihilated, and our wealth is transferred to anot…
369 wordsSECTION 961046.] True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying. 97
invariably elevates and ennobles it : they leave us still longing for something unpossessed; this supplies all the wants, satisfies all the desires, and fills all the capacities of our immortal souls : they, through the depravity of our nature, often become means and instruments of pride, oppression, and avarice; …
371 wordsSECTION 9798 Jeremiah, Ix. 23,?A. [1046.
he hath sent, is eternal life ; "i. e. is the way to it, and the very beginning and earnest of it. Once more. We may glory in this knowledge of God, because it comprehends and unfolds to our view wisdom, power, and riches that are indeed infinite. The text particularly directs us to consider God as exercising lov…
380 wordsSECTION 981046.] True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying. 99
shews us how sin may be punished, and yet the sinner saved : and this too not only without countenancing sin or dishonouring the law, but in such a manner as to bring more honour to the law, than if it never had been broken, and to manifest more indignation against sin, than if the offender had endured its de- se…
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Infinite riches also are manifested in this our adora- ble Redeemer. How glorious, how unsearchable were the riches of the Father's love, which rather than we should perish, bestowed, not an angel or archangel, but his only-begotten Son, yea, gave him up for rebels, to the most bitter, ignominious, and accursed d…
376 wordsSECTION 1001046.] True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying. 101
with it, but at the same time live in a state of poverty, meanness, and ignorance, how few would shew them- selves like-minded with God in this matter ! Indeed, how few seek this knowledge at all, or even give it the least place in their thoughts ! On the contrary, the generality treat it with contempt ; and too m…
378 wordsSECTION 101102 Jeremiah, Ix. 23, 24. [1046.
Jer. ix. 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might ; let not the rich man glory in his riches ; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he tmderstandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judg- ment, …
311 wordsSECTION 1021046.] True And Sufficient Grounds Of Glorying. 103
It generally excites opposition in those who are subjected to it—] Nor are Riches at all more worthy objects of our glorying— [Wealth is very apt to produce covetous and sordid tempers — It frequently renders its possessors proud and oppressive — At best it can furnish us with little more than food and raiment …
342 wordsSECTION 103104 Jeremiah, Ix. 23, 24. [1046.
This is a just ground of glorying to all who pos- sess it — 1. It is free from all the defects which are found in the foregoing grounds — [They render the mind low and grovelling ; This elevates and ennobles it — They never satisfy the soul ; This affords it perfect satisfac- tion s — They may become sources of…
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THE CONTEMPT WITH WHICH GOD's RICHEST MERCIES ARE Jer. xiii. 11. As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory : but …
838 wordsSECTION 105106 Jeremiah, Xiii. 11. [1047.
But a girdle is also of use for ornament — [And to this our text has especial respect. The girdle of the high-priest was, as it is repeatedly called, "a curious girdle," given him "for glory and for beauty V and our great High- Priest desires that we should be to him what that curious girdle was to Aaron. Vile and…
297 wordsSECTION 106108 Jeremiah, Xiii. 11. [1047.
ft shine as lights in the world, holding forth" in our whole deportment " the word of life0;" we are made his on purpose that we may " shew forth his virtues?-" we are to be " epistles of Christ, known and read of all menq;" and shewing in the whole of our spirit and temper what the will of the Lord is : we are to…
430 wordsSECTION 1071047.] Contempt Of Gods Richest Mercies. 109
philosophy : but all by nature, however differing in their par- ticular pursuits, agree in this, that they " are of the world, and not of God ;" and that they " seek honour from man, and not the honour that cometh of God only." They need no exhorta- tion to cleave unto worldly vanities ; that they do naturally of …
486 wordsSECTION 108A Call To Repentance3.
partaker of this honour, if only he would comply with the invi- tations of his God. O that every one of us might now obey his voice ; and that he would " make us willing in the day of his power ! " Would you see more clearly what God would do for you ? This same prophet tells you without a figure, that "he will pa…
654 wordsSECTION 109112 Jeremiah, Xiii. 15—17. [1048.
Glorify his justice ; and acknowledge, that if he cut you off, and consign you to the lowest hell, you have no more than your just desert g. Glorify his mercy ; and plead it with him as the only, the all-sufficient ground of your hope and confidence11. Glorify his wisdom and goodness, that have opened a way for y…
652 wordsSECTION 110The Power Of Evil Habits.
0 To nations, 2 Chron. vii. 14 ; and to individuals, Isai. lv. 7. P Nineveh, the dying thief, &c. i Ps. cxix. 136. Ezra ix. 3. and x. 6. 2 Pet. ii. 8. Rom. ix. 1, 2 ; above all, Luke xix. 41. r 1 Kings viii. 46. Jam. hi. 2. s Gal. hi. 10. your lusts, and by your great adversary, the devil * ! O think, it is but a…
405 wordsSECTION 111114 Jeremiah, Xiii. 23. [1049.
I. The power of sin, as inherent in our nature — No wonder that we are entirely led captive by it : for, 1. It pervades all our faculties, whether of mind or body — [Our understanding is blinded by it ; our will is rendered perverse ; our affections are made earthly and sensual ; our conscience is stupefied ; an…
451 wordsSECTION 1121049.] The Power Of Evil Habits. 115
3. It receives aid from every thing around us — [" All that is in the world" is comprehended by the Apostle under these three designations ; " the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeV And what are these, but confederates of the evil principle within us, giving it continually fresh scope …
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" Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing k?" But we see to what lengths of wickedness men will proceed, when once these restraints are broken through ; and how they will even come at last to " glory in their shame1." Who that walk the streets with shameless impudence, or that addict them- selves to the…
476 wordsSECTION 1141049. ~] The Power Of Evil Habits. 117
that they fall. For, " can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt ? or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt q?" So if, instead of watching against temptation, we court it, and rush into it, and familiarize our- selves with it, there can be no hope but that we shall fall and per…
446 wordsSECTION 115118 Jerrmiah, Xiii. 27. [1050.
Brethren, "you must be born again, and be made new crea- tures in Christ Jesus." No power, but that which formed the universe at first, can ever make you what you ought to be ; and what you must be, if ever you would behold the face of God in peace ] 2. The difference between sin and grace, as affected by our hab…
440 wordsSECTION 1161050. J G0D Is Desirous Of Saving Men. 119
Jer. xiii. 27. Woe unto thee, 0 Jerusalem ! Wilt thou not be made clean ? When shall it once be? THROUGHOUT all the sacred writings we be- hold the goodness and severity of God : sometimes the one attracts our notice, and sometimes the other ; and in many places, as in that before us, we are struck with the union…
349 wordsSECTION 117120 Jeremiah, Xiii. 27. [1050.
[It is their sin only that exposes them to his displeasure : were that once removed, he would " rejoice over them to do them good." And whence is it that they are not cleansed from it ? Has not God provided such means for their cleans- ing, as should certainly be effectual, if only they were applied? Has he not op…
735 wordsSECTION 118122 Jeremiah, Xiv. 7. [1051.
n 2 Cor. vii. 1. with Acts xv. 9. god's name the sinner's plea. Jer. xiv. 7. 0 Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy names sake. PRAYER is both our duty and our privilege : and God often suffers trials to come upon his people, in order to stir them up to prayer, and to manifest him- …
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But are we, therefore, without hope ? By no means : for, together with these acknowledgments, we are free to offer, II. The sinner's plea — The particular request which the prophet offered is not specified : but, in accordance with the subse- quent part of his address, we may suppose it to have s Gal. v. 17. h I…
710 wordsSECTION 120124 Jeremiah, Xiv. 7. [1051.
The passage, thus opened, affords me a peculiarly fit occasion to declare, 1. What should be the effect of sin upon the soul — [That it should humble us, will be universally acknow- ledged. But to many it appears as if it were a proper ground for dejection and despondency ; and more especially when it has been co…
317 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.