PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 9 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,747 words · 533 reading sections
126 Jeremiah, Xiv. 7. [1051.
for humiliation, but not for discouragement. In our first con- version to God, we must come as the chief of sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in him as both able and willing to save us to the uttermost. And is there any other way for us to come to God at a subsequent period ? I know of none. Whether ou…
495 wordsSECTION 122A Pattern For National Humiliation3.
with us u." The truth is, that God has solemnly engaged that " he will not cast out one who comes to him in his Son's name* ;" and sooner shall " heaven and earth pass away, than one jot or tittle of his word shall fail."] " ver. 20, 21. * John vi. 37. Jer. xiv. 7 — 9. 0 Lord, though our iniquities testify against…
316 wordsSECTION 123128 Jeremiah, Xiv. 7—9. [1052.
[" We have sinned against God " as much as any people upon earth : " our backslidings have been very many," and " our iniquities do indeed testify against us." Look through the land ; see what profaneness everywhere abounds ! We have indeed professed on many solemn fast-days to repent, and turn unto the Lord ; but…
435 wordsSECTION 1241052.1 A Pattern For National Humiliation. 129
sight appear expressive of too great familiarity, are indeed the genuine effusions of a contrite soul — ] Let us approach our God in terms of like import — [To whom can we look as our " Hope," but Jehovah ? and who but he has been our " Saviour in times of trouble?" But, alas ! He is at present but as " a stranger…
440 wordsSECTION 125130 Jeremiah, Xiv. 20, 21. [1053.
professedly cast off their allegiance to hime, we glory in being " called by his name." In this view we may plead his presence witli us, and his relation to us ; yet not in a spirit of proud boasting, but of humble and thankful acknowledgment. And the more God is honoured in the midst of us, the more may we expect…
379 wordsSECTION 1261053.3 How To Plead With God. 131
Jer. xiv. 20, 21. We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers : for we have sinned against thee. Do not abhor us, for thy names sake ; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory : remember, break not thy covenant with us. " LORD, teach us to pray," was the request of the Apostles to their…
409 wordsSECTION 127132 Jeremiah, Xiv. 20, 21. [1053.
[Being exceedingly earnest in his petitions, he offers the most powerful pleas that could possibly be urged : he entreats God to have mercy on them for his own sake, and to shew regard to the honour of his name, the glory of his administra- tion, and the sanctity of his engagements. The first of these pleas, the h…
505 wordsSECTION 1281053.] How To Plead With God. 13
This covenant God had engaged never to break r ; and therefore the prophet urged the inviolability of it as a motive with God to fulfil to his people, notwithstanding their unworthiness, all which of his own grace and mercy he had promised to them. In this view God himself had promised to regard his covenant8: and…
455 wordsSECTION 129134- Jeremiah, Xiv. 20, 21. [1053.
encouragement can we want, if we only contemplate God as he is revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures ? As a mighty Sove- reign, his grace is his own, and he may grant it to whomsoever he will ; yea, and his sovereignty will be the more displayed and glorified, in the communication of grace to the very chief of sin…
488 wordsSECTION 130The Word Of God Precious.
refuse an answer to a broken-hearted suppliant. He may answer in a way that we do not expect : or he may delay his answer with a view to our greater good : but as he has promised to grant such petitions as are offered up in faith, so will we affirm, in the presence of the whole universe, that " every one that aske…
341 wordsSECTION 131136 Jeremiah, Xv. 16. [1054.
" was unto him the joy and rejoicing of his heart." Under the Gospel dispensation, ministers are sent, not so much to thunder out anathemas against the rebel- lious world, as to proclaim to them " glad tidings of great joy." And the scope of the inspired writings, as now collected into one volume, is to encourage …
401 wordsSECTION 1321054.] The Word Of God Precious. 137
of us : and we must all study it for ourselves, receiving its testimony with a believing heart, and submitting both our reason and our passions to its enlightening and sanctifying influence.] 2. It is suitable to all — [In the sacred oracles there is " milk for babes, and strong meat" for those of an adult agee. …
456 wordsSECTION 133138 Jeremiah, Xv. 16. [1054.
As the roll, when eaten by Ezekiel, was as honey in his mouth, so to Jeremiah " the word was the joy and rejoicing of his heart." In a man that is impenitent and unbelieving, we acknowledge that the word is calcu- lated to inspire terror : but to one that is of a peni- tent and contrite spirit, it speaks nothing b…
445 wordsSECTION 1341054.] The Word Of God Precious. 139
[These are justly called by the Apostle " exceeding great and precious," more especially because " by them we are made partakers of a divine nature1," and are enabled to cleanse our- selves from all filthiness both of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of Godm." Who can declare a thousandth …
464 wordsSECTION 135140 Jeremiah, Xv. 16. [1054.
never read at all. Now what folly is this ! What man in his senses, when navigating his ship amongst rocks and quick- sands, neglects to consult his chart ? Yet, as if there were no dangers in the Christian's way, or no great evil to be incurred by negligence, the generality are quite indifferent about that book w…
520 wordsSECTION 136The Duty Of Trusting In God.
his soul delight itself in fatness s." Let us bless God then, who has put it into the hearts of so many to provide for us such ample supplies of this invaluable treasure : and let us all, according to our ability, labour to promote the designs of a Society, which is the most honourable to God, and most useful to m…
362 wordsSECTION 137142 Jeremiah, Xvii. 5—8. [1055.
The true Christian " trusts in the Lord, and makes the Lord his hope" — [He trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ as the God of provi- dence : he commits his affairs to him, expecting his promised aid. He trusts also in Jesus as the God of grace : he renounces all hope in his own goodness or resolutions : he cordially a…
379 wordsSECTION 1381056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 143
ness: and this too amidst all his boasted fulness0. The believer " shall be as a tree planted by the waters," &c. ; he shall be made flourishing and happy by rich supplies of grace d.] Unmixed — [The unbeliever " shall not see when good cometh :" he receives none of the heavenly dew that falls around him. The bel…
348 wordsSECTION 139144 Jeremiah, Xvii. 9. [1056.
Jer. xvii. 9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and despe- rately wicked : tvho can know it ? A MORE important subject than that before us cannot occupy the human mind. The knowledge of ourselves is fundamental to all true knowledge of religion. Religion is no longer to us what it was to man in his primeva…
373 wordsSECTION 1401056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 145
ness of the heart than the power it possesses to hide its deceits from us. But, that we may present some- what of its deceitfulness to your view, we will dis- tinctly mark it in the three following particulars : It misrepresents the nature of all things ; It keeps out of view their tendency ; And It deceives, not…
336 wordsSECTION 141146 Jeremiah, Xvii. 9. [1056.
revenge, are held forth as noble and honourable ; whilst the virtues of humility, meekness, forbearance, and forgiveness, are despised, as indications of a weak and cowardly disposition. As formerly neither the Greeks nor Romans had a word in their language whereby to express the true notion of humility, so now t…
351 wordsSECTION 1421056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 147
chains which have been forged by the great destroyer of mankind. Ask any man who feels the burthen and the bitterness of sin, whether, when committing it, he had any idea of its tendency to distress the soul, and to create, as it were, a very hell within him ? He will tell you, that, in following his lusts, he dr…
389 wordsSECTION 143148 Jeremiah, Xvii. 9. [1056.
except the heart : but he, when he is deceiving, is conscious that he is deceiving : he does not for a moment imagine that he is speaking truth : but the heart persuades itself that it is not guilty of any im- position : it is as confident of its own integrity, as if it were really upright ; and as fully convinced…
364 wordsSECTION 1441056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 149
the obliquity of them, whilst the actors themselves imagine themselves actuated by the purest feelings. Justly therefore is it said by Him who cannot err, that " the heart is deceitful above all things" not excepting even Satan himself, the great deceiver of mankind. We are now to consider, II. The wickedness of…
347 wordsSECTION 145150 Jeremiah, Xvii. 9. [1056.
its most sanguine advocates can imagine, still we must all adopt for ourselves the confession of St. Paul, " In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." We are aware that this may appear to go beyond the truth : but, if any be disposed to entertain such an opinion, we would ask, What is the meaning of th…
372 wordsSECTION 1461056.] Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 151
has God said, " Who, except the heart-searching God, can know it ?" But once more ; — It is incurably evil. Whether or not, as some have thought, this is the precise import of the word, it is plain that the idea is strongly con- veyed in our translation, as it stands. Verily our case, as to any human remedies at …
700 wordsSECTION 1471056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 153
8 2 Cor. v. 17. h The benefits arising from baptism are great, even as those were which arose from circumcision. See Rom. ix. 4, 5. But we must not confound a change of state with a change of nature. The neglecting to make this distinction is the foundation of all the errors which have arisen on this subject. See …
449 wordsSECTION 148154 Jeremiah, Xvii. 9. [1056.
Jesus Christ, " Saviour :" let us rely upon him as our Saviour : let us trust in his blood and righteousness as the only meritorious ground of our hope : and let us glory in him, as " all our salvation, and all our desire." Lastly, Let us see from hence, The importance of self-diffidence and self-distrust — Ther…
373 wordsSECTION 1491056.1 Necessity Of Knowing Ourselves. 155
the test of Scripture. It is certain that many do be- lieve a lie ; and are given over to it by God, as the punishment of their presumption. What the Apostle says respecting this, is so awful, that I almost tremble to repeat his words : yet as they are the words of God himself, I trust you will hear them, not only…
403 wordsSECTION 150Ml Vii.
God. For even St. Paul felt this to be necessary : ft Though I know nothing by myself," says he, " yet am I not hereby justified ; but he that judgeth me is the Lord." There may be self-deceit in us, even when we are least aware of it : and therefore with all our might we should guard against it, lest we find out…
773 wordsSECTION 151158 Jeremiah, Xvii. 10. [1057.
b Prov. xv. 3. c 1 Cor. x. 31. d Ps. xi. 4. e Prov. xvi. 2. f 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. s Luke ix. 54. 2. He records every thing in the book of his re- membrance— [The thoughts as well as the words of men are recorded in this bookh; and out of these books shall they be judged'. Indeed, they are all " sealed up, as it w…
815 wordsSECTION 152The Potter'S Power Over The Clay.
2. What encouragement is here afforded to the righteous ! [Not a day or an hour passes without adding to your hap- piness in the eternal world. The least thing which you do for God shall be rewarded ; and every trial that you sustain for him, be recompensed. Moses " looked to the recompence of the reward ;" and t…
658 wordsSECTION 153162 Jeremiah, Xx. 9. [1059.
II. What effect the consideration of it should produce upon us — Every perfection of the Deity should occasion some correspondent emotion in our hearts. The thought of his unbounded power over us should produce in us, 1. A holy fear — [What our deserts are, both individually and collectively, none can doubt. To …
516 wordsSECTION 1541059. J A Soul Under Discouragement. 163
Jer. xx. 9. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones ; and I was weary with forbearing , and I could not stay. IF we would see the corruption of human nature in its true light, we should look at it, not merely …
486 wordsSECTION 155164 Jeremiah, Xx. 9. [1059.
actual suffering ; whereas, the promise referred only to final victory : and, under this disappointment, he determined to " make no more mention of God, and to speak no more in his name." Now, somewhat of a similar spirit is apt to prevail in us, when we labour under discouragement — 1. In our efforts for the goo…
420 wordsSECTION 1561059. J A Soul Under Discouragement. 1G5
might at last succeed in bringing his audience to re- pentance. And thus will grace work in every soul, even under the deepest discouragements. It will operate, 1. To shame our querulous impatience — [When David had given vent to querulous and unbeliev- ing expressions, he corrected himself, and acknowledged that…
424 wordsSECTION 157The Lord Our Righteousness.
1. Expect discouragements in every part of your duty— [Who amongst the saints was ever exempt from them ? and who is not taught to expect them? They are God's ap- pointed means for trying our faith and love, and for increasing every divine grace within us. If we are soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must expect confli…
308 wordsSECTION 1581060.1 The Lord Our Righteousness. 167
1. His essential dignity — [There is frequent occasion to observe that, wherever the word Lord is printed in large characters, it is in the original Jehovah. Now Jehovah denotes the self-existence of the Deity, and is a name incommunicable to any creature : yet is it here assigned to Christ. By comparing similar d…
410 wordsSECTION 159168 Jeremiah, Xxiii. C. [1060.
[To compliment Christ with any titles which we do not believe due to him, would be to insult him, like those who arrayed him in mock majesty, and cried, Hail, King of the Jews ! We must fully believe him to be God : we must be persuaded that we neither have, nor can have, any righteous- ness of our own : and we mu…
455 wordsSECTION 1601060.] The Lord Our Righteousness. 169
and to the Lamb," we must have ascribed it to God and to ourselves. Are we then to be saved by faith and works? We still an- swer, No : for in whatever degree we trust in our own works, in that degree do we rob Christ of his official dignity ; and assume to ourselves the honour due to him alone. As far as our own…
505 wordsSECTION 161The Omnipresence Of God.
in sin that grace may abound ? God forbid." An inspired writer assures us that " the grace of God which bringeth sal- vation teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world." Let us then seek our righteousness in Christ alone ; but let us shew by …
332 wordsSECTION 1621061.] The Omnipresence Of God. 171
be, he must be perfect ; but if he be circumscribed by space, he must be imperfect ; he must be ignorant of those things which he cannot behold, and impotent in respect of those things which he cannot reach.] Consult Scripture — [The sacred records testify that he is in heaven; for "he dwelleth in the high and ho…
410 wordsSECTION 163172 Jeremiah, Xxiii. 24. [1061.
detection11. Sinners of every description commit in secret what they would not dare to perpetrate, if they knew that the eyes of their fellow-creatures were upon them. But whence is this, unless from the atheistical conceit that God is not privy to their actions, or from an utter forgetfulness of his presence? Such…
517 wordsSECTION 164Fidelity Required In Ministers.
strong :" for " if God be for them, who shall be against them?" Only let them " acknowledge him in all their ways," and depend upon him in all their trials, and they need not fearq; for " his eyes shall run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in their behalf1-."] i Ps. xlvi. 1,2. r 2 Chro…
332 wordsSECTION 165174 Jeremiah, Xxiii. 28, 29. [1062.
1. Unreservedly, without concealment — [We must " declare unto our people the whole counsel of Goda," and " not keep back from them any thing that can be profitable unto themV We are at liberty indeed to con- sider what is suited to the state of our hearers, and what they are capable of receiving0. Our object must…
483 wordsSECTION 1661062.1 Fidelity Required In Ministers. 175
boldly all that God had commanded, lest he should, in just indignation for their cowardice, confound them before their people n. We must expect to meet with opposition : for who, amongst the Prophets or Apostles, ever escaped it? Even our blessed Lord himself, with all his wisdom and grace, was an object of hatred…
452 wordsSECTION 167176 Jeremiah, Xxiii. 28, 29. [1062.
[God's word, if faithfully declared, is " quick and power- ful, and sharper than a two-edged sword". " Let any one, that has ever noticed its effects, say, whether it is not " like fire," which dissolves the hardest metal ; and " like a hammer, which breaks in pieces" even adamant itself. Go to the populous city o…
491 wordsSECTION 1681063.1 Religion Not A Source Of Evil. 177
is no other foundation on which any man can build," " nor any other name given under heaven whereby any man can be saved." In addition to this, I must also require obedience, even a spiritual, cheerful, unreserved obedience to every com- mand of God And in the name of Almighty God I declare, that "without works al…
345 wordsSECTION 169178 Jeremiah, Xxv. 5, 6. [1063.
RELIGION IS NOT A SOURCE OF EVIL TO THOSE WHO EM- BRACE IT. Jer. xxv. 5, 6. Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings And I will do you no hurt. SIN is the greatest of all evils; because it is the source from which all evils flow. Nor can the mise- ries which it has introduc…
414 wordsSECTION 1701063.1 Religion Not A Source Of Evil. 179
True it is, that these persons have more specious grounds on which to vindicate their conduct, inasmuch as it seems nearly allied to prudence and diligence. Still, however, while we highly approve of those virtues, we cannot but condemn a worldly spirit as evil ; since it is declared to be incompatible with the lo…
420 wordsSECTION 171180 Jeremiah, Xxv. 5, G. [1063.
and apprehensions, it will be found to contain the richest consolation. In this view, we observe, God will do us no hurt in respect of, 1. Our intellect — [When we begin in earnest to be religious, our friends are ready to suppose that we are, or shall soon be, beside ourselves f: nor can we altogether wonder at …
459 wordsSECTION 1721063. J Religion Not A Source Of Evil. 181
and contempt ; and though something may be gained by pru- dence, or conceded to us on account of our celebrity in learning, there is no religious person that occupies the same place in the estimation of the world that he would do if he were not religious. If our Lord himself was " despised and rejected of menm," a…
466 wordsSECTION 173182 Jeremiah, Xxv. 5, 6. [1063.
with power to their souls, or " the love of God be shed abroad in their hearts," have they not a very foretaste of heaven upon earth ? Compare their state with that of others, on a dying bed : follow them in the instant of their departure from the body : see them welcomed to the bosom of their Lord : con- template…
456 wordsSECTION 174God Will Be Found Of Sincere Worshippers.
Jer. xxix. 11 — 13. / know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your h…
354 wordsSECTION 175184 Jeremiah, Xxix. 11—13. [1064.
the world began a ? Yea, who can tell, but that, at this mo- ment, some careless sinner is the object of his special attention, and that this is the very hour, wherein his merciful designs shall be matured and executed?] These thoughts of his shall all in due season be accomplished — [It may be a long time before…
415 wordsSECTION 1761064.] G0D Will Be Found Of Sincere Worshippers. 185
still says, " Nevertheless I will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for theme." We do not say that he never devi- ates from this method of conveying his mercies ; for sometimes "he is found of them that sought him not, and known to them that inquired not after himf:" But the earnestness with which thi…
453 wordsSECTION 177186 Jeremiah, Xxix. 11—13. [1064.
trace all our inclination and ability for what is good to God, who, in the prosecution of his eternal purposes, imparts both the one and the other to our soulsk. Let us learn, then, to acknowledge him in all that we have received, and to look to him for all that we want. And let the hope, that there may yet be in …
427 wordsSECTION 178Mlxv.
god's gracious designs towards his chosen people. Jer. xxx. 10, 11. Fear thou not, 0 my servant Jacob, saith the Lord ; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity ; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest and be quiet, and none shall make h…
356 wordsSECTION 179188 Jeremiah, Xxx. 10, 11. [1065.
[There is certainly mercy in reserve for them : " their yoke has never been so broken from their neck, but that stran- gers have served themselves of themd," and do still oppress them. A season of happiness awaits them, such as they never experienced in their most prosperous days : " they shall be at rest, and be …
656 wordsSECTION 180188 Jeremiah, Xxx. 10, 11. [1065.
[His chastening hand may have been upon us ; but the consolations and supports with which he has favoured us have almost changed the very nature of our afflictions. Besides, he has, like a skilful Refiner, apportioned our trials to our neces- sities ; and always either increased our strength to sustain them, or pr…
634 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.