PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 9 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,747 words · 533 reading sections
318 Jeremiah, Li. 10. [1089.
3. Let us, by anticipation, bless God for the yet richer mercies which he has in reserve for us — [We began with observing, that " the deliverance" from Babylon was yet distant, at least sixty years, though the pro- phet spoke of it as already accomplished. So may we look forward to the blessings which are made ov…
429 wordsSECTION 302320 Lamentations, I. 9. [1090.
Lam. i. 9. She remembereth* not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully. TO men in general nothing appears sinful but that which violates in the grossest manner some positive command, and interrupts in a very high degree the welfare of society. But God considers an unpro- fitable servant as meriting the…
659 wordsSECTION 3031090.] Not Remembering Our Latter End. 321
s Prov. xv. 32. and their establishment and increase in the land of Canaan, with their miserable condition when they were carried captive to Babylon : " How was the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed ! " Thus wonderful will be our destruction also, if we continue to forget our latter end.] God himsel…
433 wordsSECTION 304The Views Of A Saint In His Afflictions.
Lam. iii. 22, 23. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not con- sumed, because his compassions fail not. They are neiv every morning : great is thy faithfulness. IT is in affliction chiefly that the children of God attain to any considerable eminence in religion. By trouble, they are led to realize their princi…
346 wordsSECTION 3051091 J The Views Of A Saint In His Afflictions. 323
2. The multitude of the mercies yet continued to him — [An ungodly man, because he is bereaved of some com- forts, will overlook all the others which he is still privileged to possess. But a real saint will think how much worse his state might have been, and how many blessings are still continued to him. He will …
384 wordsSECTION 306324> Lamentations, Iii. 22, 23. [1091.
he kisses the rod, and blesses the hand that smites him ; and sees nothing but mercy, where an ungodly man would have noticed nothing but severity and wrath. Thus " he enjoys a light in the midst of darkness11;" and realizes the parable of Samson ; " Out of the eater he brings forth meat, and out of the strong he …
398 wordsSECTION 307The Goodness Of God To Suppliants.
anxious for the removal of your trials, as for the sanctification of them to your souls. Make but the improvement of them which is suggested in my text, and you will have reason to adore God for them as the richest blessings that could be con- ferred upon you.] Lam. iii. 25. The Lord is good unto them that wait fo…
334 wordsSECTION 308326 Lamentations, Iii. 25. [1092.
God will fill it^." Does he need direction in difficulties? God will cause him to " hear a voice behind him, saying, This is the way; walk thou in ith." Is he in deep affliction? God will afford him such a measure of support and consolation as his necessities shall require'. Does he need peculiar supplies of grace…
430 wordsSECTION 3091092.] The Goodness Of God To Suppliants. 327
on his grace. He may choose this way of weaning us from the world, of quickening us in all our duties, of advancing our attainments in the divine life, and of fitting us for greater usefulness to our fellow-sinners. He may delay his answers, so long as to make us doubt whether he has not " forgotten to be gracious…
488 wordsSECTION 310The Benefit Of Early Afflictions.
Lam. iii. 27 — 29. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope. THERE are in the Holy Scriptures many passages which appear strange and paradoxical, but which do inde…
343 wordsSECTION 3111093.] The Benefit Of Early Afflictions. 329
I. In a general point of view — David, who had had a long and early experience of troubles, confessed " it was good for him that he had been afflicted V And beyond a doubt, much benefit may be reaped, 1. From temporal afflictions — [The loss of health, of friends, of property, are heavy afflictions yet, if duly …
411 wordsSECTION 312330 Lamentations, Iii. 27—29. [1093.
[These are often very deeply felt. A person who has embraced the Gospel feels in himself a change that should rather recommend him to the favour of the world : his tem- pers, his dispositions, his habits, his conduct, are all greatly improved; and yet he finds, that he is become an object of dislike, perhaps too o…
455 wordsSECTION 3131093.] The Benefit Of Early Afflictions. 331
such views of God, of his goodness, his mercy, his power, his grace, as are acquired only in the school of affliction. It is on these occasions also that the Lord Jesus Christ particularly endears himself to our souls, and communicates to us the abundance of his grace. In persons thus instructed there is for the m…
436 wordsSECTION 314Comfort For The Afflicted.
2. Those who are called to bear the yoke — [Remember that your trials are the fruit of God's love to your souls: for "whom he loveth, he chasteneth:" and, instead of thinking your lot hard, learn to " glory in your tribulations," and to " take pleasure in your distresses6." It was not an ignorant or enthusiastic m…
351 wordsSECTION 3151094.] Comfort For The Afflicted. 333
Beyond a doubt, it is " God who causes grief" — [It is remarkable that the prophet does not merely affirm this (though that would be an ample security for the truth of the position); but he takes it for granted ; " Though he cause grief (which it must be acknowledged he does), yet will he have compassion." To this…
439 wordsSECTION 316334 Lamentations, Iii. 31—33. [1094.
destruction. But God assures us, that " he does not afflict willingly, or grieve the children of men" without necessity. There is, if I may so speak, a " needs be" for themg; some evil to be corrected, or some good to be administered. Earthly parents are sometimes led by caprice, and " correct their chil- dren for…
485 wordsSECTION 3171094.1 Comfort For The Afflicted. 335
[There can be no comfort to the soul whilst we view God as a vindictive Judge. As long as we are really desiring his favour, we are authorized to regard him as a loving Father, who seeks only the welfare of our souls. If we see a hus- bandman prune his vine, or a workman chisel his stone, or a goldsmith put his go…
510 wordsSECTION 318The Efficacy Of Prayer.
Lam. iii. 54 — 57. Waters flowed over mine head ; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the loiv dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice : hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou dreivest near in the day that I called upon thee : thou saidst, Fear not. THE Prophet Jeremiah was inf…
371 wordsSECTION 3191095. J Efficacy Of Prayer. 337
with scourges, and their feet made fast in the stocks, " had the sentence of death in themselves," and expected nothing but a speedy and a cruel death d. And we, too, are warned by our blessed Lord, that we must be ready to lay down our lives for him; and that on no other condition can we hope for a favourable acc…
494 wordsSECTION 320338 Lamentations, Iii. 54—57. [1095.
was constrained to express it only by deep sighs and ardent aspirations. Thus it was with the prophet at this time, when looking to his God with humble breathings and with fervent cries. Like Jonah at the bottom of the sea, he cried, " I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple*." No…
447 wordsSECTION 3211095.] Efficacy Of Prayer. 339
are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing : I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying : my throat is dry : mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink : let me be delivered from them that hate me, an…
457 wordsSECTION 3221096.] Commission Given To Ministers. 341
Ezek. ii. 4. Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. ASTONISHING is the patience which God has exercised in all ages towards his rebellious creatures. After their wickedness had attained such an height that he was constrained to pour out his indignation upon them at the Deluge, he still deferred his ju…
601 wordsSECTION 323342 Ezekiel, Vii. 5—9. [1097.
even our lives dear unto us, so that we may but fulfil our ministry," and be " pure from the blood of all men" The saving of souls is the work committed to us ; and we must prosecute that work, " whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear" ] Learn from hence, 1 . The importance of the ministry — [God ha…
337 wordsSECTION 324Approaching End Of God'S Forbearance.
Ezek. vii. 5 — 9. Thus saith the Lord God : An evil, an only evil, behold, is come. An end is come; the end is come: it watcheth for thee ; behold, it is come. The morning is come unto thee, 0 thou that dwellest in the land : the time is come ; the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountain…
482 wordsSECTION 325344 Ezekiel, Vii. 5—9. [1097.
Babylon, and dispersed all over the world at the destruction of their ecclesiastical and civil polity by the Romans. The time also for the day of judgment is fixed, though it is still hid in the bosom of the Father : and " the times," whether of com- munities or individuals, are altogether " in his hands."] When t…
830 wordsSECTION 326346 Ezekiel, Vii. 5—9. [1097.
That time being the commencement of a never- ending eternity, it is obvious, III. That we should spend our whole lives in pre- paration for it — What is the preparation that becomes us ? 1. We should humble ourselves before God for all our sins — [When Nineveh was warned that in forty days it should be overthro…
630 wordsSECTION 327348 Ezekiel, Viii. 15. [1098.
Ezek. viii. 15. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man ? Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. MAN is ready to complain of God's judgments, as though they were unmerited or severe. But " God will be justified in his sayings, and will overcome when he is judged a…
597 wordsSECTION 3281098.1 Hidden Abominations Exposed. 349
abominations which may be discovered from a closer inspection of, I. The world— The abominations that are visible to all are ex- ceeding great — [It is not possible to have the least intercourse with the world, and not see that iniquity abounds on every side. In truth, " the whole world lieth in wickedness," or …
364 wordsSECTION 329350 Ezekiel, Viii. 15. [1098.
dation of the whole edifice of Popery, but a compound of pride, ambition, covetousness, fraud, cruelty ? The doctrine of merit is at the root of all. The heads of that Church have no object in view but to promote their own secular interests and power. They draw from the votaries of their religion all which they ca…
485 wordsSECTION 3301098. J Hidden Abominations Exposed. 351
whilst I open the abominations of the inner court, I solemnly guard all against imputing them to religion, or thinking less favourably of religion on account of them. But it must be confessed, that, amongst religious professors, there are mul- titudes who walk unworthy of their holy profession ; multi- tudes, who …
448 wordsSECTION 331352 Ezekiel, Viii. 15. [1098.
carried away by his dissimulation0. There is no man who is not at times betrayed by it into some line of conduct, which, on a more calm and disinterested view of it, is found to have been injudicious : and we often find that the motives for which we gave ourselves credit were only a delusion of Satan, operating un…
446 wordsSECTION 3321099.1 Benefit Of Mouhning For Sin. 353
2. The forbearance of God — [What does God behold ! All the iniquity that is com- mitted upon the face of the whole earth is seen by him com- pletely, in all its bearings, and with all its aggravations. How wonderful must be his patience, that he can bear thus with us, under such an accumulated load of guilt ! We …
389 wordsSECTION 333354* Ezekiel, Ix. 4. [1099.
Ezek. ix. 4. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. THERE is in the minds of ungodly men an athe- istical idea, that God "does not r…
405 wordsSECTION 3341099.1 Benefit Of Mourning For Sin. '355
Sin is " that abominable thing which God hates :" and, as it prevailed to an awful extent at that day, so abominations of every kind yet prevail — [They prevail in the ivorld at large. We speak not now of the evils that are visible to all, but of those which are of a more hidden nature. In every order of society t…
485 wordsSECTION 335356 Ezekiel, Ix. 4. [1099.
of his mind, and sometimes bringing him into captivity to the law of sin in his members :" and the more conversant we are with our own hearts, the more we shall bewail our innume- rable short-comings and defects. Our impatience, our distrust of God, our unbelief, our obduracy, our sloth, our coldness in duties, ou…
440 wordsSECTION 3361099.] Benefit Of Mourning For Sin. 357
literal accomplishment of this prophetic vision ; obtaining liberty for Jeremiah, and others of his believing people, whilst the unbelieving part were visited with the heaviest calamities0. And at the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the disciples of Christ were rescued, as it were by miracle, from all…
458 wordsSECTION 337358 Ezekiel, Ix. 4. [1099.
one consider, what has been done to expiate sin. Go, sinner, to Gethsemane, go to Calvary, and contemplate the agonies and death of your incarnate God ; and then say, Whether sin be not a tremendous evil, for which no sighs or tears can ever be sufficient? But, without extending our thoughts to sub- jects so much …
509 wordsSECTION 338The Omniscience Of God.
Ezek. xi. 5. I know the things which come into your mind, every one of them. THERE is much of atheism in the heart of man. The language of every one, in the secret of his own bosom, is, " The Lord doth not see, neither will the Almighty regard ita." Doubtless this argues more than brutish stupidity b: but still i…
324 wordsSECTION 339360 Ezekiel, Xl 5. [1100.
that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LordV The whole of the 139th Psalm is written for the confirmation and illustration of this truth ; which Job also was persuaded of in his inmost soul : "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden …
418 wordsSECTION 3401100.1 The Omniscience Of God. 361
and all the hidden abominations which are indulged in their hearts: and yet he bears with us, and waits to be gracious to every returning penitent. O let us be sensible of our obliga- tions to him, and " let his goodness lead us to repentance k." Nor shall we be less struck with the erroneousness of the judgment w…
513 wordsSECTION 341Departure Of God From His Temple.
Have we not rendered ourselves sufficiently lothesome in the eyes of a holy God ? Let us never forget that " his very name is, Thou God seest me0." But not to act from a mere servile fear, labour to approve yourselves to God in the whole course of your lives. Let your actions, words, and thoughts be such as the he…
351 wordsSECTION 3421101.1 Departure Of God From His Temple. 363
residence between the cherubims, and descended '■' to the threshold of the house6." From thence it moved to the court of the temple, which was on the north side, whither the cherubims had already moved f. After that, it went to the door of the last gate, at- tended both by the cherubims and the wheels g. Then, la…
407 wordsSECTION 343364 Ezekiel, Xl 23. [1101.
people in the wilderness, where for forty years their conduct was one continued scene of murmuring and rebellion. Even towards the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who had imbrued their hands in the blood of their Messiah, he commanded his mes- sages of mercy to be delivered in the first place : that city which had excee…
434 wordsSECTION 3441101. J Departure Of God From His Temple. 305
go yet farther from you, and be brought back again to you with ten-fold difficulty. If you have lost the cheering pre- sence of your God, know that he has already gone " to the threshold of the house."] 2. The influences of his grace — [God is pleased to strengthen his people with might by his Spirit in their inw…
459 wordsSECTION 3453G6 Ezekiel, Xl 23. [1101.
seared as to the commission of it? Yes: there are many who are thus beguiled by Satan from the simplicity that is in Christ;" and they have reason to fear that God will speedily take his flight, and execute that threat, " If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy." Verily, " there is but a step bet…
394 wordsSECTION 3461101.] Departure Of God From His Temple. 367
0 Hos. ix. 12. 1. How are we to reconcile this doctrine with other parts of Scripture ? [It is certain that the Scriptures speak much respecting the determination of God never to forsake his people? And we believe that God will fulfil his promises, and that not one of them shall ever fail. But there are passages …
476 wordsSECTION 347Death And Eternity Near At Hand.
he contendeth with us ?" Like Jacob, we should " wrestle with him all the night, and say, I will not let thee go until thou bless me :" and, having regained his presence, we should labour constantly to " keep a conscience void of offence towards both God and man." Were we thus to exert ourselves in the first insta…
365 wordsSECTION 348H02.] Death And Eternity Near At Hand. 3G9
carried captive to Babylon. But, because there yet remained in Judaea a king of their own nation, the people who lived under him thought that he would protect them from any fresh invasion, and even libe- rate their captive brethren also from the Chaldean yoke. But they continued to rebel against God as much as ev…
331 wordsSECTION 349370 Ezekiel, Xii. 23. [1102.
But you have disregarded them, even as the Jews of old did — [Some will go so far as to say, that " these visions will fail," and never be accomplished. Others of a less daring habit, who would not venture thus flatly to contradict the word of God, will yet divest it of all its power, by supposing that it refers …
458 wordsSECTION 3501102.1 Death And Eternity Near At Hand. 371
his shoulders in their sight, and, as through excess of grief, to cover his face, so as not to see the ground ; in order to shew the people what should be done by them, both king and people, in their approaching siege and captivity0. Thus "he was to them as a sign '. And have we no sign, confirming God's word to …
447 wordsSECTION 351372 Ezekiel, Xiii. 10—12. [1103.
" He who hath the Son, hath life, and he who hath not the Son of God, hath not lifek." " The effects, too, of these visions " have been set before you, by an exhibition, so far as I was able, of all the blessedness of heaven, and of all the misery of hell. Now, then, consider these things, I pray you. Consider you…
405 wordsSECTION 3521103.] Delusive Confidence Reproved. 373
Ezek. xiii. 10 — 12. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace ; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: say unto them which daub it with untempered mor- tar, that it shall fall: there shall be an over-flowing shower ; and ye, O grea…
396 wordsSECTION 353374 Ezekiel, Xiii. 10—12. [1103.
and undeceive those whom they had so fatally led astray b. But it is not our intention to confine our remarks to that particular occasion. Similar conduct obtains amongst us at this day ; and it calls for similar reproof. We propose therefore to consider, I. Who are obnoxious to this reproof — All ranks and orde…
411 wordsSECTION 3541 103.] Delusive Confidence Reproved. 375
Let us then proceed to notice, II. The warning here given them — Their labour is, alas ! and must ever be, in vain : it will end, 1. In certain and bitter disappointment — [Their wall will surely fall : and shall it not then be said to them, " Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it ? " Sad indeed will …
407 wordsSECTION 355376 Ezekiel, Xiv. 4. [1104.
2. To self-complacent formalists — [You profess to reverence the word of God, and to com- ply with its commands: but, whilst you rest in mere forms and ceremonies of religion, you greatly err. God requires the religion of the heart : you must have " the power of godli- ness as well as its form." The wall that you …
378 wordsSECTION 3561104.1 Heart Idolatry Condemned. 377
Ezek. xiv. 4. Thus saith the Lord God : Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet ; I the Lord will ansiver him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols. IT is gratifying to see the …
430 wordsSECTION 357378 Ezekiel, Xiv. 4. [1104.
Yet they wish to be thought the Lord's people — [They would be indignant if they were accounted heathens. They suppose themselves to be Christians, notwithstanding they have not one real mark of Christianity about them. If a mere attendance on public ordinances would suffice, all were well: but if an inquiry be ma…
425 wordsSECTION 3581104. J Heart Idolatry Condemned. 379
God therefore gives them over to blindness and hardness of heart, and to the very delusions which they have chosen e. He has plainly declared, that he will do this " to those who love not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness : he will give them over to strong delusion, that they may believe a lie, and p…
378 wordsSECTION 359Mcv.
THE EFFECT OF GOD's MERCY ON THE RENEWED SOUL. Ezek. xvi. 62, 63. I will establish my covenant with thee ; and thou shall know that I am the Lord : that thou may est remem- ber, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done, s…
346 wordsSECTION 3601105.] God'S Mercy On The Renewed Soul. 381
in delineating it ; and a full consideration of it is necessary, in order to the obtaining of a right under- standing of our text. We propose then, from a view of our text as connected with the whole chapter, to set before you, I. The extent of man's wickedness — We will give, in the first place, a brief summary …
449 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.