PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 9 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 243,747 words · 533 reading sections
1119.1 God'S Mercies Not Given For Our Merits. 417
is no just ground for our vain conceit : it is even with considerable indignation that he reminds us of it in the words before us. We need to be well instructed in this matter, 1. That we may be led to humility — [The knowledge of ourselves is indispensably necessary to the attainment of humility : but we must be…
432 wordsSECTION 422Universal Restoration Of The Jews.
ledge God's right to " do what he will with his own™ ;" and abase ourselves before him, as " less than the least of all his mercies11."] 2. Let us be thankful that, however unworthy we are, there is a Saviour whose worthiness we may plead before him — [Though God will not do any thing for our sake, yet he will f…
394 wordsSECTION 4231120.]] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 449
effected, it will be by some miraculous interposition, like that which took place at their deliverance from Egypt : and hence all attempts to convert them to Christianity are thought nugatory at least, if not presumptuous. In opposition to these discouraging apprehensions, which would paralyze all exertions in th…
365 wordsSECTION 424450 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
weaknesses and wants of men. His people were slow of heart to understand his word ; and there- fore he " gave them line upon line, and precept upon precept," and exhibited truth to them under every form, if so be they might be able to receive it at last, and to obtain the blessings which he held forth to them in …
376 wordsSECTION 4251120.] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 451
And David my servant shall be king over them ; and they shall have one Shepherd"." These things have never yet been fulfilled ; but they shall be fulfilled in their season. What though the Jews be like dry bones scattered over the face of the whole earth ? Shall any word that God has spoken respecting them fall t…
320 wordsSECTION 426452 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
till their final dispersion by the Romans. It really appears incredible, that, with the Holy Scriptures in their hands, and with the life and miracles of our blessed Lord exhibited before their eyes, they could evince such malignant dispositions towards him, and with such deliberate cruelty imbrue their hands in …
364 wordsSECTION 4271120.J Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 453
Another obstacle in their way is the contempt in which they are held. It had been foretold by Moses concerning them, that they should " become an astonishment and a proverb, and a bye-word among all nations0 ;" and such they have been ever since their dispersion by the Romans. There is not a quarter of the globe …
368 wordsSECTION 428454 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
means for the salvation of their souls. They are not allowed even the contingent benefits of social inter- course with us : the wall of partition which God has broken down in his Gospel, is built up by us ; as if by general consent they were proscribed, and debarred all access to the light that we enjoy. Their fat…
372 wordsSECTION 4291120.] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 455
saying, " Our bones are dried ; our hope is lost ; we are cut off for our parts : " may they not with far greater propriety adopt the same language now? and may not we regard all attempts for their con- version as altogether hopeless, even as hopeless as the resuscitation of dry bones, that have been for ages cru…
363 wordsSECTION 430456 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
this true of the laity only : even those who bear the ministerial office are by no means so well instructed in the points at issue between the Jews and us, as to be competent to the task of entering into controversy with the more learned Jews. Even those ministers who have somewhat of a deeper insight into the my…
378 wordsSECTION 4311120.1 Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 457
our own supineness. Where has God told us that he will convert them without means ? He did not do so even on the day of Pentecost. He has commanded that " his Gospel should be preached in all the world, to every creature." Where has he made them an exception ? This I say, then, that our duty towards them is, to u…
388 wordsSECTION 432458 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
immured, and for the introducing of them into the light and liberty of God's dear children. True it is, we may without any saving influences of the Spirit effect a previous work, like that of bringing together the kindred bones, and causing the flesh and skin to come upon them : but God alone can breathe life int…
362 wordsSECTION 4331120.] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 459
said, and shall he not do it ? hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Tell me, Did he not bring out his people from Egypt at the appointed time ? Yes, " at the self-same hour did he bring them forth, with a mighty hand, and a stretched-out arm." In like manner he delivered them also in due season from Bab…
386 wordsSECTION 434He Wrought Effectually As Soon As The Means
used the appointed means ; and the other is, that were used. This is twice noticed by the prophet in the verses following my text : " So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, the bones came together:'" and again, " So I prophesied as he com- manded me ; and the breath came into them, and they live…
353 wordsSECTION 4351120.] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 4G1
fears are only excuses for their own supineness : they have no compassion for their perishing fellow-crea- tures, no zeal for the honour of their God, and there- fore they cry, " A lion is in the way." But this is a very unworthy recompence for all the exertions which the Jews of former ages made for us. What if …
385 wordsSECTION 436462 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
in a foreign country, and the other is at this moment arising in our own. In Russia, God has raised up a friend for his people, another Cyrus, in the head of that vast empire ; who has assigned one, if not more places in his dominions, where the Jews who shall embrace Christianity may find a safe asylum, and enjo…
379 wordsSECTION 4371120.] Universal Restoration Of The Jews. 463
represents " the fulness of the Jews as being the riches of the Gentiles"1." It is the commencement, and not the completion, of the in-gathering of the Gentiles, that marks the season for the conversion of the Jews : and therefore the stir which there is at this moment amongst the Gentile world, is, amongst other…
343 wordsSECTION 438464 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.
cannot possibly be done without it : funds will be raised ; and many will be stirred up to join with you, who would neither have inclination nor ability to do much in a way of solitary effort : and, if God has given to any one a talent of wealth or influence, let him improve it to the uttermost. It is scarcely to …
401 wordsSECTION 4391121.1 Souls Quickened By The Gospel. 4G5
to live above the things of time and sense, and to look forward with joy to the eternal world; what is it, I say, but a hope, that you stand in this near relation to a reconciled God, and a persuasion, that that Saviour, whose you are and whom you serve, will bruise Satan under your feet, and make you more than c…
266 wordsSECTION 440466 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 11—13. [1121.
Ezek. xxxvii. 11 — 13. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel : behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, 0 my people, I will open your graves, and cause you…
464 wordsSECTION 4411121.] Souls Quickened By The Gospel. 467
[By the sound of rams' horns he overthrew Jericho: by the stroke of Elijah's mantle he parted the waters of Jordan : so, by the preaching of his Gospel he quickens the dead.] He commands his power and grace to be pro- claimed— [He is an almighty, all-sufficient God. He promises pardon to all who seek it in his ap…
339 wordsSECTION 442The Sticks Of Judah And Of Ephraim Joined.
then grow weary of attending them : let us use them with a dependence on God for his blessing.] 2. What care has God taken to encourage despond- ing sinners ! [No state can be worse than this represented in the text™ ; yet God has shewn how he could overrule the heart of Cyrus to proclaim liberty, and of his own …
689 wordsSECTION 4434T0 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 15—22. [1122.
His words will lead us to contemplate, I. The event predicted — The sign itself, just like the blossoming of Aaron's rod, whilst all the others retained their own proper form without any such alteration, was a convincing proof, that the prophet both spake and acted under a divine commission. The causing of two st…
548 wordsSECTION 4441122.] Sticks Of Judaii And Of Epiiraim Joined. 471
shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry- shod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria ; like as it was to Israel, in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt V] 2. The union of them all under Christ as their common Head — [Never h…
480 wordsSECTION 445472 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 15—22. [1122.
jjeople from the foundation of the world ; avouching himself to be their God, and them to be his peculiar people11. And again, at the latter-day will his manifestations of himself to them be not a whit less bright and glorious, insomuch that all the nations of the world shall be constrained to acknowledge them as …
418 wordsSECTION 4461122.1 Sticks Of Judah And Of Ephraim Joined. 473
are particularly told, that the redemption from Egypt will then no longer be mentioned, by reason of the more glorious deliverance which will be vouchsafed unto them.] 2. What a proof of his veracity ! [God promised to Abraham and his descendants the full and entire possession of the land of Canaan: yet it was fou…
456 wordsSECTION 447474 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 15—22. [1122.
cast off from God on account of their impieties. How asto- nishing, then, will the freeness and richness of God's grace appear, when he shall take these persons from their dispersion, revealing himself to them, bringing them forth from every corner of the earth, manifesting the Saviour to them, and returning himse…
454 wordsSECTION 448The Stone That Became A Mountain.
as in his temple of old : be ye altogether a people unto him, and let him be your God and portion for ever. These bless- ings will characterize the Millennial age, and be vouchsafed in a more abundant measure to his people that shall hereafter return unto him: yet are they to be enjoyed at this present hour by all…
356 wordsSECTION 4491123."] The Stone That Became A Mountain. 477
1. The time and manner of its establishment— [The time of its establishment is here clearly marked. The Babylonish, Persian, and Grecian monarchies, were to rise in succession, each on the ruins of that which preceded it; and at last the Roman empire was to swallow up, as it were, and comprehend them all. And "in …
473 wordsSECTION 450478 Daniel, Ii. 44. [1123.
in the vision by " the stone becoming a mountain, and this mountain filling the earth." Christianity is to prevail over the whole earth. The idolatries of Pagan Rome yielded to the sublimer principles of the Gospel ; and the superstitions of antichrist, which for a long season obscured divine truth, have in a meas…
429 wordsSECTION 4511123.1 The Stone That Became A Mountain. 479
But whether we be professed infidels or merely nominal Chris- tians, the subject before us is highly proper for our considera- tion. Whence came this marvellous correspondence between the predictions and the accomplishment of them, if Christianity be not of divine original ? was it not established at the very time…
411 wordsSECTION 452The Hebrew Youths In The Fiery Furnace.
Dan. iii. 28. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's tvord, and yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. A BRI…
316 wordsSECTION 4531124.1 Hebrew Youths In The Fiery Furnace- 481
the king's mercy. They were also under peculiar obligations to the king, who had educated them at his own expense, and had even invested them with authority over whole provinces of his native subjects. These considerations were calculated to operate strongly on their minds, and to render them somewhat less scrupul…
465 wordsSECTION 454482 Daniel, Iii. 28. [1124.
II. Their recompence — The judgment threatened was, that they should be cast into a burning fiery furnace : and the command was instantly given, that it should be executed upon them. But behold how God interposed for them ! 1. Whilst it was executing — [The mightiest men in all the army were selected to exe- cut…
431 wordsSECTION 4551124.1 Hebrew Youths In The Fiery Furnace. 483
that not so much as the smell of fire had passed on them. The fire that had consumed their bands, and destroyed their persecutors, had had no power at all over them ; so that the king, who had just before persecuted unto death the adherents of Jehovah, now forbade, under the severest penalties, that a single word …
472 wordsSECTION 456484 Daniel, Iii. 28. [1124.
no divine influence, complied at once with the order that was issued. So it is with men amongst ourselves. Whatever has the sanction of the great, whether it be good or bad, is fol- lowed ; and no one dares to stem the torrent of iniquity which overflows the land. But men who are renewed in the spirit of their min…
508 wordsSECTION 457Mcxxv.
Nebuchadnezzar's dream verified and improved. Dan. iv.34 — 37. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me : and I blessed the Most High ; and I praised and honoured him that livethfor ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his …
383 wordsSECTION 458486 Daniel, Iv. 34—37. [1125.
the space of seven years, when he should again be restored to his former state of magnificence and power. The Chaldean magicians being unable to interpret this dream, Daniel was sent for ; and he interpreted it to the king, in all its parts. The im- port of it was, that the king was to be reduced to the state of …
655 wordsSECTION 459488 Daniel, Iv. 34—37. [1125.
II. He adores God for his dispensations towards himself — [These had been beyond measure humiliating: yet he speaks of them in the beginning of this chapter with wonder and admiration : " I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the High God hath wrought toward me : how great are his signs! and how mi…
710 wordsSECTION 460488 Daniel, Iv. 34—37. [1125.
s Isai. lxv. 5. 1125.1 Nebuchadnezzar's dream verified. 489 " love to have the pre-eminence ;" and are never so happy as when they are setting forth their gifts, and passing judgment upon all that they see and hear. Self-sufficiency and self-con- ceit, self-seeking, and self-applause, are their characteristic fea…
470 wordsSECTION 461490 Daniel, Iv. 34—37. [1125.
2. To be thankful for that fidelity that strives to put them on their guard against it — [Nebuchadnezzar, though he did not reform his life, was not angry with Daniel for interpreting to him faithfully the vision he had seen. This is not always the case, especially when the sin of pride is pointed out : we are the…
383 wordsSECTION 462Belshazzar Warned Of His Impending Ruin.
Dan. v. 5, 6. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and tvrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace : and the king saw the part of the hand that tvrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins …
653 wordsSECTION 463112G.1 Belshazzar Warned Of His Ruin. 493
II. His anxious inquiries — [" He cried aloud to bring in all the magicians," that he might inquire of them the import of what was written : and when they were unable to give a satisfactory reply, he was induced to send for Daniel, who on former occasions had expounded the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, but had since b…
651 wordsSECTION 464494 Daniel, V. 5, G. [1126.
c Acts ii. 37, 38, 46, 47. and xvi. 26—30, 34. d 1 Kings xxi. 27. e Acts viii. 24. follows it; no godly sorrow is produced in the soul; no humiliation before God; no cries for mercy; no departure from iniquity. But, if we thus " harden ourselves against God, can we prosper ? " No : " he that being often reproved …
481 wordsSECTION 4651127.] Impenitence Reproved. 495
3. The blessedness of an interest in Christ — [Whatever " hand-writing there is against us " in the Scriptures of truth, Christ has " blotted it out, and taken it out of the way, nailing it, as a cancelled bond, unto his cross f." Search the sacred volume from one end to the other, and not one word will be found m…
346 wordsSECTION 466496 Daniel, V. 22. [1127.
IMPENITENCE reproved. Dan. v. 22. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou kneivest all this. AMONGST the endowments of a pious minister, two of the most important are, disinterestedness and fidelity. A man who is " looking to his own gain," or is afraid to " declare the whole cou…
414 wordsSECTION 4671 12T. Impenitence Reproved. 497
again, and to the exercise of his regal functions; yea, and brought him, also, to the possession of real piety, and ultimately to the enjoyment of a far nobler kingdom. And has he not given to us the same advantage ? Yes, and one far greater: for he has made known to us, 1. His indignation against sin; not in on…
449 wordsSECTION 468498 Daniel, V. 22. [1127.
atom upon the face of the globe, except in those whose ini- quities have been purged in the blood of our Incarnate God. We need only consult our own experience, and we must bear testimony to this distressing fact. And what does all this declare ? It declares that sin, in whomsoever it exists, is an object of God's…
454 wordsSECTION 4691127.] Impenitence Reproved. 499
II. How little improvement we have made of them — What effect Belshazzar's knowledge ought to have produced upon him is here plainly declared. It should have led him to humble his soul before God. But it had been unproductive of any good : " he had not humbled his heart, though he knew all this." The revels, in w…
433 wordsSECTION 470500 Daniel, V. 22. [1127.
Where do we hear persons bewailing their past iniquities, and crying mightily unto God for mercy? Say, is this common? Say, is it not uncommon ? Is it not very rare ? If you hear of two or three awakened to a sense of their undone con- dition, you are ready to congratulate the minister and the Church of God on an …
457 wordsSECTION 4711128.] Belshazzar'S Impiety And Ours Compared. 501
ing to the ability which God has given me, I have " ministered unto you faithfully the Gospel of Christ," " not keeping back any one thing that would have been profitable unto you." You therefore have much to answer for. And the words which have been spoken to you, " if they be not unto you a savour of life unto l…
385 wordsSECTION 472502 Daniel, V. 23. [1128.
belshazzar's impiety and ours compared. Dan. v. 23. The God in tvhose hand thy breath is, and ivhose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. WHEN we look around us, and see what iniquity prevails in the earth, we are ready to imagine that God does not notice the affairs of men, or take any interest in their co…
707 wordsSECTION 473504 Daniel, V. 23. [1128.
Yet, like him, have we also forgotten to " glorify our God "— [Though " we have known God, yet have we not glori- fied him as God1." We have not " given him glory by re- jjentance" though that would have honoured him in a very especial manner™. Nor have we honoured him by the exercise of faith though that also wo…
778 wordsSECTION 474504 Daniel, V. 23. [1128.
3. Our responsibility to him is more manifest — [Of a resurrection from the dead, and a future judg- ment, that unhappy monarch must have had a very indistinct notion. But we are as assured of these things as if they were at this moment exhibited before our eyes. We know that God has appointed a day " wherein he w…
277 wordsSECTION 475506 Daniel, V. 23. [1128.
their state as if there were no God to call them into judgment But, Brethren, this is a most awful infatuation. You do not wonder that King Belshazzar trembled, so that " the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another, when he saw the hand-writing upon the wall : but do you not wonder…
494 wordsSECTION 476Scripture Balances.
Dan. v. 27. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. THE words before us were uttered in reference to a single individual, Belshazzar, king of Babylon, whose open acts most fully attested the truth of the allegation contained in them. But God discerns the heart, and weighs every man in his unerrin…
345 wordsSECTION 477508 Daniel, V. 27. [1129.
amongst us has ever, for one single moment, come up to it ? The light of a glow-worm actually approaches nearer to the splendour of the sun in the firmament, than our obedience has done to that which is required of us. To say that " we are found wanting," is to say nothing. Verily, if weighed in this balance, the …
503 wordsSECTION 4781129.1 Scripture Balances. 509
God with a willing mind, he will " not be extreme to mark what is done amiss ;" but will be " well pleased with our sacrifices," notwithstanding the imperfection of them, and will vouchsafe to confer upon us a recompence of reward e. Now, then, let us inquire how far we comply with the gra- cious terms of the Gosp…
451 wordsSECTION 479510 Daniel, V. 27. [1129.
contrary, the more sensible we are of our defects, the more hopeful is our state before God. Let us then search out our defects to the uttermost ; and then learn from them, 1. To be thankful for the Gospel — [O ! what glad tidings does the Gospel proclaim ! Sal- vation ! Salvation for sinners, even the chief! Sal…
818 wordsSECTION 480512 Daniel, V. 30. [1130.
belshazzar's death. Dan. v. 30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. " KNOWN unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." We speak of things as for- tuitous and contingent, because we see not the hand by which they are directed ; but, in reality, there is nothing continge…
848 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.