PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 10 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,947 words · 591 reading sections
254 Jonah, I. 6. [1198.
2. The sentiments contained in the reproof — [We are amazed to hear such sentiments proceed from the mouth of a heathen mariner : but we are convinced, that there are much stronger notices of truth remaining in the heart of fallen man, than is commonly supposed. There was not indeed in these people any distinct kn…
422 wordsSECTION 2421198. J Jonah Reproved By The Mariners. 255
[God has given to us, as he did to Jonah, a work to do : and it is a work which we do not naturally affect : we are averse to engage in it : there are some considerations operating in our minds to deter us from it : we think it may expose us to difficulties, which we would gladly avoid ; and subject us to troubles…
483 wordsSECTION 243256 Jonah, I. 6. [1198.
"exceeding great and precious they are;" and then say, whether thou hast any reason to despond. Hadst thou but a perad- venture in thy favour, it were a sufficient reason for all possible earnestness and prayer. That was all the hope which these mariners had. But you have the strongest assurances, of a " God that …
490 wordsSECTION 244Jonah Restored From The Belly Of A Fish.
Jonah ii. 6. Yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, 0 Lord my God. IT is of the highest importance to have seasons of recollection for the more solemn investigation of the state of our souls. Not a day should be closed with- out serious reflections on our conduct through the day. On particular occasion…
328 wordsSECTION 245258 Jonah, Ii. 6. [1199.
deep insight into the human heart. We cannot how- ever stop to enter minutely into his character, or into the diversified lessons which his history would teach us. We shall confine ourselves to two observations, which are of a general nature and of universal im- portance : 1. Rebellion against God will surely bri…
472 wordsSECTION 2461199.] Jonah Restored From The Fish'S Belly. 259
We dwell the less on the historical view of Jonah's deliverance, because we wish you to notice it more particularly as, II. A glorious type — We are always cautious of exceeding the bounds of truth and soberness in the explanation of types. On this account we altogether omit, what some have laid a stress upon, t…
363 wordsSECTION 247260 Jonah, Ii. 6. [1199.
Thus by the resurrection of Christ were the hopes of a ruined world revived. Not only was the ministry of our Lord himself renewed, but all his Apostles also received afresh their commission to preach the Gospel to every creature. Could the Ninevites have foreseen the effect of Jonah's deliverance, how would their…
757 wordsSECTION 248262 Jonah, Ii. 7—9. [1200.
e Ps. xl. 1—3. f Lam. iii. 54—58. s Hos. vi. 1, 2. jonah's reflections in the whale's belly. Jonah ii. 7 — 9. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord : and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their oivn mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee wit…
789 wordsSECTION 249264 Jonah, Ii. 7—9. [1200.
The result of that conviction we shall see in, III. The determination formed — Now would the prophet henceforth praise his God : and, having made vows to God in the hour of his extremity, he would now pay them ; and be a living- witness for God, that " salvation is of the Lord" for every soul that will seek it, h…
679 wordsSECTION 250Repentance Of The Ninevites3.
Jonah iii. 8 — 10. Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth; and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God ivill turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not ? And God saw their works, that…
349 wordsSECTION 251266 Jonah, Iii. 8—10. [1201.
fast; in the observance of which all his subjects cordially con- curred : and so intent were they on a due observance of the day, that all put on sackcloth from the least of them to the greatest, and even the king himself " laid aside his royal robes, and clothed himself in sackcloth, and sat in ashes:" nor did an…
439 wordsSECTION 2521201. J Repentance Of The Ninevites. 267
I must add, too, that your humiliation must resemble theirs — [In a season of affliction fasting is highly proper. We see all the most eminent saints in Scripture having recourse to this under the pressure of any heavy calamity : and, in the history before us, we behold the king, and his nobles, together with all…
465 wordsSECTION 253268 Jonah, Iii. 8—10. [1201.
ten thousand times, and that too by those whom you yourselves acknowledge as appointed of God, to watch for your souls. You have had exceeding great and precious promises also set before you, with most assured declarations from God, that no one of you shall ever seek his face in vain. Say then, whether these Ninev…
427 wordsSECTION 254The Mercy Of God.
Jonah iv. 2. I knew that thou art a gracious God, and mer- ciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. IN the parable of the Prodigal Son, we read of as hateful a character as can well be imagined : it is that of the elder brother, who, instead of uniting with his family in rejoic…
313 wordsSECTION 255270 Jonah, Iv. 2. [1202.
suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty V Here, for one single expression relating to his justice, there is a vast accu- mulation of rich and diversified terms to convey to our minds a just id…
404 wordsSECTION 2561202.1 The Mercy Of God. 271
go to Tarshishf. Commentators have invented I know not how many apologies for Jonah : for instance, that he was actuated by a jealousy for the honour of his own nation: for Nineveh, being a city of Gentiles, he thought that the going to prophesy to them would be to transfer to them an honour due to Israel alone. O…
485 wordsSECTION 257272 Jonah, Iv. 2. [1202.
But, on the very first announcement of the impending judg- ments, they fasted and mourned, and cried mightily to God for mercy1. — They had heard from Jonah nothing but the simple declaration, that in forty days the whole city should be over- thrown. No hope of pardon had been held out to them; no idea had been su…
468 wordsSECTION 2581202.J The Mercy Of God. 273
threatened judgments. And behold how God deals with this daring transgressor ! He calmly asks him, " Dost thou well to be angry11?" And when the sullen rebel goes out of the city, and sits down in earnest hope that he shall see the whole city destroyed, God takes yet further means to convince him that his anger wa…
464 wordsSECTION 259274 Jonah, Iv. 5—9. [1203.
rather take occasion, from what we have seen in him, to humble ourselves before God ; and, from the mercies vouchsafed to him, to adore our God for the mercies vouchsafed unto ourselves.] 2. What encouragement we have to return unto our God — [If there were a mere peradventure only that we might obtain mercy from…
413 wordsSECTION 260Mcciii.
jonah's gourd. Jonah iv. 5 — 9. So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat 1203.] jonah's gourd. . 275 under it in the shadow, till he might see tvhat would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that …
447 wordsSECTION 261276 Jonah, Iv. 5—9. [1203.
[He had preached to the Ninevites, and his word had been attended with such power, that the whole city repented, and turned to the Lord with weeping and with mourning and with fasting. This, instead of exciting gratitude in the heart of Jonah, filled him only with rage ; because he thought that God, in considerati…
472 wordsSECTION 2621203.J Jonahs Gourd. 277
instrument of their deliverance : but love for ourselves, and in- difference about others, always bear a proportion to each other in the mind of man : and their connexion with each other was never more strongly seen than on this occasion.] His inordinate joy at the acquisition of the gourd was more than equalled b…
444 wordsSECTION 263^78 Jonah, Iv. 5—9. [1203.
Thus far our attention has been almost exclusively turned to Jonah : but, that we may bring the matter home more directly to our own business and bosoms, we would suggest a reflection or two, arising out of the subject : 1. What selfishness is there in the heart of man! [One would be ready to account this record …
824 wordsSECTION 264Benefits Arising From The Word Of God.
a Chap. ix. 13, 14. Micah ii. 7. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly ? GREAT and bitter prejudices are often entertained against the word of God ; as though its only tendency was to pervert the judgments of men, and to disturb their repose. Hence, when the word is faithfully ad- ministered, man…
253 wordsSECTION 2651204.] Benefits From The Word Of God. 281
he appeals to them, whether his word would not be a source of unspeakable comfort to them, if they would turn to him aright ? " Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?" We propose to shew, I. Who they are whom the word benefits — Certain it is, that all are not benefited by the word. When it was d…
409 wordsSECTION 266282 Micah, Ii. 7. [1204.
without ever reflecting on what we have heard, we cannot expect to get any good unto our souls. Our Lord has illus- trated this by a man sowing seed by the way-side. Can any one doubt whether the birds will come and take it away? Thus will Satan take the word out of our hearts, if it be not harrowed in by meditati…
463 wordsSECTION 2671204.] Benefits From The Word Of God. 283
upon an obedient frame of mind: "If any man will do my will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of Godm." It is self-evident, that if a man be visited by the most skilful physician in the universe, he can derive no benefit from his prescriptions, unless he follow them. So it is in vain that the Scripture …
418 wordsSECTION 268284 Micah, Ii. 7. [1204.
wounded spirit. Such was the benefit which David experi- enced from the word in his trials0; and such shall be expe- rienced by all who " make it their delight and their counsellor."] 3. It will sanctify us — [The word of God is that which is made the means of our regeneration ; and the same is useful for the carr…
454 wordsSECTION 2691204.J Benefits From The Word Of God. 285
least, in a much greater degree than it now is, and people would be benefited by it in proportion to the strength and clearness of their intellect. But the reverse of this is nearer the truth : for the poor and weak receive the Gospel, while the wise and noble reject it*. And daily experience proves, that the word…
470 wordsSECTION 270Ministerial Fidelity.
Micah iii. 8. Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. TO all God's servants this command is given : " He that hath my word, let him speak my word faith- fully3 ;" and " deliver it they must, whether men will …
338 wordsSECTION 2711205.] Ministerial Fidelity. 287
almost every bosom. " We lean upon the Lord," just as the Jews did ; and persuade ourselves that " no evil shall come upon us." " God is merciful," is a sufficient answer to every threatening contained in God's word. As for his justice, or holiness, or truth, no regard whatever is paid to them : all are superseded…
393 wordsSECTION 272Universal Establishment Of Christianity.
scruple not to say, that to hope for heaven in an impenitent and unbelieving state, is to " make God a liarf" ] Can you, when your self-delusions have ruined you, come back again to rectify your errors ? [Verily, between God and the soul that perishes in its sins, there is a great gulf fixed, a gulf that never can…
421 wordsSECTION 2731206.1 Universal Establishment Of Christianity. 289
the concluding part of it, which is peculiar to Micah. The mode in which the prophecy too is introduced is different. In Isaiah, it is the commencement of a new prophecy ; but, in Micah, it is the continuation of a prophecy of a very different complexion. Micah was a man of singular fidelity and courage. He de- c…
434 wordsSECTION 274290 Micah, Iv. 1—4. [1206.
towards its completion shall be irresistible ; and that the whole shall take place under a 'preternatural and divine influence ; since the natural progress of a river is downward, whereas this shall be upward, to a mountain on the top of other mountains. What a grand idea does this convey ! The natural propensities…
486 wordsSECTION 2751206.] Universal Establishment Of Christianity. 291
the Prophet Isaiah, who characterizes it as " God's judgment which he would make to rest for a light of the people (the Gen- tiles ;) even as his righteousness (or method for making people righteous before him,) and his salvation, for which all the isles shall wait, and in which they shall trustc." St. Paul also ca…
447 wordsSECTION 276292 Micah, Iv. 1—4. [1206.
contrary to his will, he will "rebuke" and subdue. Nothing will be able to withstand his power: " He will work, and who shall let it?" As in former days, when he brought his people out of Egypt, and planted them in Canaan, he made them triumphant over every enemy, so will he do in the day to which we are looking f…
462 wordsSECTION 2771206.1 Universal Establishment Of Christianity. 293
and true holiness : " and look to it, that, in these and all other respects, ye walk worthy of Him who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.] 2. How we may ensure to ourselves all its glorious effects — [The Gentiles, in the latter days, may well be proposed as a pattern for us in the present day. Let an en…
469 wordsSECTION 278The World'S And The Christian'S God Contrasted.
the shadow of death." But were the change far more beyond the reach of human probability than it is, there would be no resason to doubt of its ultimate accomplishment, since Omnipo- tence is pledged to effect it : It shall take place, "for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."] Micah iv. 5. For all people will wa…
652 wordsSECTION 279296 Micah, V. 2. [1208.
[Yes, the Lord Jehovah is his God ; and him alone is he disposed to serve. The Christian sees that Jehovah alone has any claim upon him. As his Creator, his Governor, his Redeemer, and his Judge, Jehovah demands of him all the affections of his soul, and all the services of his life : and he not only accedes to th…
429 wordsSECTION 2801208.] The Messiah To Be Born At Bethlehem. 297
Micah v. 2. Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel ; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. IN estimating the degree of credit due to pro- phecy, we naturally ask, Of what kind the…
471 wordsSECTION 281298 Micah, V. 2. [1208.
him to continue there longer than he had originally expected), the time for Mary's delivery arrived, and, contrary to all human expectation, Jesus was born in the city which had been specified by the Prophet Micah seven hundred years before. Thus, whilst the decree of Caesar shewed that " the sceptre was now just…
405 wordsSECTION 2821208.] The Messiah To Be Born At Bethlehem. 299
marked with such a variety of evidence as this. First, it was enrolled in the public records of Bethlehem, in consequence of Caesar's edict. Next, it was attested by an angel announcing it to the shepherds as they were guarding their flocks by night. Next, this testimony was confirmed by a host of angels, who cele…
500 wordsSECTION 283300 Micah, V. 2. [1208.
a dominion as no mere creature ever can exercise. He came to establish his throne in the hearts of men, and to bring their very thoughts into captivity to his holy will. And this empire he has established over millions of the human race, even over the whole Israel of God, in every age, and every place. To all of t…
442 wordsSECTION 2841208.] The Messiah To Be Born At Bethlehem. 301
decisive terms ; " Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever ; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom8."] 2. In the New Testament — [Our blessed Lord himself frequently speaks of his pre- existent state. To Nicodemus he speaks of himself as having come down from heaven, and as actually existing in …
477 wordsSECTION 285302 Micah, V. 2. [1208.
[How wonderful is it that such love should ever be shewn to the children of men! that the Son of God, " Jehovah's fel- lowp," who was " one with the Father," " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person"5," who " was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God…
437 wordsSECTION 286Stability And Extent Of Christ'S Kingdom.
Micah v. 4. He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God ; and they shall abide : for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. OF whom the prophet speaks, there can be no doubt. The preceding context indisputably refers to the Lord Jesus Christ a Til…
409 wordsSECTION 287304 Micah, V. 4. [1209.
From its first establishment, the prophet goes on to speak of, II. Its subsequent preservation — [From the first instant that the establishment of Christ's kingdom was announced, it was assailed from every quarter. The question asked by the eastern Magi was, " Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" And insta…
434 wordsSECTION 288Christ Our Peace In Trouble3.
1. Let the kingdom of our Lord be welcomed by you— [Verily his subjects are happy; for " his yoke is easy, and his burthen light." Not so the subjects of sin and Satan. No: " they are in sore bondage: for the way of transgressors is hard." Submit ye then, Brethren, to his sceptre : " obey his voice; for God's nam…
341 wordsSECTION 289306 Micah, V. 5. [1210.
from it, is obvious and indubitable ; it is none other than this, that Jesus Christ is the one source of peace to his people, under all their calamities, temporal or spiritual b. Christ then will be the peace of his Church, I. Under all temporal calamities — God may, for wise and gracious reasons, suffer his peo…
438 wordsSECTION 2901210.1 Christ Our Peace In Trouble. 307
rate enemy would suffer us to be at peace ; or whether if we were to make all the sacrifices that his ambition could dictate, he would not speedily find some fresh pretext for insult and exaction? No; we are unanimous in our conviction of the un- avoidableness of war ; unanimous too in our determination to maintai…
478 wordsSECTION 291308 Micah, V. 5. [1210.
before us. It is repeatedly applied to Christ in the New Testament, as marking out with precision the very place where he should be bornk. In explaining it therefore as referring to his spiritual kingdom, we cannot err. The enemies of God's people of old were typical of those spiritual enemies with which his peop…
421 wordsSECTION 292The Jews A Blessing To The World.
like manner we also may go forth with confidence against all our enemies, saying with him, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me8."] 4. By the inviolableness of his promise — [To all his people is that word addressed, " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee*? " And can we find one instance …
373 wordsSECTION 293310 Micah, V. 7. [1211.
in the land of Zabulonb, but in Bethlehem Ephratah, which was in the land of Judahc. The establishment of his kingdom over the face of the whole earth was farther predicted d; and not only is the final restora- tion of the Jews to a participation of it declared6, but their agency in the conversion of the Gentile w…
403 wordsSECTION 2941211.] The Jews A Blessing To The World. 311
2. To bring them to repentance — [In this present world the judgments which God inflicts are all intended for good. It was " for their good " that God sent his people into captivity in Babylon"1: and for their good he has now scattered them over the face of the earth. The punishment inflicted on Levi for his cruel…
411 wordsSECTION 295312 Micah, V. 7. [1211.
as they were when embodied in the land of Canaan ? Other nations, that have been subdued and carried captive, have been blended at last with the inhabitants of the countries where they sojourned; but the Jews still, as formerly, " dwell alone" in the midst of the earth, as it was foretold they should do*. Hence th…
499 wordsSECTION 2961211.1 The Jews A Blessing To The World. 313
2. As instruments in his hands to dispense his blessings to the world — [The dew that floats in the air, and the clouds that are carried over the surface of the globe, are unconscious of the end for which they are sent ; but they perform the most in- valuable offices for the sons of men. In like manner the Jews a…
488 wordsSECTION 297314 Micah, V. 7. [1211.
of men, will bear down all before them, like another Pente- cost, and produce, as it were, a resurrection from the deadd. " Then shall the heathen fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth his glory e:" and then shall be literally fulfilled those words of the prophet, " A nation shall be born in a …
491 wordsSECTION 2981211.] The Jews A Blessing To The World. 315
upon him is aggravated in a ten-fold degree. O! how shall we escape? If such things were done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? If such judgments have been exe- cuted on them, what must be the end of us, if ive obey not the Gospel of Christ ? Brethren, I entreat you never to look upon a Jew, withou…
495 wordsSECTION 299Mccxii.
Eden, and this desert as the garden of the Lordm." We look for such a season both among Jews and Gentiles : and may we not expect it also amongst ourselves ? Yes surely : if we were all, ministers and people, to unite our efforts for this end, God would be with us; our labour should not be in vain": children shoul…
738 wordsSECTION 300318 Micah, Vi. 2, 3. [1212.
Viewing now the court assembled, let us hear, II. The pleadings opened — [Here is evidently an accusation implied ; namely, God has both injured us, and even " wearied" us, by his oppressive conduct: and to this the Almighty, standing as a defendant before the court, answers, by challenging inquiry; and, with con…
658 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.