PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 10 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,947 words · 591 reading sections
318 Micah, Vi. 2, 3. [1212.
1212.] god's controversy with his people. 319 the moral evil of sin. Only let it be considered what sin is, and against whom it is committed, and its turpitude and malignity will be found perfectly to justify the judgments denounced against it. If there be any other matter which mine accuser has to lay to my char…
478 wordsSECTION 302320 Micah, Vi. 2, 3. [1212.
which your great adversary, the Devil, has given, and at the efforts which he has made for your destruction ; and see how I have preserved you in the midst of all ; " from Shittim," where the counsels were given, " to Gilgal," in the very land of your inheritance. Look at these things, and then say, whether thine …
926 wordsSECTION 303The Sum Of Practical Religion.
r Job i. 22. s Jer. ii. 5. * Jer. ii. 31. u Rom. xii. 1. x John xii. 48. y Rom. iii. 4. z 1 John ii. 1 . a Rom. iii. 21, 22. »> Rom. iii. 25, 26. c Eph. i. 0. Micah vi. 6 — 8. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bote myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, ivith calves of …
397 wordsSECTION 3041213. J Tiie Sum Of Practical Religion. 323
from Balak and Balaam : but Balak had no such wish to please God : on the contrary, he wanted nothing so much as to destroy his people : and Balaam ex- pressed no such solicitude to lead Balak to a holy life ; but, on the contrary, taught him how to ruin the souls of God's people, by tempting them to an illicit i…
426 wordsSECTION 305324 Micah, Vi. 6—8. [1213.
no wish : they rest in external services ; and substitute them in the place of an inward change of heart, and a thorough con- version unto God. And though we are not shocked at such views, as we are at the proposals of the Jew, yet are they, in fact, as derogatory from the Divine honour, and as unsuitable to the e…
452 wordsSECTION 3061213.1 The Sum Of Practical Religion. 325
Truth in our words, and integrity in our actions, are so essen- tial, that a man may as well call himself an angel as a Christian, if he be allowedly defective in either. An adulterous Christian, or a murderous Christian, is not a greater contradiction in terms, than a lying Christian or a dishonest Christian. Hear…
510 wordsSECTION 307326 Micah, Vi. 6—8. [1213.
dependence on his grace to help us, and his mercy to pardon our defects. Without this, our attention to relative duties will be of no avail. This chiefly distinguishes the true Christian from a proud self-righteous Pharisee. There certainly are people of the world, who are eminent for their honour and integrity, t…
460 wordsSECTION 308Prayer Our Great Preservative.
acceptance ? " and in answering this important question, there are two things against which you must guard with equal care, namely, a self-righteous dependence on your own works, and a presumptuous hope of salvation, while you live in any known sin, whether of commission or of omission. Nothing but Christ's obedie…
379 wordsSECTION 309328 Micah, Vii. 7. [1214.
hear me :" that is, the more others depart from God, the more will I seek his face. From these words I shall take occasion to shew, I. In what circumstances the godly are placed — St. John expresses in one word all that can be said : " We are of God ; and the whole world lieth in wickedness d." To the same effect…
472 wordsSECTION 3101214.] Prayer Our Great Preservative. 329
come in contact with them, the more you are pained by them; " the best of them proving as a brier, and the most upright of them as a thorn-hedge g:" insomuch that he is really the hap- piest man who has least dependence on, or, except in a very distant way, communication with, his fellow-man. Such was the state of…
458 wordsSECTION 311330 Micah, Vii. 7. [1214.
Lord, and to look to him for " strength according to his day." And, if the Lord should not instantly impart all the succour he could desire, he would " wait for the Lord," and tarry his leisure, and expect from him all that an indulgent Father can bestow. Here is the line of conduct which all the godly must pursue…
520 wordsSECTION 3121214.] Prayer Our Great Preservative. 331
thy judgment as the noon-day0." God may not indeed inter- pose precisely at the time, or in the manner, that our impatient minds may dictate: but, " though he tarry long, he will come at lastp ;" and in the event will surely shew himself " mighty to save." "Wait, then, on the Lord, every one of you; and be of good…
473 wordsSECTION 313Address Of The Jewish Church To Her Enemies.
rather congratulate the saint, and say, " Blessed is the man whose God is the Lord!" Seek him, then, as your reconciled God in Christ Jesus ; and then all things are yours : " whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come ; all are yours ; and ye are Chr…
368 wordsSECTION 3141215.1 The Jewish Church To Her Enemies. 333
which he wrought for them when he brought them out of Egypt3: and it is their privilege to be looking forward to that period, with earnest and assured ex- pectation of the blessings prepared for them. In the prospect of that period, the Jewish Church is repre- sented by the prophet as consoling herself with the r…
385 wordsSECTION 315334 Micah, Vii. 8—10. [1215.
promised to them so long ago, and who, but for their wicked- ness, would have come to them at the appointed time : and they submit to the dispensations of God towards them from this very consideration, that they are not yet in a state fit to receive his promised mercies. This is a favourable circum- stance for the…
451 wordsSECTION 316Learn,
this period the believing Jew may look forward with confi- dence, assured that his present degradation shall be more than equalled by his future exaltation8.] But if we would improve this passage aright, we must consider, II. The lessons it teaches to the Church of God in all ages — The Church of Christ bears a …
391 wordsSECTION 317336 Micah, Vii. 8—10. [1215.
[However severely God may see fit to chastise his people, there are two things which he gives them for their support ; namely, a sense of his presence with them in their affliction, and the prospect of a happy issue out of it. They may, by reason of his dispensations, " sit for a time in darkness : but he will be …
525 wordsSECTION 318The Mercy Of God.
verified in all its extent; " Behold, my servants shall eat; but ye shall be hungry : behold, my servants shall drink ; but ye shall be thirsty : behold, my servants shall rejoice ; but ye shall be ashamed : behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart ; but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and howl for vex- a…
391 wordsSECTION 319338 Micah, Vii. 18—20. [1216.
At this time the Jews are destined to act an important part, as God's instruments for the conversion of the Gentiles, (ver. 7.) and for the subjugation of all opposers, (ver. 8, 9.) In the chapter before us, he represents, in moving terms, the Jews anticipating this period, (vii. 8 — 10.) Then, confirming this exp…
579 wordsSECTION 320340 Mic Ah, Vii. 18—20. [1217.
god's mercy, as reserved for the jews. Micah vii. 1 8 — 20. Who is a God like unto thee, that par- doneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the rem- nant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again ; he will have compassion upon us ; he will …
1,131 wordsSECTION 321342 Micah, Vii. 18—20. [1217.
d Mic. iv. 6, 7. e Mic. iv. 10. f Mic. iv. 11—13. g Mic. iv. 2—4. cut offh." Now, in this passage we have a complete summary of all that shall take place in that day. The whole world of Jews and Gentiles shall be converted to Christ ; but the Jews shall lead the way, and be God's honoured instruments for bringing…
754 wordsSECTION 322344 Micah, Vii. 18—20. [1217.
'The things which are so indispensable to our happiness, thou hast of thine own mercy decreed to give. Though we have so provoked thee to anger by our unparalleled iniquities, yet "wilt thou turn again, and have compassion upon us;" subduing for us the sins which have led us captive, and "cast- ing into the very d…
693 wordsSECTION 323344 Micah, Vii. 18—20. [1217.
» Jer. 1. 20. 3 [-5 1217.1 god's mercy, as reserved for the jews. of it ever failed. No, blessed Lord ; to the final accomplish- ment of thy promises we look with unutterable joy. And, when we are once arrived at that promised land, the heavenly Ca- naan, O ! what wonders of truth and faithfulness shall we have …
486 wordsSECTION 324346 Micah, Vii. 18—20. [1217.
sang, " Who is like unto thee, O God, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ?" should we not labour, that more elevated songs of praise should be poured forth to him on account of that infinitely greater deliverance reserved for them ? I call upon you, then, to unite in this blessed work. I call …
660 wordsSECTION 325God A Revenger Of Sin.
Nahum i. 2, 6. God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord tvill take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth tvrath for his enemies .... Who can stand before his indignation ? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? MEN have such ideas of God's mercy, that…
261 wordsSECTION 3261218. J God A Revenger Of Sin. 349
give it the consideration it deserves. Let us, then, consider, I. The description here given of the Deity — God is " a jealous God" — [He has a claim to our undivided allegiance, and to all the affections of our souls. And when he sees how prone we are to set our affections on the creature rather than on him, it …
444 wordsSECTION 327350 Nahum, I. 2,6. [1218.
face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." The great day of his wrath being come, who shall be able to standf?" The wrath of man has been sus- tained, even when it raged to the utmost extent of human ingenuity to inflict pain : but who can sustain the wrath of God? The soul, aided by …
444 wordsSECTION 3281218.] God A Revenger Of Sin. 351
2. Abide not in unbelief — [God has provided a Saviour for you, even his only dear Son; who_has, by his own obedience unto death, effected a re- conciliation for you; and " has committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation;" so that we are not only authorized, but commanded, to say to all of you, without except…
510 wordsSECTION 329God A Refuge In Time Of Trouble.
remnant of his heritage; for he retaineth not anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy2." And if the description of him in my text be true, you shall find that true also which is added in the seventh verse, " The Lord is good, a strong-hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."] z Mi…
325 wordsSECTION 3301219.1 God A Refuge In Time Of Trouble. 353
[" He is good ;" every way " good ;" and appears to be so in all that he has ever done. His works of creation were all, after an attentive survey of them by the Divine Artificer, pro- nounced to be " very good." In the course of so many thou- sands of years there never has been found one single instance in which a…
528 wordsSECTION 331354 Nahum, I. 7. [1219.
good, but that his goodness, no less than " his greatness, is unsearchable."] We have a further insight given us into the cha- racter of God, II. In the provisions of his covenant — [Sin has brought misery along with it : and since the first introduction of sin into the world, " man is born to trouble as the spa…
480 wordsSECTION 3321219. J God A Refuge In Time Of Trouble. 355
[" He knoweth those who trust in him ; " not merely as distinguishing them from others, but as feeling towards them the most affectionate regard: (in this sense the word " knoweth" is frequently usedg.) He views them with the tenderest sym- pathy and compassion, being " touched with a feeling of all their infirmit…
468 wordsSECTION 333Mccxx.
serve him, trust in him, and delight ourselves in him! O, be- loved, let your hearts ascend to him, and your souls be devoted to him, as the occasion demands. Is he "good?" praise him for his goodness. Is he " a strong-hold?" flee to him, and dwell continually in him. Does he " know those who trust in him?" let hi…
354 wordsSECTION 3341220.] Proper Improvement Of God'S Mercies. 357
counsellor," Sennacherib, should comed. Then, in Jehovah's name, he addresses himself to the Jewish nation, to certify them, that, however greatly this formidable enemy should harass and distress them, they should be freed from his yoke6. Then he ad- dresses more immediately Sennacherib himself, and declares that…
358 wordsSECTION 335358 Nahum, I. 15. [1220.
Isaiah with a more direct reference to that eventk. Nor is this idea founded in conjecture ; for St. Paul, quoting the words of both the prophets, applies them directly to the proclaiming of salvation to the Gentile world1. If then the prophet mingled these two events, well may we do so too ; and from contem- plat…
615 wordsSECTION 336The Holiness Of God.
Hab. i. 13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. MEN do not sufficiently contemplate the character of God. The Psalmist, speaking of some in his day, says, " These things thou hast done ; and I kept silence : and thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself3.…
251 wordsSECTION 3371221.] The Holiness Of God. 361
which, above all others, is celebrated in heaven0 and in which God is pre-eminently glorious d." But not to enumerate passages expressive of this truth, let one suffice : " Thou art not a God that hath plea- sure in wickedness : neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou ha…
446 wordsSECTION 338362 Habakkuk, I. 13. [1221.
subjects slain. What further proof can any man desire of God's irreconcileable abhorrence of all sin ?] 2. In a way of mercy — [When the whole human race were involved in Adam's guilt and misery, God could no more look upon them with the smallest measure of complacency. Before he could cast an eye of love upon so…
453 wordsSECTION 3391221.1 The Holiness Of God. 363
sensible of our transgressions, and were humbled before God on account of them ! To hope for mercy without deep contrition is in vain. We might as well hope that God should cease to exist: for whilst he continues a holy Being, he never can behold but with anger an impenitent transgressor. He tells us plainly, that…
495 wordsSECTION 340Our Duty In Reference To The Promises.
Hab. ii. 3. The vision is yet for an appointed time ; but at the end it shall speak, and not lie : though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come ; it will not tarry. AS there is no one so secure, but he may fall, so there is no one in so low and afflicted a condition, but God may have mercy in reserve…
322 wordsSECTION 3411222.] Duty In Reference To The Promises. 365
There is a time fixed in the Divine counsels for the accomplishment of every promise — [The promises of God often have respect to a very distant period : yet that period is fixed ; nor can it be either accele- rated or delayed. The time for Christ's incarnation, though not revealed from the beginning, was appointe…
480 wordsSECTION 342366 Habakkuk, Ii. S. [1222.
II. Our duty with respect to them — As " we know not the times or seasons which the Father has reserved in his own power/' it becomes us to wait, 1. In humility — [We can claim nothing at the hands of God. If he were to deal with us as he did with the fallen angels, we should have no more than our desert. The mo…
404 wordsSECTION 3431 222.1 Duty In Reference To The Promises. 367
have not many promises suited to our necessities. Should we not then treasure them up in our minds ? Should we not plead them at a throne of grace ? Should they not be to us " a light shining in a dark place ? " Let us study the word of God with an especial view to the promises ; for it is by them that we are to b…
389 wordsSECTION 344Faith And Unbelief Contrasted.
Hab. ii, 4. Behold, his soul ivhich is lifted up is not upright in him : but the just shall live by his faith. THE sense of these words is not very obvious. In truth, the sense of them, as standing in the context, and as quoted in the New Testament, is so different, that we need examine them with great care, in or…
340 wordsSECTION 3451223.] Faith And Unbelief Contrasted. 369
him, should be saved by him with an everlasting salvation. Now, if an uninspired man had put this construc- tion upon the passage, we should consider the inter- pretation as forced. But when an inspired Apostle, not once or twice only, but repeatedly, quotes this passage in this very sense ; and not in an inciden…
386 wordsSECTION 346370 Habakkuk, Ii. 4. [1223.
not upright in him." Here he marks the evil of un- belief in its nature, as the fruit of pride and hypocrisy ; and in its tendency, as leading to destruction. Let us notice, then, the evil of it, 1. In its nature — [Persons would fain have it thought, that their unbelief arises from want of evidence : but in whom…
473 wordsSECTION 3471223.] Faith And Unbelief Contrasted. 371
and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life." Now, if this life be in the Lord Jesus Christ, how can we receive it, if we believe not on him ? We put it away from us : we do in fact say, ' I will not have life : if God will not save me in any other way, I will not be saved at all.' This is what our blessed …
499 wordsSECTION 348372 Habakkuk, Ii. 4. [1223.
the truth, he is put into possession of all those blessings which a proud, unbelieving hypocrite can never attain.] 2. It issues in salvation — [" The just shall live by his faith." At the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the believers availed themselves of a favourable moment, and fled to Pella, and escape…
462 wordsSECTION 349God Greatly To Be Feared.
or not: and the final judgment will assuredly be in conformity with it. Do not then trifle. Remember how much you have at stake. Lose no time. Hear the threatenings of God, and tremble at them: and listen to the promises of God with lively gratitude and humble confidence. Bear in mind the issue of things with resp…
350 wordsSECTION 350374 Habakkuk, Ii. 20. [1224.
[He is there as the Creator of all, the Governor of all, the Judge of all. Idols are the work of men's hands : but men themselves, together with every thing in the whole creation, are formed by God; who, by a single expression of his will, called them all into existence, and upholds them all by the word of his pow…
522 wordsSECTION 3511224.1 God Greatly To Be Feared. 875
according as it is said, " The Word was with God, and was God, and was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us." The ex- pression here used has a direct reference to the tabernacle, which was a type of Christ's humanity: He was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us, as in a tabernacle*-, and on that very account he is called …
431 wordsSECTION 352376 Habakkuk, Ii. 20. [1224.
whatsoever pleaseth him ;" "nor will he give account to us of any of his matters." Nor should we for one moment rise against any of his dispensations. However dark or trying they may be, we should say, " It is the Lord : let him do what seemeth him good." In truth, his dispensations are frequently ordered for this…
465 wordsSECTION 3531224.] God Greatly To Be Feared. 377
are "Atheists in the world V But what impiety is this! yea, and what folly too ! If, indeed, we could withstand his power, there were some kind of excuse for us: but "will our hands be strong in the day that he shall deal with us? or can we thunder with a voice like his ?" Alas ! we must assuredly stand at his jud…
485 wordsSECTION 354A Revival Desired.
Hab. iii. 2. O Lord, revive thy work ! THE ministry of the Prophet Habakkuk seems to have been contemporaneous with that of the Prophet Jeremiah. He foretells the judgments which should be executed on the Jewish nation by the Chaldeans; and the fearful recompence which should come on the heads of the Chaldeans by…
344 wordsSECTION 3551225.] A Revival Desired. 379
expect from God's hands the most signal interpositions in their favour. For their present dispersion is not more unfavourable than their oppression in Egypt ; nor are the manifestations of God's favour, which we look for in their behalf, more glorious than those which were vouchsafed to them at the Red Sea, and on…
469 wordsSECTION 356380 Habakkuk, Iii. 2. [1225.
advanced to middle life, how often do we see reason to deplore the loss of those ardent affections which once glowed in our souls! "The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire of other things," have beguiled us, and caused a painful declension within us ; so that we have need par- ticularl…
479 wordsSECTION 3571225.] A Revival Desired. 381
lasting joy shall be upon their head : they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee awayf."] Application — 1. Inquire now, I pray you, what is the state of God's work within you ? [Has he ever yet wrought effectually in your souls ? Has he ever brought you out of bondage to the world, an…
382 wordsSECTION 358The Christian'S Boast.
Hab. iii. 17, 18. Although the Jig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls ; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my sa…
341 wordsSECTION 3591226.] The Christian'S Boast. 383
[In possessing God, he enjoys a suitable good, an all- sufficient good, and an everlasting good ; he has that which fully satisfies the desires of his soulb which makes him regardless of all his wants or trials c and which is un- changeable, no less in its operation than its existence Hence he determines to rejoic…
426 wordsSECTION 360384 Habakkuk, Iii. 17, 18. [1226.
Christian is sometimes favoured : it is represented as " un- speakable and glorified*."] 3. An independent character — [Others, if bereft of earthly supports, are reduced to extreme distress : the Christian may be deprived of all exter- nal comforts, and still the source of his happiness will remain entire. He ca…
393 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.