PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 10 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,947 words · 591 reading sections
The Secure And Atheistical Condemned.
Zeph. i. 12. It shall come to pass at that time, that I icill search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees ; that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. SUCH was the state of the Jews for a long time previous to the Babylonish captivity, that the…
281 wordsSECTION 362386 Zephaniah, I. 12. [1227.
amongst them, are to be found in no less degree amongst us also : and the judgments that were de- nounced against them shew what reason we also have to dread the displeasure of God. In confirmation of this truth, we will consider, I. The characters here described — Such we behold in every place ; persons sunk in,…
432 wordsSECTION 3631227.1 Tiie Secure And Atheistic Condemned. 387
indeed, they hear him denounce many threatenings against the ungodly : but they will not believe that he will execute them. They hear him, too, promising many things to his humble and obedient people : but they cannot persuade themselves that he will fulfil them. They imagine that he has, as it were, " for- saken …
452 wordsSECTION 364388 Zephaniah, I. 12. [1227.
language of the heart, as if it had been manifested by ten thousand acts. Let this be duly considered. We may deceive others, and we may deceive ourselves : but we cannot deceive our God; for " he knows the things that come into our mind, every one of them."] 2. That however innocent they may suppose their state …
454 wordsSECTION 3651227.^ The Secure And Atheistic Condemned. 389
selves as sinners redeemed by the blood of God's only dear Son ; and then say, whether a life of carnal security and atheistical presumption be such an one as your condition calls for? Look into the Scriptures, and see whether you can find any countenance for such a life, either in the commands of God, or in the e…
517 wordsSECTION 366Repentance Urged.
he not lift up the light of his countenance on the poor and needy ? Does he not shed abroad his love in the heart ? Does he not give the witness of his Spirit to the soul, and seal it unto the day of redemption ? On the other hand, does he not hide his face when you become remiss, and leave you to feel what " an e…
408 wordsSECTION 3671228.] Repentance Urged. 391
together" for the purpose of national humiliation, and repent, before the threatened judgments come upon them. And, if they in their national capacity will not hear his voice, he bids the meek and contrite among them to abase themselves, that they at least may be preserved amidst the general wreck. A similar exho…
407 wordsSECTION 368392 Zephaniah, Ii. 1—3. [1228.
forth," there will be an end of all possibility of obtaining mercy to all eternity. "As the tree falls, so will it lie" for ever and ever. O, then let all of you "gather yourselves together," and, as the word also imports, "search yourselves," ere it be too late. For your immortal souls' sake, repent, I beseech you…
465 wordsSECTION 3691229.] Recompence For Our Neglect Of God. 393
more advanced Christian, it is that of humility. Job was a " perfect" man before his sufferings; but, after them, his attain- ments in grace were exceedingly enlarged; and then it was that he " abhorred himself in dust and ashes." Do ye also aspire after perfection in every grace ; but learn most of all to "lothe …
295 wordsSECTION 370394 Zephaniah, Iii. 7, 8. [1229.
Zeph. iii. 7, 8. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou tvilt receive instruction ; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them : but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey. IN great national calami…
485 wordsSECTION 3711229.] Recompence For Our Neglect Of God. 395
his judgments might well be expected, not only on account of the peculiar protection which has been afforded us, but on account of the transcendant advantages which we enjoy in the knowledge of God's word, and the ministration of his Gospel b And now, I ask, was not this expectation reason- able? and is not that c…
435 wordsSECTION 372396 Zephaniah, Iii. 7, 8. [1229.
And well may the misconduct of these orders be more dis- tinctly noticed, since on them depends, in so great a degree, the state of all the other classes of society. If all ministers would preach the Gospel with fidelity, and exemplify its holy pre- cepts in their lives ; and if our princes and nobility would take …
395 wordsSECTION 3731230.] The Poor Living By Faith. 397
will be our state, if " God pour upon us his indignation, even all his fierce anger ! " Let us not indulge in presumptuous security. Who that had been told a few years ago that either the ancient capital of the Russian empire, or that of the British empire, would before this be certainly destroyed by fire, would h…
314 wordsSECTION 374398 Zephaniah, Iii. 12. [1230.
Zeph. iii. 1 2. / will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people ; and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. THE Lord's people have in every age been a mere remnant, in comparison of the great mass of mankind. At the time of the deluge they were confined to Noah and his family. In the patri…
472 wordsSECTION 3751230.]] The Poor Living By Faith. 399
word, and " heard him gladly," whilst the Scribes and Pha- risees almost universally rejected him. Affliction too is not unfrequently associated with poverty in the Lord's people : for it is rarely that any man will turn truly unto the Lord, till affliction of some kind or other has prepared his heart, and " plowe…
467 wordsSECTION 376400 Zephaniah, Iii. 12. [1230.
amply testify, as the Epistles do also, that the followers of Christ have been treated as " the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things ;" and experience proves that they are so regarded even to this day. The increase of civilization, and the protection afforded by human laws, prevent the same cruel-…
477 wordsSECTION 3771230.1 The Poor Living By Faith. 401
formidable then your enemies may appear, remember, that " your Redeemer also is mighty ;" and that, " whilst God is for you, none can with any effect be against you."] 3. His love to overrule every thing for good — [God has promised to his people that " all things shall work together for their good." How the good …
477 wordsSECTION 378Mccxxxi.
2. Let the religion of the heart be more and more cultivated — [We are far from undervaluing religious acts: they are excellent, as fruits of the Spirit, and as evidences of a lively faith. But it is the religion of the heart that must be our first concern ; since till the tree be made good, it is in vain to hope …
385 wordsSECTION 3791231.] Thankfulness For God'S Mercies. 403
part of it, he launches forth into a subject more congenial with his feelings, and announces, both to the Jewish and Gentile world, that God had designs of love towards them, and would incorporate them all in one blessed society, and restore them all- to his favour. In the address which I have just read to you he…
413 wordsSECTION 380404 Zephaniah, Iii. 14, 15. [1231.
But, to enter more distinctly into this subject — [Three things are here predicted as grounds of unutterable joy: First; Their enemies shall all be cast out; next, The Sa- viour, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall dwell in the midst of them; and lastly, There shall be an utter end of their troubles. Their enemies shall …
763 wordsSECTION 381406 Zephaniah, Iii. 14, 15. [1231.
But we must not confine the prophet's address to the Jews : whilst it was delivered to them in a way of anticipation, it was delivered also, II. To us immediately in a way of congratulation — It is in reference to converts from among the Gentile world that the prophet says, " Then I will turn to the people a pure…
653 wordsSECTION 3821231.] Thankfulness For God'S Mercies. 407
1 Eph. iii. 17. m Eph. v. 30. » 1 Cor. vi. 17. 0 John i. 14. p 2 Cor. iii. 18. enabled by him so to " comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of his unsearchable love, as to be filled by means of it with all the fulness of Godq." In a word, " He lives in you, and is your very life r;" and fr…
505 wordsSECTION 383408 Zephaniah, Iii. 17. [1232.
of spirit I recommend to you : and, if only that be preserved, your joy can never be too exquisite, nor your praises too devout ] Application — [But do these congratulations belong to all of you, my brethren ? Must I not rather say to many of you, " Be afflicted, and mourn, and weepk?" Many, I fear, have never s…
273 wordsSECTION 384Mccxxxii.
god's delight in saving sinners. Zeph. iii. 17. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty : he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy : he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. HOW wonderful are these expressions, as uttered by Jehovah himself, in reference to such a worthless an…
559 wordsSECTION 385410 Zephaniah, Iii. 17. [1232.
power of his might," and "nothing shall be impossible unto youV] 3. His delight in saving — [You may see in the parable of the prodigal son, what are the feelings of Jehovah towards returning penitents. But if that convey not an adequate idea to your minds, call to mind the image under which God has condescended …
580 wordsSECTION 386Consideration Of Our Ways Enforced.
Hagg. i. 2 — 5, 12. Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, This people say, TJie time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste ? Now therefore thus …
278 wordsSECTION 3871233.] Consideration Of Our Ways Enforced. 413
with diligence, his blessing shall be visibly poured out upon them3. In discoursing on this subject, we will notice, I. The conduct reproved — They had begun to build the temple about sixteen years before ; but having been stopped by an edict from Artaxerxes, they had desisted, and had attended only to their own…
367 wordsSECTION 388414 Haggai, I. 2—5, 12. [1233.
2. In reference to the temple which is to be erected in our own hearts — [Believers are " temples of the Holy Ghost :" Christ dwells in their hearts by faith : " the Father too dwelleth in them, and they in him :" and such temples all of us are called to be. But when persons of every description are urged to cons…
420 wordsSECTION 3891233.] Consideration Of Our Ways Enforced. 415
[" Consider your ways." Twice is this repeated by the prophet0: and repeatedly should it be urged on all who are guilty of the conduct before described. " Consider your ways," in order to your humiliation. Look back, and see, how highly criminal they have been. The more fully you call them to remembrance, and the …
450 wordsSECTION 390416 Haggai, I. 2—5, 12. [1233.
[" The remnant of the people," from the highest to the lowest, all obeyed the voice of the Lord, and of the prophet whom he had sent unto them. They all began to " fear the Lord," and in little more than three weeks actually commenced the work to which they were called s. O that such a change also might be wrought…
481 wordsSECTION 391Christ The Desire Of All Nations.
Again : Will it not be a bitter subject of regret to you in a dying hour, that the day in which you might have worked is passed away ; and that the night is arrived when no man can work ? To all then, I say, in the name of the Most High God, " Consider your ways." Consider the evil of them, that you may see your …
355 wordsSECTION 392418 Haggai, Ii. 7. [1234.
appearance in the flesh. Christ is here properly called " the Desire of all nations'1" — Many in all nations do desire him — [The Jews, by means of their captivities, or flight, were scattered through the Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, and other empires, and since the establishment of Christianity there are Christi…
416 wordsSECTION 3931234. J Christ The Desire Of All Nations. 419
[Though many of the sacred vessels were restored to the Jews by Cyrus, there was much that was irrecoverably lost. The Shechinah, the bright cloud, the symbol of the Deity, was withdrawn : the ark, with all that it contained, was missing? : the urim and thummin, or breast-plate, whereby the high-priest discovered …
458 wordsSECTION 394Integrity Of The Soul Enjoined.
Hagg. ii. 1 1 — 14. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts ; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy ? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that…
812 wordsSECTION 395422 Haggai, Ii. 11—14. [1235.
and yet, if impenitent and unbelieving, be consigned over to everlasting perdition. We may have the tongues of men and angels, and have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and have faith so that we can remove mountains, and bestow all our goods to feed the poor, and even give our …
468 wordsSECTION 3961235.] Integrity Of The Soul Enjoined. 423
II. For the regulating of our conduct, as to the prac- tice of it — You will observe in the text the figure, and the truth contained in it. Now both of these are instruc- tive, in reference to practical religion : 1. From the figure we may learn to take heed to our communications — [It is a far easier thing to c…
467 wordsSECTION 397424 Haggai, Ii. 19. [1236.
[Solomon's advice is good : " Keep thy heart with all dili- gence; for out of it are the issues of life r." It is lamentable to think how much there may be amiss within us, whilst the external conduct is correct ; yea, and whilst religion appears to have the chief ascendent over us. Truly, it becomes us to " searc…
274 wordsSECTION 3981236.] God Recompenses Our Works. 425
Hagg. ii. 19. From this day will I bless you. MEN, when they see so great a disparity in the states of their fellow-men, are apt to imagine that there is an inequality in the ways of God. But " God's ways are equal," both in the dealings of his providence, and in the dispensations of his grace3. True, indeed, thi…
558 wordsSECTION 399426 Haggai, Ii. 19. [1236.
the time of your first awakening, with the same accuracy as the laying of the first stone of the temple was marked (" the 24th day of the 9th month"), you would be able to say with certainty, " From that day God has blessed me" Supposing, then, that we have been truly converted to God, let us, II. Consider the an…
357 wordsSECTION 400An Exhortation To Turn To God.
only on your own business, and be concerned only to please yourselves, how can you expect that God should bless you ? " Consider, I pray you," whether they who serve not their God can reasonably hope for the same portion as his faithful ser- vants shall enjoy r. I will be content that you shall judge this matter f…
516 wordsSECTION 4011237. J An Exhortation To Turn To God. 429
selection of so plain a subject, (from which nothing can be offered which is not already familiar to all your minds,) proceed to call your attention to this solemn address : in which you may notice, I. A friendly exhortation — The Jews, after their return from Babylon, had been extremely remiss in rebuilding thei…
406 wordsSECTION 402430 Zechariah, I. 3—6. [1237.
and believing penitent whom he cast out ; or find, if you can, any limit to his mercy and grace. In " turning unto us" is implied not only a reversal of all the judgments which he had purposed to inflict upon us, but a communication of all that a Father's love, and a Saviour's grace can bestow — pardon, and peace,…
440 wordsSECTION 4031237.] An Exhortation To Turn To God. 431
than he followed Christ : and whereinsoever they deviate from the path marked out for them by Almighty God, there we must choose the more perfect way, and adhere exclusively to that which unerring wisdom has prescribed to us, knowing no other rule than that of God's commands. Doubtless in dubious matters we would …
440 wordsSECTION 404432 Zechariah, I. 3—6. [1237.
them out? In like manner, if we could go into the invisible world, we should there see, what now we are so unwilling to believe, that not so much as one jot or tittle of God's word has ever failed. Of the unregenerate, not one has entered into the kingdom of God; and of the impenitent and unbelieving, not one has …
448 wordsSECTION 405God The Avenger Of Sin.
Zech. i. 5. Your fathers, ivhere are they ? THE preachers of God's blessed word have in all ages had reason to complain, " Who hath believed our report ?" True it is, that a faithful ministration of the Gospel is, to a certain degree, approved : but it is also true, that the approbation given to it is very differ…
317 wordsSECTION 406434 Zechariah, I. 5. [1238.
Have those of former generations been able to protract their existence beyond the period allotted to them by Almighty God ? [No : however little they might think of death, they were overtaken by it ; and, in the appointed season, fell beneath its stroke. Neither the people, nor the prophets who ministered unto th…
428 wordsSECTION 4071238.] God The Avenger Of Sin. 435
Let us next notice the question, II. As a solemn admonition — Their fathers had been disobedient, and had de- spised the warnings of Jehovah : but they were. made to feel his righteous indignation, and to acknowledge that he had dealt with them according to their deserts0. In this view the question has the force …
478 wordsSECTION 408436 Zechariah, I. 5. [1238.
to the contrary : and perhaps in our whole lives we never had the suggestion seriously proposed to us in reference to any departed soul, "Where is he?" To entertain a doubt of the happiness of any, would be deemed uncharitable in the ex- treme. But, be it known to you, that, however the wheat and the tares may res…
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all seriousness at this time. Suppose, by disease or accident, we had been removed, as many others have been who were once as likely to live as we ; where should we have been at this moment? Shall we reply, "I do not know?" What! Have we lived twenty, or perhaps twice twenty, years, in the world, and left it still…
457 wordsSECTION 410Mccxxxix.
Christ's intercession for Jerusalem. Zech. i. 12, 13. Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, 0 Lord of Hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jeru- salem and on the cities ofJudah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with m…
747 wordsSECTION 411440 Zechariah, I. 12, 13. [1239.
c Compare Gen. xxxii. 24 — 30. with Hos. xii. 3 — i>. See also Josh. v. 13 — 15. d Zech. xiii. 7. Whilst we contemplate this intercession for the Jews at that period, how strongly are we reminded of our duty towards them at this time, when they have borne the indignation of Jehovah, not for seventy, but seventeen …
664 wordsSECTION 412440 Zechariah, I. 12, 13. [1239.
From hence we may see, 1. What encouragement we have to pray for our own souls — [Alas ! in what a low state is even the Christian world ! Scarcely, if at all, are the generality of Christians in a better condition than the Jews themselves : the same neglect of God, the same worldly and carnal habits, the same in…
262 wordsSECTION 413442 Zechariah, Ii. 5. [1240.
comfortable words does the Gospel contain ! What exceeding- great and precious promises are there made to every true peni- tent ! Will Christ ever cast out one of this description ? Never. Is there to be found so much as one single word in all the Bible that should prove a source of discouragement to such a charac…
368 wordsSECTION 4141240.] God The Protection Of His People. 443
Zech. ii. 5. /, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of Jire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. IF some of the prophecies of Zechariah be dark and intricate, some are peculiarly clear. Such is that in the close of the preceding chapter, respecting "four horns, and four carpenters;" — "the h…
452 wordsSECTION 415444 Zechariah, Ii. 5. [1240.
But it has a further reference to that Church in the latter-days — [Their future restoration will be opposed with far greater vehemence and malignity than it was after the Babylonish captivity. Great and mighty nations will come against them, to destroy them0. But then will God be a wall of fire round about them;…
436 wordsSECTION 4161240.] God The Protection Of His People. 445
has been renewed to us; yea, and is renewed at this very moment, if we had but eyes to see it. There are chariots of fire, and horses of fire, round about us : and it is through their incessant and effectual interposition that no enemy has been able to prevail against us. There is not one of us that is not a witne…
472 wordsSECTION 417Mccxli.
sets himself to seek the Lord. Where shall we find one who has not many difficulties to contend with ; and that too, not only from avowed enemies, but from professed friends. But here we are, this day, monuments of God's tender care ; and, I would hope too, of his effectual grace. Let us not overlook this great tr…
762 wordsSECTION 418448 Zechariah, Ii. 8, [1241.
c Zech. i. 15. and ii. 6—8. d Acts vii. 34. e Judg. x. 16. f Jer. xxxi. 18—20. g 2 Cor. i. 3. and vii. 6. h Isai. Ii. 22. 1 Ps. ciii. 13. k Isai. lxvi. 12, 13. restrained ? doubtless thou art my father, though Abraham be ignorant of me, and Israel acknowledge me not1."] This truth, glorious as it is, is far from …
768 wordsSECTION 419450 Zechariah, Ii. 8. [1241.
Infer — 1. How low are our conceptions of God's love to man ! [How little are any of us able to realize the idea in the text! how little can we comprehend the heights and depths of such unsearchable love! Still is he dealing with us as with his people of oldc. Yet we, like little infants, are almost un- consciou…
580 wordsSECTION 420The Restoration Of The Jewish Church Predicted.
Zech. iii. 1 — 5. And he shewed me Joshua the high-priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Ms right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan ; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee : is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ? Now…
365 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.