PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 10 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,947 words · 591 reading sections
512 Zechariah, Xi. 8. [1256.
View it, where it first commenced : 1. On man's part — [Ungodly men neither seek to please Godb, nor are at all grieved at having displeased himc: they like not to speak, hear, or even think of himd; they cannot endure (a melan- choly proof of their aversion to him!) to be with him alone e ; they hate every thing…
442 wordsSECTION 4821256.1 Abhorrence Between God And Sinners. 513
what proofs that he even lothes and abhors all the workers of iniquity q !] But, notwithstanding this mutual enmity, the Gospel shews us, II. How it may be turned into mutual love — . There is, in truth, but one way in which reconcilia- tion can be effected between God and sinners. Yet we may not unprofitably di…
433 wordsSECTION 483514 Zechariah, Xi. 12, 13. [1257.
[We may suppose that, because our enmity against God is the ground and reason of his aversion to us, our love to him is the ground and reason of his love to us. No : if we love him, it is because he first loved us y. Were it not that he of his own mere mercy vouchsafed to send us his grace, we never should have ou…
261 wordsSECTION 484The Contempt Poured On Christ.
Zech. xi. 12, 13. And 1 said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter : a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potte…
546 wordsSECTION 48551 6 Zechariah, Xl 12, 13. [1257.
should afterwards be accomplished by the Jews of later days in reference to their Messiah. How exactly it was accomplished, the New Testa- ment will inform us — [When Judas conceived the design of betraying his Lord, he bargained with the chief priests, who offered him this pre- cise sum, thirty pieces of silver,…
427 wordsSECTION 4861257.] The Contempt Poured On Christ. 517
place, the presence of a potter, the circumstance of his having a field of the precise value to sell, with various other circum- stances, were all, as we should call them, accidental : but God foresaw all, and fore-ordained to accomplish his own will by means of all. And this shews us how God's decrees respect- in…
440 wordsSECTION 487518 Zechariah, Xl 12, 13. [1257.
in reference to him ; because it has been a matter of indiffer- ence to us, whether we possessed an interest in him or not. For earthly things we could consume the midnight oil, or encounter perils and fatigues : but an hour spent in prayer, in our secret chamber, has been a labour too irksome for us to endure. Wh…
507 wordsSECTION 4881257.1 The Contempt Poured On Christ. 519
away with indignation, as unworthy his acceptance, and fit only for the purchase of a potter's field.] Address — 1. Those who are indifferent about Christ — [Can it be so, that there should be any found of this description ? Alas ! they constitute the great mass, not of the heathens only, but of those who name th…
447 wordsSECTION 489520 Zechariah, Xl 12, 13. [1257.
loved this present world"1." Who that had beheld the Galatian converts, so full of love to the Apostles, that they would have " plucked out their own eyes, and given them to him," would have expected to find them afterwards so " bewitched" through the influence of false teachers, that they " accounted him their en…
508 wordsSECTION 4901258.] Means Of Evangelical Repentance. 521
Be on your guard, I pray you, against his devices. He can now, as well as formerly, " transform himself into an angel of light, and make his ministers to appear as the ministers of righteousness x." But I appeal to all, whether the listening to " questions and strifes of words" does not divert the mind from Christ…
360 wordsSECTION 491522 Zechariah, Xii. 10. [1258.
Zech. xii. 10. I ivill pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of sup- plications : and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterne…
498 wordsSECTION 4921258.] Means Of Evangelical Repentance. 523
and because it is through his agency alone that we are able to pray. And this Spirit Christ will " pour out" upon us. He not only has a right to send the Holy Spirit, as being God equal with the Father, but in his mediatorial capacity he is authorized and empowered to send forth the Spirit, " having received of th…
451 wordsSECTION 493Christ, The Fountain Opened.
standing we have so much cause to weep day and night for our sins, and are really desirous to do so, we can rarely, if ever, bring our souls to any measure of tenderness and grief. But let us look more at Christ as dying for us ; and not confine our attention, as we too often do, to our sins. Let us particularly b…
665 wordsSECTION 494526 Zechariah, Xiii. 1. [1259.
e The meanest Christian is more enlightened than the greatest of the prophets, Luke vii. 28. f He is the root as well as the offspring of David, Rev. xxii. 16. s There was a brazen sea, above fifty feet in circumference, and almost ten in depth, wherein the priests were to wash their hands and feet : there were al…
500 wordsSECTION 4951260.] Christ Smitten For Our Sins. 527
[Tf men could be saved in their sins, why was this foun- tain opened ? Would God have given up his Son to death without necessity ? or shall they who neglect the fountain be cleansed like those who wash in it ? Let none deceive their own souls : to wash in this fountain is the one thing need- ful. They who cry wit…
312 wordsSECTION 496528 Zechariah, Xiii. 7. [1260.
Zech. xiii. 7. Awake, 0 sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts : smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered : and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. THIS is generally thought to be the beginning of a distinct prophecy : yet it seems not only to…
417 wordsSECTION 4971260."] Christ Smitten For Our Sins. 529
by his father in order to turn you to God : " Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts." In discoursing on these words we shall consider, I. The commission given to Jehovah's sword — It is bidden to " awake and smite :" but here two questions arise ; 1. …
448 wordsSECTION 498530 Zechariah, Xiii. 7. [1260.
Let us next inquire into, II. The grounds and reasons of this commission — It was the Father's purpose to exercise mercy to- wards our fallen race : but he would do it in a way that should be consistent with his own perfections. Hence he gave us his only-begotten Son to be our substitute and surety : and against …
420 wordsSECTION 4991260.1 Christ Smitten For Our Sins. 531
The immediate effect was the scattering of our Lord's disciples — [One would have thought that our Lord's more intimate disciples, who for above three years had heard all his discourses, and seen all his miracles, would have firmly adhered to him, even to the end ; more especially as they had promised, in the mos…
455 wordsSECTION 500532 Zechariah, Xiii. 7. [1260.
Such were intended to be the effects of our Redeemer's death : " He suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God :" and to God he will bring us ; so that " of those whom the Father hath given him, not one shall be lost."] Improvement — Let us take occasion from this prophecy, 1. To admire the …
598 wordsSECTION 501Mcclxi.
god's method of dealing with his people. Zech. xiii. 9. I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried : they shall call on my name, and I will hear them : I will say, it is my people ; and they shall say, The Lord is my God. AFFLICTION …
271 wordsSECTION 502534 Zechariah, Xiii. 9. [1261.
[Perhaps the text may refer to that period when the Christian Church was to be delivered from the destruction which was coming on the Jewish nation. At that time they were very numerous in Judaea, and might, in general terms, be represented as a " third part." But in every age and place they have been comparativel…
653 wordsSECTION 503534 Zechariah, Xiii. 9. [1261.
Nor is this happy state a little promoted by his trials. When he is long at ease, he is too apt to relax his exertions, and to rest in a cold and carnal frame : but afflictions drive him to his God, and necessitate him to wrestle in prayer till he obtains the desired aidd.] 2. Confidence before God — [God is unsp…
272 wordsSECTION 504536 Zechariah, Xiii. 9. [1261.
Address — 1. Those who are but little conversant with trials — [Doubtless it is a mercy to be free from troubles, because " they are not joyous at the present, but grievous." But what do you find to have been the effect of this exemption ? Have you not, like Jeshurun, " waxed fat and kicked?" "When you have eaten…
456 wordsSECTION 505Promote It.
Zech. xiv. 7. It shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. IN the writings of the prophets, there are, as might be expected, many things difficult to be understood. Yet, even when a passage, in respect of its full im- port, is involved in the deepest obscurity, there may be some things perfectly…
337 wordsSECTION 506538 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
appearance in behalf of his people : and when, accord- ing to general expectation, increasing darkness might rather be expected to ensue, then shall light arise in God's Church, and his purposes respecting it be accomplished. For the purpose of confirming this interpretation of the passage, I will first consider …
348 wordsSECTION 5071262.] The Conversion Of The Jews. 539
this way they have found that mercy which their souls desired. Nor is this process observed only at the first con- version of men to God. The saints are sometimes permitted, through the violence of temptation, to fall into the very depths of despondency. What can be conceived more distressing than the state of As…
382 wordsSECTION 508540 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
captivity. Yet there was not even then an end put to their troubles : on the contrary, their danger be- came speedily more imminent than ever. Though they went forth out of Egypt, they soon found them- selves enclosed by mountains and morasses on either side of them ; by the sea before them, and by the Egyptian a…
380 wordsSECTION 5091262.] The Conversion Of The Jews. 511
But from the Jewish, let us turn our attention to the Christian Church ; for in the establishment of that, also, we shall see the same truth illustrated with peculiar force. Behold the Founder of this Church riding triumphant into Jerusalem, amidst the accla- mations and hosannahs of the multitude, and you will t…
373 wordsSECTION 510542 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
II. In reference to the period more especially described. The declaration, that " in that day the Lord shall be king over all the earth ; and that there shall be one Lord, and his name One ;" clearly shews, that the period referred to has not yet arrived. From the very time when the prophecy was delivered, to the …
379 wordsSECTION 5111262.~| The Conversion Of The Jews. 543
disgrace to the religion which they have professed to honour. What has the Society0, which has now ex- isted a dozen years, effected in their behalf ? There has been no want of zeal in them, or of liberality in the public ; and what have they done, but waste the public money in unprofitable speculations ? This is …
377 wordsSECTION 512544 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
never before been attempted for circulation amongst tbe Jews — the translation of the New Testament into pure Biblical Hebrew. It is well known, that the Jews will not read the Christian Scriptures in the vernacular languages of the countries where they dwell ; but it was hoped that they would read it in the lang…
369 wordsSECTION 5131262.] The Conversion Of The Jews. 545
have, in many instances, been most kindly received by the Jews ; who, instead of rejecting the offer of the Hebrew Testament, as in the preceding objec- tions is supposed, have most gladly and thankfully received it ; and, indeed, have expressed the most ardent desire to obtain it. They have shewn a great willing…
383 wordsSECTION 51451<3 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
redemption " in Jerusalem, and ready to welcome his arrival ; and there were some actually converted to the faith of Christ by the ministry of John the Bap- tist. And is there not a general expectation amongst the Jews at this time, that the Messiah is near at hand ? Yes ; and in a degree that has not existed bef…
369 wordsSECTION 5151262.1 The Conversion Of The Jews. 547
pulling down of strong-holds, and casting clown ima- ginations, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Whether they shall all continue steadfast unto the end, I pretend not to say ; for, after the most eminent saints recorded in Scripture have fallen, I know no man under heaven res…
388 wordsSECTION 516548 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
Discourse, I would address myself somewhat more fully to this part of my subject. And if, in doing this, I should trespass somewhat longer than usual on your time and patience, I trust that the importance of the subject will plead my excuse, and be kindly received by you as an apology. To the first and most commo…
399 wordsSECTION 5171262.] The Conversion Of The Jews. 549
these two passages, we may be well assured. The question is, how to reconcile them ? In order to this, I would observe, that, in my apprehension, the word ' fulness ' is not to be understood of a complete and universal change in either case, but only of the com- mencement of the two periods referred to. The com- …
375 wordsSECTION 518550 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
were, at the first establishment of Christianity y. That it is to be wrought by human means, and not by miracle, is clear from those injunctions which the Prophet Isaiah has given us : " Go through, go through the gates : prepare ye the way of the people : cast up, cast up the highway: gather out the stones: lift…
382 wordsSECTION 5191262.1 The Conversion Of The Jews. 551
graffed, contrary to nature, into a good olive-tree ; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive-tree b ?" If, notwithstanding these assertions, any one still think that the low estate of the Jews is a just cause for despairing of success in our efforts with them, be …
389 wordsSECTION 520552 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
and we would have all, of every rank, and every class, to co-operate with us in the performance of itd. Not very different from this is the objection arising from a disapprobation of some parts of the plan adopted by the Society. Some do not approve of the education of Jewish children; because, as they think, it o…
415 wordsSECTION 5211262.] The Conversion Of The Jews. 553
this plan has been abandoned, in compliance with what appeared to be the general wish : though it may well be doubted, whether we have not thereby rendered the gate of heaven more strait than God ever designed it to be : for the first converts, when cast off by their former friends, were not left to perish with h…
370 wordsSECTION 522554 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
white already to harvest." But, were it not so, shall it be said that little has been done, when a work has been sent forth into the world which, since the first promulgation of Christianity, was never before attempted; and which, of all the works that ever can be conceived, is the most likely to be effectual for…
373 wordsSECTION 5231262.1 The Conversion Of The Jews. 555
you so long, I will mention but one objection more ; and it is this : / will wait and see what others do, before I will commit myself as a friend and patron of this Society. But, if all proceed on this plan, how is any thing to be done ? If the thing be good, we should aid it, even though no one else should either…
391 wordsSECTION 524556 Zechariah, Xiv. 7. [1262.
distinguished for rank or talents than Moses, who was " learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians," and, in the first court at that time in the universe, was in- ferior only to the king himself? yet did he not merely condescend to patronize that injured people, but, at the peril of his own life, he espoused their…
430 wordsSECTION 525558 Zechariah, Xiv. 9. [1263.
Christ's reign on earth. Zech. xiv. 9. The Lord shall be King over all the earth : in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. UNDER the Jewish dispensation, the saints looked forward to the first coming of our Lord ; at the pro- spect of which, though at the distance of two thou- sand years, Abraham e…
672 wordsSECTION 526558 Zechariah, Xiv. 9. [1263.
1263. J Christ's reign on earth. 559 thine onlye." An entire subjection of the soul to Christ is a very rare attainment. But in that day there shall be none to " say, Lord, Lord, without doing the things which he com- mands." Hypocrisy will then be banished from the world ; and all who are called Israel, will be "…
442 wordsSECTION 527560 Zechariah, Xiv. 9. [1263.
of their wound"." At present, our views of Christ are obscure: we see him only as a shadow, or, at the best, only "as in a glass darkly :" but then " we shall see him eye to eye," and, as it were, face to face0. The grace also that shall accompany this knowledge will be proportionably enlarged. Exceeding beautiful…
475 wordsSECTION 528The Feast Of Tabernacles.
against him be cast down ; and every thought and desire of your hearts be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.] 2. To promote its establishment throughout the world x — x Here may be an exhortation, suited to the occasion, and to the particular circumstances of the case at that time. Zech. xiv. 16 …
363 wordsSECTION 529562 Zechariah, Xiv. 16—19. [1264.
instead of the multitudes of gods that are now worshipped, " there shall be but one Lord, and his name one3." By the Mosaic law there were appointed three great feasts, for the observance of which all the males in Israel were to go up to Jerusalem: these were the feast of the Passover, the feast of Pentecost, and …
487 wordsSECTION 5301264.1 The Feast Of Tabernacles. 563
In order to discover what event there is, which the prophet had in view, and which, either by itself, or in connexion with Christ's first advent, corresponds with the feast of Tabernacles, and which moreover calls for such distinguished honour in the latter day ; we must examine the whole preceding context. The pr…
517 wordsSECTION 531564 Zechariah, Xiv. 16—19. [1264.
his first and second advent will more strongly appear, and the authoritative injunction respecting the observance of that feast ivill be more fully accounted for. Could we make up our minds to this point, it must be confessed it would throw great light on the passage before us ; because this feast would then have t…
451 wordsSECTION 5321264.] The Feast Of Tabernacles. 565
care has God taken of us, from the first moment that we came into the world ! How many millions of the children of men have never attained to our age, or had such blessings multiplied to them as we ! And if we speak of our souls, we must know all the devices of Satan himself, before we can estimate aright the care…
505 wordsSECTION 533566 Zechariah, Xiv. 16—19. [1264.
3. A self-denying surrender of our whole selves to God — [It was no little act of self-denial, for the whole nation to leave their houses, and live in booths (not in tents of canvass, as we are apt to imagine ; but in booths, made of the branches of trees) for seven days every year. In truth, this ordinance was s…
481 wordsSECTION 534The Millennial Glory.
help not forward, to the utmost of our power, this glorious consummation, of which their deliverance from Egypt was but a faint shadow ! Truly, God calls us to enter into the subject with our whole hearts, and to help it forward with our whole souls. " Thus saith the Lord : Sing with gladness for Jacob : shout amo…
386 wordsSECTION 535568 Zechariah, Xiv. 20, 21. [1265.
be such high degrees of holiness as have never yet been generally found in the Church of Gode. By " the bells or bridles of the horses" may be meant the ornaments of horses, not merely of those used in war, but rather of those used for common purposes, whether of labour or pleasure. On them shall be in- scribed "…
379 wordsSECTION 5361265.] The Millennial Glory. 569
difficulty extirpated at last. At this time too there are in the Church many who dishonour their holy profession ; nor can the tares be in any tolerable degree separated from the wheat ; but at that day "Jerusalem shall be altogether holy1/' and in the Lord's highway no unclean thing or person shall be found k. …
362 wordsSECTION 537570 Zechariah, Xiv. 20, 21. [1265.
II. The effect which it produces, in proportion as its influence is felt — " It bringeth forth fruit in all the world :" and that fruit is of the richest kind, even as the fruit of Para- dise itself. In the last day it will operate in its full extent : and now, if we cordially embrace it, 1. We shall regard all t…
341 wordsSECTION 538572 Malachi, I. 2, 3. [1266.
Mai. i. 2, 3. I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us ? Was not Esau Jacob's brother ? saith the Lord : yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau. THE scope of this prophecy is, to reprove the Jews for their impiety, after their re-establishment in their own land, especially for their ne…
708 wordsSECTION 539572 Malachi, I. 2, 3. [1266.
b After the war, during the French Revolution. c See Rom. ix. 16. 1266.] SOVEREIGNTY OF GOd's GRACE. 573 me, " the whole counsel of God." Yes, verily, " many kings and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard th…
492 wordsSECTION 540574 Malachi, I. 2, 3. [1266.
By many, it is supposed, that, to speak of an interest in God's electing love, must necessarily be an indication of the most insufferable pride. But who, I would ask, are lifted up with pride ; those who acknowledge every blessing to be the unmerited gift of God ; or those who imagine that God has had respect to s…
718 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.